Our 2026 AGM was a warm reminder of why our theatre, and the arts in general, mean so much to the North Shore community. Next year, The PumpHouse will be celebrating 50 years of being a theatre – a massive achievement!

Theatre icons such as our Patron, Sir Roger Hall and industry legend, Simon Prast were present. Auckland Councillor Richard Hills also attended and shared encouraging words about the arts. We are so grateful for his unwavering support for The PumpHouse Theatre.

Business Manager James Bell painted a vivid picture of the year gone by, celebrating a season of many spectacular sold-out shows, and the excellent collective achievements of his team. James reiterated the precarious nature of arts funding, and how much The PumpHouse now relies on sponsorships and donations.

Likewise, PumpHouse Board Chairperson, Fiona McMillan spoke beautifully and honestly about the financial challenges of running an arts institution, and our team’s collective perseverance through these struggles to ensure we keep theatre alive.

During the evening, our exciting new sponsorship programme was introduced. Watch this space for more details about how you can support The PumpHouse as a sponsor and supporter!

Simon Prast was our guest speaker for the night, and WOW! He left us feeling inspired and immensely grateful to be part of the Tāmaki Makaurau theatre industry. He spoke of his incredibly interesting and rich history in the Auckland scene, and the early days of starting up Auckland Theatre Company. In recent years, Simon has become a huge part of the PumpHouse whānau, directing many entertaining productions at our theatre, including the recent success The Queen’s Nanny presented by Tadpole Productions. What an irreplaceable icon he has been and continues to be in the theatre world.

We farewelled our wonderful board members, Margie Hart and Peter Baird, who have served 30 years combined on The PumpHouse Board. To celebrate them and their mahi further, we wanted to feature them in this blog with a cute Q&A about their time here. Enjoy!

What first inspired you to get involved with The PumpHouse Theatre, and what has kept you coming back over the years?

Margie: I first performed at The PumpHouse in about 1975 in a Music Hall, with North Shore Operatic Society (NSOS). There was no green room or changing rooms then, so my husband brought up his green shed (we had a building company) and put it across where French Rendez-vous is now to change in – all in together. It poured during that production and we had to run madly from the shed to the stage, trying not to get drowned. I was in several shows on stage for approximately 10 years at that stage at the PumpHouse, including Flappers, another Music Hall, Mikado, The Gondoliers, Man of La Mancha, Camelot, Sweet Charity and South Pacific. Others – and I was MD for some of those.
I played for some of my singing teacher’s pupils during the North Shore Competitions there and then took over being Musical Director for many shows – my biggest orchestra was 23 during Camelot – and I had many bands as MD for years.

Peter: In 2014 I was approached to join The PumpHouse Theatre board by the then Chair Peter Burn and committee member Margie Hart (both being close friends of mine for many years).

Looking back on your time on the Board, what is one moment, achievement or project that you’re particularly proud to have been part of?

Margie: I think the fundraising for the toilets was one of the biggest things we did during my time – it was a very expensive build and totally necessary, as I’m sure you will agree. Also, the Canopy, which is a wonderful accessory, and the new seats have been great additions. No doubt there will be more things to come.

Peter: I am particularly proud to think that I was one of several PumpHouse Friends who were instrumental in progressing and completing The PumpHouse canopy that provides protection from the weather and is an area that is available for multiple uses.

The PumpHouse has changed a lot over the years. What changes have you seen that have been especially meaningful to you?

Margie: The French Rendez-vous is a really good addition to the theatre experience and has improved out of sight over the last few years in particular. Going to the theatre is now a ‘proper night’ out and part of the experience. Also upstairs – that was a mess back then and couldn’t be used originally – and no dressing rooms. Having a proper bar now – we always had a bar which I usually organised, but of course we made the money from it then for NSOS. It was a temporary affair in the same place as now. We always made quite a lot, and I had a lot of helpers from the Society I rostered on.

Peter: In the 1970’s I was in the chorus line of a number of North Shore Operatic Society musicals that were produced and directed by the late John Antony. Facilities such as changing rooms, etc were basically non-existent, but we all coped with these problems, and as they say, “the show must go on”.

Is there a particular person, performance, moment or memory from your time at The PumpHouse that you’ll always carry with you?

Margie: I guess because I love singing, I particularly loved Jackie Clarke’s shows she has done; she is a marvellous entertainer. Also Tina Cross and Jane Horder in that wonderful concert they did a couple of years back with Carl Doy. But we’ve had some fantastic plays, love the Agatha Christie plays (a big fan of hers) and Tadpole has made a huge difference with their plays. The person I particularly remember is John Antony, who became a very dear friend (joined Operatic in 1970 as did I), and he directed and I was MD for a huge number of his shows, all of which were performed at The PumpHouse. He was the one who co-opted me onto the Board, I think about 2007. He also formed Tadpole with Louise Wallace, which we are very lucky to have as our resident theatre.

As you step down from the Board, what do you hope for The PumpHouse and its future over the next 50 years?

Margie: I am quite sure the current trustees will make sure The PumpHouse is well managed into the future. I am very sorry to be leaving, but think it is time for younger blood to govern and I can only hope all of you current staff stay as I think you are doing a fantastic job, Meg and Mark. Mags is wonderful as community engagement officer, and James is doing really well at filling in all our gaps left by Tim Bray and making sure things run smoothly. And Tash of course too. I hope the years ahead see our theatre full for all the seasons and becomes really well known on the Shore but in Auckland too – there is no doubt that it is becoming better known and I hope the word will spread.

For me, The PumpHouse has been a huge part of my life, as you can probably see, so I will very much miss being an integral part of its running, but I am sure I will be there as much as possible in the future to see the shows. I will miss you all very much.

Peter: Today The PumpHouse Theatre is a highly professional entity, and for the immediate future I envisage the current board and staff continuing with their good work.