Mercury Theatre (Auckland)

Mercury Theatre (Auckland)

The Mercury Theatre is a theatre in Auckland, New Zealand, located on Karangahape Road. It was built in 1910, by the architect Edward Bartley and is the oldest surviving theatre in Auckland. Built in the English Baroque style, it was initially known as the Kings Theatre. However in 1926 on being coverted into a cinema, a new entrance on Karangahape Road was built, which is now the Norman building.

It gained popularity from the late 1960s where it was owned by the Mercury Theatre Company from 1962 to 1990. The Auckland Theatre Trust was established in 1966 and raised the finance to open it formally as a professional theatre in 1968. cite web|url=http://0-www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.www.elgar.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/virt-exhib/realgold/Arts/mercury-theatre.html|title=Mercury Theatre Records (1966-1990)|publisher=Auckland City Government|accessdate=August 27|accessyear=2008] The first production initiated by the theatre was "The Admirable Crichton" by J.M Barrie. At least 12 productions were put on annually after this period ranging from children's pantomines to serious tragedy-dramas including those by Shakespeare and Chekhov. Notable actors who performed at the theatre during their careers include Pam Ferris, Lee Grant, Roy Billing, George Henare, Michael Hurst and Ian Mune.Raymond Hawthorne joined the theatre in 1971 and worked as an actor, director and a tutor and became artistic director of the theatre in 1985 until its closure in 1992. [cite web|author=Meyer-Dinkgräfe,Daniel| url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GYsu5Tfr1eAC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=Mercury+Theatre++auckland&source=web&ots=04RdPMrEES&sig=8w3r2--Hi0JnKbxiKnmPVvl3-7w&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result|title=Who's Who in Contemporary World Theatre|date=2000|pages=p.118|publisher=Routledge|accessdate=August 27|accessyear=2008]

Although the theatre steadily attracted visitors, the extravagance of the theatre productions and running costs forced the Mercury Theatre as it was to close in 1992, putting on a final production of "The Wind in the Willows".

The theatre is currently owned by a church, but occasionally is used for theatrical performances.

References

.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mercury Theatre, Auckland — The Mercury Theatre, seen from below …   Wikipedia

  • Mercury Theatre (disambiguation) — The Mercury Theatre was the Welles and Houseman New York stage radio theater company of 1937 1946. Mercury Theatre may also refer to: Mercury Theatre, Notting Hill Gate, London, 1933 1987 Mercury Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, 1910 1992 Mercury… …   Wikipedia

  • theatre, Western — ▪ art Introduction       history of the Western theatre from its origins in pre Classical antiquity to the present.       For a discussion of drama as a literary form, see dramatic literature and the articles on individual national literatures.… …   Universalium

  • Jay Laga'aia — Jay en Junio del 2009 en Florida Nacimiento 10 de septiembre de 1963 (48 años) Auckland, New Zealand Pareja Sandie Jane Laga aia …   Wikipedia Español

  • David Aston — Born 1953 New Zealand Occupation Actor Years active 1979 present David Aston is an actor from Auckland, New Zealand who played the character Rhineheart in the 1999 Hollywood movie …   Wikipedia

  • Danielle Cormack — Cormack in 2011 Born December 26, 1970 (1970 12 26) (age 40) Auckland, New Zealand …   Wikipedia

  • Myra De Groot — Born 4 July 1937 London, England, UK Died April 4, 1988(1988 04 04) (aged 50) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Occupation Television actor Years active …   Wikipedia

  • Феррис, Пэм — У этого термина существуют и другие значения, см. Феррис. Памела «Пэм» Феррис Pamela «Pam» Ferris …   Википедия

  • Karangahape Road — (commonly known as K Road) is a famous street in Auckland, New Zealand, known for cafes, boutique shops, nightlife and formerly, for being a red light district. It is located close to the CBD and runs mostly west east, perpendicular to Queen… …   Wikipedia

  • New Zealand — New Zealander. /zee leuhnd/ a country in the S Pacific, SE of Australia, consisting of North Island, South Island, and adjacent small islands: a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 3,587,275; 103,416 sq. mi. (267,845 sq. km). Cap.: Wellington …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”