Kate Sheppard rock musical comes home

WORDS: Rosemary Baird IMAGES: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Marking 130 years of women's suffrage in Aotearoa New Zealand, this year Showbiz

Christchurch is putting on rock musical That Bloody Woman in the Christ’s College auditorium, 5–15 July. It is a unique opportunity for Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House to team up with Showbiz

Christchurch and share Kate’s story.

From its humble beginnings in a tent at the 2015 Christchurch Arts Festival, That Bloody Woman became a nationwide sell-out smash hit. Now in 2023, Showbiz have gathered a talented and diverse cast to share this story with new audiences.

For Helen Osborne, Property Lead at Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House, it is an exciting collaboration. “We hope that Showbiz’s production will bring a new wave of interest in our most celebrated suffragist Kate Sheppard.”

That Bloody Woman is a great entry point for audiences to learn about how Kate Sheppard, and New Zealand achieved a world first – women being granted the vote in 1893. “The show uses some creative licence to emphasise how ground-breaking Kate really was,” says Helen.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has made Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House, accessible to the

Showbiz production team and cast as they prepare to put Kate’s story on the stage. Showbiz General Manger Craig Ogilvie says, “We are incredibly lucky that the team at Kate Sheppard House has such in-depth knowledge of Kate’s story. They have been an amazing resource for our cast and crew to call upon for inspiration. We look forward to utilising the house for upcoming photo shoots, events and display opportunities to support our efforts in promoting the show.”

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Director Southern Region, Christine Whybrew, hopes that Showbiz’s generous promotion of Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House will inspire people to visit. “When people come here, they discover further layers of nuance in Kate’s story. And we get so many comments about the special atmosphere of the beautiful house and gardens.”

To find out more about That Bloody Woman, visit showbiz.org.nz

Information about Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House, can be found at visitheritage.co.nz n