2022 was the year we produced our first theatrical show, with a semi-staged production of The Judgment of Paris. It’s also the year we revived the Restoration art form, the Semi-Opera.

Cloverton: In Love & In Wine, the ground-breaking new show by period performance company The Queen’s Closet, is a new piece of musical theatre that transcends time. Our show is a modern re-imagining of the semi-opera, an art form iconic to 17th century London. Cloverton is the first new semi-opera written in over 300 years, fusing music of Henry Purcell with a contemporary libretto written by Dave Armstrong.

The Queen’s Closet was delighted to welcome you to the fictional provincial town of Cloverton, and more specifically the Cloverton Arms garden bar, where five ordinary young Kiwis—who could easily be someone who you know—pour their hearts out about their lives: waxing and agonising on their hopes, fears, aspirations, and relationships using contemporary words and 300-year-old songs. Their stories are witty and fun, wistful and tragic, fused with Purcell’s music that is rousing, thought-provoking and soothing for characters and audience alike.

Contemporary New Zealand theatre, and music of the seventeenth century.

Henry Purcell’s music as you will never have heard it – played with cutting edge historical performance practice, in a uniquely contemporary context for Aotearoa New Zealand.

This show has now concluded, but keep an eye out for more innovative productions!