Catherine Downes

Catherine Downes is regarded as one of New Zealand’s finest theatrical talents with an international career spanning 4 decades.

In 1998 she was appointed a Member Of The NZ Order Of Merit for her services to the Arts.

Catherine graduated from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama school after completing a B.A. in English, Politics and Drama at Victoria University.

While in her 20's she relocated to Europe and established two theatre companies, in Amsterdam and in London, where she developed and toured the immensely successful satirical cabaret show: Sweet Nothings, and it's spin -offs Sweetcorn, Venus in Blue Jeans and The Heartache Show
While in Amsterdam she created the iconic One Woman Play, The Case of Katherine Mansfield

with which she toured Europe, Australia, NZ and the USA, winning 2 awards at The Edinburgh Festival.

In 1993 Catherine was funded by the Suffrage Centennial Trust to adapt Rachel McAlpine's novel Farewell Speech which Won Chapman Tripp's Theatre Award for Best New New Zealand Play.

1n 2000 she accepted a 5 year contract as Artistic Director of The Court Theatre in Christchurch and in 2006 a 2 year contract as Director of Downstage Theatre in Wellington

Catherine lives on Waiheke Island, and works as a free-lance Actor, Director and Playwright.