We’re Bringing Glide Time Back for its 50th Anniversary in 2026

We’re beyond excited to share that in 2026, Phoenix Theatre will be staging a very special production: Glide Time by Sir Roger Hall, the iconic Kiwi comedy that first hit the stage in 1976.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, we’ll be bringing this much-loved play to life at The PumpHouse Theatre from 18 September to 2 October 2026. It’s a huge privilege to mark this milestone and honour the work of one of New Zealand’s greatest playwrights.

Set in a 1970s government office, Glide Time is packed with razor-sharp wit, brilliantly observed characters, and laugh-out-loud moments that still feel just as relevant today. If you’ve ever worked in an office, or dodged doing too much in one, you’ll feel right at home.

As Sir Roger himself recalled to The Spinoff, there was a time when “everyone” watched Gliding On, the television series based on Glide Time that ran from 1981 to 1985.

He’s not wrong, this story is a huge part of the fabric of Kiwi culture. We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Playmarket and Sir Roger Hall for allowing us the opportunity to produce this very special piece. Yes, it’s over a year away, but we hope announcing it now shows just how much it means to us. We’ve got big plans.


Before Then… Come and See The Pink Hammer

While Glide Time is one to look forward to, there’s still plenty happening right now at Phoenix. Opening this October is our second production of the year: The Pink Hammer by Michelle Amas, another brilliant Kiwi comedy that’s as warm as it is funny.

Set in a Palmerston North workshop, the story follows four very different women who sign up for a carpentry course, only to find the tutor has vanished and her gruff husband, Woody, left holding the hammer. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and packed with punchy dialogue and unexpected friendships.
Tickets are on sale now at The PumpHouse Theatre - come and see what we’re building!

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