The past few months have been jam-packed with excitement here at The PumpHouse, so we thought we’d compile a list of six notable achievements, events, and upgrades that have happened recently. Take a read!

1. Our wonderful friend Alan Reekie has been awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for services to performing arts governance! Alan always has a cheery smile and an amusing anecdote at the ready and is a much-loved member of The PumpHouse team. He has been Secretary of our Trust Board from 2007, then Treasurer from 2011 to 2014, being made a Life Member in 2018. He’s also been involved in the North Shore Performing Arts Society since the 80’s in similar roles – all as a volunteer!
   You can read the full QSM citation here.
2. We held an open day in May to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of The North Shore Theatre and Arts Trust which administers The Pumphouse Theatre. People came and enjoyed some delicious kai, interesting market stalls, exclusive back-stage tours, and entertainment from singers, dancers, musicians, and even a pirate!
3. Continuing the 50th-anniversary celebrations, we held an evening at the theatre for members of the PumpHouse community to acknowledge their contributions and the love they’ve put into our wonderful theatre. Among the attendees were original Friends of The PumpHouse – Ruth Ell, Genevieve Becroft, and Angela Antony (pictured below). We ended the evening with a staged play reading of Peg Escott’s play “Saved”. Peg was an integral part of the team that saved The PumpHouse from demolition and lay the foundations for what would become a vibrant hub for the performing arts.
4. We have a brand new jetty area! Auckland Council’s Contractors have been hard at work to make the jetty area a more accessible, appealing space – and my oh my is it APPEALING! Our bet is that it will be a favourite lunch spot for many over the warmer months. It also makes for a picture-perfect spot in front of the theatre. Thank you to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for the much-needed work on this area. Iron pipes that helped supply the North Shore with water more than 100 years ago were also rediscovered during the work and will be kept in place for the public to view. You can read more about the pipes here.
5. Love is in the air at The PumpHouse! On Saturday 19th June, Comedian and Magician Jarred Fell proposed to the woman of his dreams during his performance on our stage in front of a sold-out crowd! …She said yes! Congratulations Jarred & Ashlee!
6. A few shows that were on at The PumpHouse in 2020 won awards for their efforts in the ACTT Awards. The winners were announced earlier in the year, and have just recently been handed out. Foolish Wit Theatre and Shoreside Theatre were among the production companies that won some exciting awards. Pictured below is Jenn Onyeiwu with her Best Female Actor award for her outstanding performance in The Vagina Monologues, with director Meg Andrews (yes, the Meg Andrews writing this blog post! ?)