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1 Taranaki Street, Wellington | Box Office Ph: 04 801 7992
Duration: Tues 14 – Sat 25 October (11 shows only)
Location: Circa One
Price: $15 - $49
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This one’s for the young hearts, the old hearts, and the broken hearts.

Direct from a season at London’s Soho Theatre, Circa Theatre and EBKM are delighted to present a limited season of ‘Heartbreak Hotel’.

‘One of the best productions I’ve seen this year.’ ★★★★★ Time Out Melbourne
‘It hijacks your nervous system and fast tracks its way into your soul.’ ★★★★ Scotsman
“A brilliant production which I loved” Suzie Miller, writer of Tony award-winning Prima Facie

Story, science and a synth combine in an exhilarating new play that examines what happens in our bodies when we’re bereft. 

From acclaimed Wellington-based theatre company EBKM, who brought their ground-breaking Gravity & Grace to Circa Theatre last year (Production of the Year, Wellington Theatre Awards 2024), Heartbreak Hotel tracks a woman’s broken heart in a wrenching and relatable journey that’s studded with classic break-up songs and razor-sharp observations on the physiology of love.

Featuring award-winning performances from Karin McCracken (Gravity & Grace, Yes Yes Yes) and Circa Theatre mainstay Simon Leary (Blithe Spirit, Gravity & Grace, Transmission Beta), as well as exquisite direction from Eleanor Bishop (Gravity & Grace, Girls and Boys), Heartbreak Hotel is a hilarious, honest take on a universal human experience.

Heartbreak Hotel comes to Circa Theatre fresh from smash-hit shows at Soho Theatre London, RISING Festival Melbourne, and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Destined for international touring in 2026 and beyond, Heartbreak Hotel is only running at Circa for two weeks before the show must move on to other centres. Do not miss this special homecoming – it won’t happen again.

Tues 14 – Sat 25 October
Choose What You Pay: Wed 15 October
$15 – $49
Circa One
Runtime: 75 minutes no interval
Audience Care: Contains flashing lights, and the use of smoke/haze
Age Recommendation: 12+

Performances (11 shows only):
Tuesday 14 October – 6.30pm
Wednesday 15 Oct – 6.30pm
Thursday 16 Oct – 6.30pm
Friday 17 October – 8.00pm
Saturday 18 Oct – Matinee 4.00pm and 8.00pm
Sunday 19 October – 4pm
Tuesday 21 Oct – 4.00pm
Friday 24 Oct – 8.00pm
Saturday 25 Oct – Matinee 4.00pm and 8.00pm

Awards

Winner of ‘Best Play’, TimeOut Australia Arts and Culture Awards 2025
‘Best Actor’ – Karin McCracken, Wellington Theatre Awards 2024
‘Best Sound Design’ – Te Aihe Butler, Wellington Theatre Awards 2024

Sponsored by:

Heartbreak Hotel
Created by EBKM
Writer – Karin McCracken

Performers – Karin McCracken & Simon Leary
Director – Eleanor Bishop
Production & Light Designers – Filament Eleven 11
Sound Designer – Te Aihe Butler
Show Operator – Peter Davison
Producer – Melanie Hamilton
Photography – Andi Crown