Isaac Theatre Royal | |
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![]() Isaac Theatre Royal in April 2020 | |
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General information | |
Type | Theatre |
Architectural style | Edwardian |
Location | Christchurch Central City |
Address | 145 Gloucester Street |
Town or city | Christchurch |
Country | New Zealand |
Coordinates | 43°31′47″S 172°38′18″E / 43.529724°S 172.638254°E |
Construction started | 1906 |
Completed | 1908 |
Technical details | |
Lifts/elevators | 1 [1] |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Sidney and Alfred Luttrell |
Renovating team | |
Other designers | Warren and Mahoney |
Other information | |
Seating capacity | 1,290 [1] |
Website | |
www | |
Designated | 16 November 1989 |
Reference no. | 1936 |
The Isaac Theatre Royal (formerly known as the Theatre Royal) is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand, designed by brothers Sidney and Alfred Luttrell. [2] Built in 1908, it is the only operational Edwardian-style theatre remaining in New Zealand. [3]
The current Theatre Royal is the third theatre of its name on Gloucester Street. The first theatre, built in 1861, was on a site across the road from the current Theatre Royal. It was originally called the Canterbury Music Hall. [2] That building was replaced by a newer theatre on the same site in 1876. Five years after the new theatre was completed it was renamed the Theatre Royal. [4] When the current theatre was built in 1908 the old theatre across the road was sold to The Press, which owned it up until the Canterbury earthquakes. [5] [2]
In 1928 the theatre was refitted as a cinema. During the refit the current marble staircase replaced the original wooden one. [2] Significant structural earthquake strengthening was carried out in 1999 and 2000. [6] [7] Between 2004 and 2005 major work was done to the theatre over a nine-month period at a cost of $6.2 million. [6] [4] The whole backstage was demolished to make room for a modern concrete fly tower and dressing room facilities. The Proscenium arch was also widened by 1.5m and the stage and fly tower were made wider and deeper. [6] The facilities within the existing front of house areas were also upgraded. [6] It was during the 2004/5 renovation that the theatre became the Isaac Theatre Royal, to honour supporter Lady Diana Isaac. [4]
The 1908 auditorium and foyer sustained considerable damage during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake and the June aftershock. [1] The Theatre was closed for nearly four years while the restoration took place. At a cost of $40 million the Theatre was completely restored and brought up to current building code requirements. [8] All of the significant architectural elements were rescued and restored by skilled craftsmen; including a completely rebuilt auditorium dome made from carbon fibre using the original 1908 painted mural by Studio Carolina Izzo. [8] The newly restored Theatre opened on 17 November 2014. [6]
Isaac Theatre Royal | |
---|---|
![]() Isaac Theatre Royal in April 2020 | |
| |
General information | |
Type | Theatre |
Architectural style | Edwardian |
Location | Christchurch Central City |
Address | 145 Gloucester Street |
Town or city | Christchurch |
Country | New Zealand |
Coordinates | 43°31′47″S 172°38′18″E / 43.529724°S 172.638254°E |
Construction started | 1906 |
Completed | 1908 |
Technical details | |
Lifts/elevators | 1 [1] |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Sidney and Alfred Luttrell |
Renovating team | |
Other designers | Warren and Mahoney |
Other information | |
Seating capacity | 1,290 [1] |
Website | |
www | |
Designated | 16 November 1989 |
Reference no. | 1936 |
The Isaac Theatre Royal (formerly known as the Theatre Royal) is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand, designed by brothers Sidney and Alfred Luttrell. [2] Built in 1908, it is the only operational Edwardian-style theatre remaining in New Zealand. [3]
The current Theatre Royal is the third theatre of its name on Gloucester Street. The first theatre, built in 1861, was on a site across the road from the current Theatre Royal. It was originally called the Canterbury Music Hall. [2] That building was replaced by a newer theatre on the same site in 1876. Five years after the new theatre was completed it was renamed the Theatre Royal. [4] When the current theatre was built in 1908 the old theatre across the road was sold to The Press, which owned it up until the Canterbury earthquakes. [5] [2]
In 1928 the theatre was refitted as a cinema. During the refit the current marble staircase replaced the original wooden one. [2] Significant structural earthquake strengthening was carried out in 1999 and 2000. [6] [7] Between 2004 and 2005 major work was done to the theatre over a nine-month period at a cost of $6.2 million. [6] [4] The whole backstage was demolished to make room for a modern concrete fly tower and dressing room facilities. The Proscenium arch was also widened by 1.5m and the stage and fly tower were made wider and deeper. [6] The facilities within the existing front of house areas were also upgraded. [6] It was during the 2004/5 renovation that the theatre became the Isaac Theatre Royal, to honour supporter Lady Diana Isaac. [4]
The 1908 auditorium and foyer sustained considerable damage during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake and the June aftershock. [1] The Theatre was closed for nearly four years while the restoration took place. At a cost of $40 million the Theatre was completely restored and brought up to current building code requirements. [8] All of the significant architectural elements were rescued and restored by skilled craftsmen; including a completely rebuilt auditorium dome made from carbon fibre using the original 1908 painted mural by Studio Carolina Izzo. [8] The newly restored Theatre opened on 17 November 2014. [6]