Christchurch's Court Theatre has outlived all the other first professional theatres set up on New Zealand. It proudly celebrates its 50th birthday on the 21st of April. Felicity Price, a long time patron and board member,is the perfect person to write the account of the much loved theatre. It follows the Court from its origins, to its numerous different homes over the decades, to some of its most memorable actors and productions. 50 Years of the Court Theatre includes dozens of interviews with people who've been on stage and behind the scenes. That includes long time Artistic Director Elric Hooper. Lynn Freeman talks to Felicity and to Derek Hargreaves, whose own account of his 47 years as secretary to the Court Theatre Trust forms the backbone of the book. He talks about working alongside the Court's two founders, Yvette Bromley and Mervyn Thompson. The History of the Court Theatre is published by Caxton.