Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal will be the benefactor of support from one of the acting industry's biggest names.
Sir Ian McKellen, famous for his role as Gandolf in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings, launched his one-man nationwide tour in Christchurch on Wednesday.
The eleven shows will help raise money to repair the quake-damaged Theatre Royal.
Sir Ian says the devastation in the central city reminded him of being in New York after the September 11 attacks.
He says he hopes his contribution reminds Cantabrians that people have not forgotten them.
Sir Ian once performed Waiting for Godot at the theatre and says he wants to help restore it as soon as possible.