Silo Theatre is closing out 2026 with what might be its most gleefully chaotic production yet, a comedy called Marathon, based on the genuinely disastrous 1904 Olympic marathon in St. Louis.
The show runs from 12 November to 6 December at Q Theatre's Rangatira, promising audiences a night built almost entirely around things going spectacularly wrong.
A True Story That Somehow Sounds Made Up
The premise sounds like satire, but it isn't. In 1904, 32 athletes lined up for the Olympic marathon in St. Louis, lured by promises of glory and a medal to be awarded by First Daughter Alice Roosevelt, at a time when the Olympic Games themselves were still figuring out basic logistics.
What actually unfolded on the day, according to the show's premise, involved a genuinely wild mix of problems:
- Incompetence in event organisation
- Athlete betrayal and outright cheating
- Wild dogs interfering with runners
- Rat poison playing a role in the chaos
- A string of questionable decisions from just about everyone involved
From Solo Fringe Show to Full Ensemble Production
Marathon didn't start as a big-scale theatre production. It began life as a solo show written and performed by New Zealand comedian Nic Sampson, first staged at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe before transferring to London's Soho Theatre.
For this new production, the script has been reworked entirely into a full ensemble piece, expanding what was once a one-person performance into a much bigger, louder and more physically demanding show.
A Cast Stacked With Comedy Heavyweights
The ensemble brings together some of the most recognised names in New Zealand comedy and theatre:
| Performer | Recognition |
|---|---|
| Chris Parker | Fred Award winner |
| Kura Forrester | Billy T Award winner |
| Brynley Stent | Billy T Award winner |
| Brett O'Gorman | Two-time Billy T nominee |
| Batanai Mashingaidze | Known for Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner |
| Brayden Cresswell | Silo Theatre newcomer |
Notably, several cast members previously starred together in Silo's 2024 hit Camping, another production that made the jump from the comedy circuit to a full mainstage season. This time around, the setting has shifted considerably, no tents, no campfire, and, as the show's own promotional material puts it, "the substances are way less recreational."
Directed by a Theatre Veteran
Taking the reins as director is Ben Crowder, a well-established figure in New Zealand theatre with three decades of experience. Marathon marks his return to Silo Theatre, following his 2005 production of Bad Jelly the Witch at Auckland's Wintergarden.
Silo Artistic Director Sophie Henderson said the production was commissioned with a very specific goal in mind.
"We commissioned Nic to write this play because we wanted to give Silo audiences the silliest, sweatiest night out possible," Henderson said.
More Than Just Chaos
Despite its wildly comedic premise, Henderson suggests the show carries a more genuine emotional core underneath all the mayhem, one about ambition, pride, and the very human desire to achieve something extraordinary.
"I love Marathon because it's about our obsession with trying to do something great, to prove that we're special," Henderson said. "It's a wildly funny celebration of ambition, failure and the freedom that comes when you stop worrying about how history will remember you."
Writer Nic Sampson's Growing Profile
Since relocating to the UK in 2019, Nic Sampson has built a solid career as a comedian, actor and writer, with screen credits including Starstruck, Taskmaster Junior, and a role in Paddington in Peru. He is also known in New Zealand as a Billy T nominee and former member of comedy group Snort.
Show Details
| Season | The Milford Asset Management Season of Marathon |
| Dates | 12 November – 6 December 2026 |
| Venue | Q Theatre, Rangatira |
| Times | Tuesday–Friday 7pm; Saturday 2pm & 7pm; Sunday 5pm |
Why This Show Stands Out
For audiences looking for something outside the usual end-of-year theatre fare, Marathon offers a genuinely unusual pitch, a true historical sporting disaster reimagined as high-energy physical comedy, performed by a cast built almost entirely from New Zealand's top comedic talent.
Whether audiences come for the historical curiosity or simply for the promise of six of the country's funniest performers running headlong into chaos together, Silo Theatre appears confident this closing production will send 2026 out on a suitably unhinged note.
This article is based on a media release issued by Silo Theatre.
