Jim Henson Retrospectacle

Live In Concert

Bret McKenzie, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and a collective of much-loved characters, come together for a once-in-a-lifetime tribute to Jim Henson’s musical legacy

Live in Concert

Bret McKenzie and Kermit the frog singing with a microphone

An old style television with an image of Jim Henson and his Seasame Street puppets surrounding him

On the Giant Screen

A life-affirming big screen look into the brilliant mind of Jim Henson, ideal for young, old and everyone in between, this film fortnight comes from deep within the Henson archives and vaults.

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Behind the Seams

See, hear, and learn from Jim Henson’s colleagues and collaborators, and those inspired by him here in New Zealand, as they share Muppet memories, and insight into their own professional lives.

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A collection of puppet eyes on a bright Orange background

On Screen Feature

Labyrinth

15 April 13:30

A modern-day Alice in Wonderland. Jennifer Connelly plays a young girl who must travel through the labyrinth to save her baby brother from the Goblin King (the magnificent David Bowie). Full of Henson Creature Shop’s imaginative design, the film’s eye-popping sets create a whole world existing just behind the facade of reality.

On Screen Feature

Muppets Most Wanted

28 April 13:30

While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick. The film stars Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon, Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Jemaine Clement as Prison King of Gulag 38B.

On Screen Feature

The Dark Crystal

15 April 18:00

Mixing elements of Tolkien and fairy tales, Jim Henson and Frank Oz create a fantastic world ruled by the hulking dragon-like Skeksis, where an elf-like orphan must defeat them. Using a mix of puppetry, marionettes and more, The Dark Crystal creates a stunning world rarely equaled in any fantasy film, yet rooted in universal myth.

On Screen Feature

The Great Muppet Caper

20 April 11:00

This second motion-picture outing for the adventurous Muppets finds them in London hunting down jewel thieves while staying at the city's most cheerfully derelict dive, the Happiness Hotel.

Live in Concert

The Jim Henson Retrospectacle Live in Concert

27 April 19:00 - 28 April 19:00

A joyous, hilarious and heartfelt tribute to Jim Henson’s musical legacy, with special guest Bret McKenzie, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and a collective of much-loved Sesame Street, Muppets and Fraggle Rock characters.

On Screen Feature

The Muppet Movie

14 April 13:00

The 1979 feature that represents the film roots of the Muppets, THE MUPPET MOVIE received two Academy Award nominations and is listed in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

On Screen Feature

The Muppets

21 April 1:30

A Muppet fanatic with some help from his two human compatriots must regroup the Muppet gang to stop an avaricious oil mogul from taking down one of their precious life-longing treasures. Featuring Jason Segal, Amy Adams, a bunch of great cameos and a whole load of terrific music – including Bret’s McKenzie's Oscar-winning Man or Muppet and toetapping favourite Life's a Happy Song.

On Screen Feature

The Muppets Take Manhattan

29 April 11:00

When the Muppets’ college show is a big hit, they decide to take it to Broadway, having adventures that could happen only in the Big Apple; with cameos including Gregory Hines, Brooke Shields and Liza Minelli. The movie ends with a wedding between Kermit and his porcine love, which is part of the show within a show – or could it be for real?