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Festivals

Gloria: A Landmark Trans-Tasman Collaboration Honors Douglas Wright's Legacy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts is proud to announce Gloria as a signature event, a landmark trans-Tasman collaboration honoring the late Douglas Wright. Presented by The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) and Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia, Gloria restages Wright's iconic masterpiece, first seen at the Festival in 1992, alongside two bold new works. As part of the Festival's 40th anniversary celebrations in 2026, this event pays tribute to one of Wright's seminal works while embracing the future of contemporary dance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gloria is a signature event for the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, presented by The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) and Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia.
  • The event honors the late Douglas Wright, one of New Zealand's most revered choreographers, and his iconic masterpiece, first seen at the Festival in 1992.
  • The triple-bill programme features Gloria, a powerful and joyous affirmation of the human spirit, alongside two bold new works: A Moving Portrait by Co3's Founding Artistic Director Raewyn Hill, and Lament, a moving reflection on resilience and memory by New Zealand Dance Company's Artistic Director, Moss Patterson.
  • The event is a tribute to Wright's legacy and an opportunity for audiences to experience his seminal work alongside bold new creations by Hill and Patterson.
  • The performance will premiere at Wellington's St James Theatre from Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 March as part of the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.
  • The Festival's full programme will be announced in November.

Statistics:

  • 34 years since the original performance of Gloria was last seen at the St James Theatre.
  • The 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts is the 40th anniversary celebration of the Festival.
  • 3 performances of Gloria will take place at Wellington's St James Theatre from Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 March.
  • The event is a collaboration between The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) and Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia, with performances by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Voices New Zealand conducted by Dr Joseph Nolan.
  • The event will feature 3 new works: Gloria by Douglas Wright, A Moving Portrait by Raewyn Hill, and Lament by Moss Te Ururangi Patterson.

Sources:

  • Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts
  • The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC)
  • Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia
  • Megan Adams from The Estate of Douglas Wright

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