In 1861 Christchurch's first theatre, the Canterbury Music Hall, was built on a site across the road from the current Theatre Royal. The Canterbury Music Hall was renamed the Theatre Royal in 1866 and the building was replaced by another on the same site in 1876. This building of 1876 is still standing, although no longer used as a theatre, and is also registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust/Pouhere Taonga.
The third Theatre Royal, the subject of this registration, was designed by the Luttrell brothers, Alfred and Sidney, who arrived in New Zealand in 1902. Their chief contribution to New Zealand architecture was in the introduction of the Chicago 'skyscraper' style, as seen in the New Zealand Express Company buildings in Christchurch (1905-1907) and Dunedin (1908-1910). They also specialised in the design of race course grandstands and worked as unofficial diocesan architects for the Roman Catholic Church in Canterbury. The theatre they designed in Gloucester Street, for a syndicate headed by American-born J.C. Williamson (1845-1913), differed from their contemporary work by looking back to the Victorian love of decoration, as expressed on the theatre's ornate façade, instead of a bolder Edwardian or American style. The theatre also had an elaborate cast iron verandah, which gave it something of an Australian feel. This was removed in 1928 and replaced by a plain verandah suspended from the first floor. The acoustics of the theatre have always been acknowledged to be superb.
Initially the Theatre Royal was used for live theatre, although it did show motion pictures occasionally. In 1928 it was refitted as a cinema and for some time that became its primary function. It was run by Christchurch Cinemas from 1941 to 1956. From the mid 1950s the theatre was again used for live performances and over the years it hosted wrestling matches, musical performances and opera. The Theatre Royal began to lose customers and acts from 1972 and was threatened with demolition. In 1980 it was purchased by the Theatre Royal Charitable Foundation, a trust established by local people who wished to see the theatre preserved. Today it is still used as a theatre.
The Theatre Royal is significant as one of the earliest theatres in Christchurch and as part of the history of theatre in Canterbury, particularly in conjunction with its earlier namesake across the street. Within the wider history of New Zealand cinema the Theatre Royal is one of a number of cinemas built or taken over by the J.C. Williamson Picture Corporation. The theatre is a fine example of the Luttrells' architectural skill and diversity and the building forms an important part of the townscape of Gloucester Street. The establishment of a trust to buy the building in 1980 indicates the public feeling for the building.
[The following information describing the situation of the building following the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-11 is from the Isaac Theatre Royal website: http://isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/our-history/theatre-history/ (accessed 27 July 2017):
'Mercifully our Grand Old Lady of Christchurch Theatre has survived the massive earthquake and considerable aftershocks that rocked the city in 2010 and 2011. The Theatre re-opened on 17 November 2014. The project was significantly more elaborate in design and complexity of construction than originally estimated with the Theatre essentially being rebuilt from Façade to Proscenium Arch. The rebuild and restoration had significant challenges throughout, making it one of the most intricate building projects in the earthquake damaged Christchurch CBD with an overall rebuild cost of NZ$40M. Some extensive earthquake strengthening work undertaken in 1998/99 has without doubt saved this 100 year old Heritage building from complete collapse but some significant deconstruction was required to secure and protect the key interior and exterior heritage elements.'
[In 2016 the Isaac Theatre Royal was the winner of the 'Public Realm - Saved and Restored' category of the Canterbury Heritage Awards, in recognition of the rebuild and restoration work carried out on the building.]
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1936
Date Entered
16th November 1989
Date of Effect
16th November 1989
City/District Council
Christchurch City
Region
Canterbury Region
Legal description
Pt Lots 1,2, DP 1858 Lot 2 DP 5051 Lot 4 DP 6294 Pt Lot 2
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1936
Date Entered
16th November 1989
Date of Effect
16th November 1989
City/District Council
Christchurch City
Region
Canterbury Region
Legal description
Pt Lots 1,2, DP 1858 Lot 2 DP 5051 Lot 4 DP 6294 Pt Lot 2
Construction Professional
Name
Luttrell, Alfred Edgar And Edward Sidney
Type
Architect
Biography
Alfred (1865-1924) and Sidney (1872-1932) Luttrell established one of New Zealand's foremost Edwardian architectural practices when they arrived in Christchurch in 1902. The brothers had left Australia on the eve of Federation to pursue a more rewarding career in New Zealand. Alfred had been based in Launceston, Tasmania, where he had been the apprentice of Harry Conway. In 1886 he stared his own firm. His younger brother into partnership in 1897. The two men assumed different responsibilities within the firm, with Alfred acting as the principal designer and engineer while Sidney co-ordinated building programmes and dealt with clients. Sidney served his apprenticeship whit his brother, and in 1897 they became partners of A. & S. Luttrell. By 1902 they had established themselves in New Zealand, where they were known as S. & A. Luttrell The Luttrells ran their own contracting firm for many years, designing a wide variety of building types throughout the country. They were the unofficial Diocesan architects for the Roman Catholic Church in Christchurch during the second decade of the twentieth century. Their chief contribution to New Zealand architecture was in the introduction of the Chicago "skyscraper" style, as seen in the New Zealand Express Company buildings in Christchurch (1905-7) and Dunedin (1908-10). Alfred's habitual use of concrete construction, both mass and reinforced, is another significant feature of his work. The grandstands at Trentham racecourse are his most important work in reinforced concrete, and reveal Sidney's close involvement with the racing world, which led to numerous commissions for the firm.
Construction Details
Start Year
1906
Finish Year
1908
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1928
Type
Modification
Description
Interior largely rebuilt as movie cinema. Marble staircase added at this time
Notable Features
Notable features include a marble staircase added during the 1928-1929 refurbishment and two portrait busts above the stage boxes showing Shakespeare and Sir Henry Irving, a leading Victorian English actor.
Construction Professional
Name
Luttrell, Alfred Edgar And Edward Sidney
Type
Architect
Biography
Alfred (1865-1924) and Sidney (1872-1932) Luttrell established one of New Zealand's foremost Edwardian architectural practices when they arrived in Christchurch in 1902. The brothers had left Australia on the eve of Federation to pursue a more rewarding career in New Zealand. Alfred had been based in Launceston, Tasmania, where he had been the apprentice of Harry Conway. In 1886 he stared his own firm. His younger brother into partnership in 1897. The two men assumed different responsibilities within the firm, with Alfred acting as the principal designer and engineer while Sidney co-ordinated building programmes and dealt with clients. Sidney served his apprenticeship whit his brother, and in 1897 they became partners of A. & S. Luttrell. By 1902 they had established themselves in New Zealand, where they were known as S. & A. Luttrell The Luttrells ran their own contracting firm for many years, designing a wide variety of building types throughout the country. They were the unofficial Diocesan architects for the Roman Catholic Church in Christchurch during the second decade of the twentieth century. Their chief contribution to New Zealand architecture was in the introduction of the Chicago "skyscraper" style, as seen in the New Zealand Express Company buildings in Christchurch (1905-7) and Dunedin (1908-10). Alfred's habitual use of concrete construction, both mass and reinforced, is another significant feature of his work. The grandstands at Trentham racecourse are his most important work in reinforced concrete, and reveal Sidney's close involvement with the racing world, which led to numerous commissions for the firm.
Construction Details
Start Year
1906
Finish Year
1908
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1928
Type
Modification
Description
Interior largely rebuilt as movie cinema. Marble staircase added at this time
Notable Features
Notable features include a marble staircase added during the 1928-1929 refurbishment and two portrait busts above the stage boxes showing Shakespeare and Sir Henry Irving, a leading Victorian English actor.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
17th October 2001
Report Written By
Melanie Lovell-Smith
Information Sources
Downes, 1975
Peter Downes, Shadows on the Stage: Theatre in New Zealand - the first 70 years, Dunedin, 1975
Kentish-Barnes, 1997
Cosmo Kentish-Barnes (director), Shadows on the Stage: A documentary film on the Theatre Royal, [Christchurch], 1997
McEwan, 1988
Ann McEwan, 'The Architecture of A.E. and E.S. Luttrell in Tasmania and New Zealand', MA thesis, University of Canterbury, 1988
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Southern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
17th October 2001
Report Written By
Melanie Lovell-Smith
Information Sources
Downes, 1975
Peter Downes, Shadows on the Stage: Theatre in New Zealand - the first 70 years, Dunedin, 1975
Kentish-Barnes, 1997
Cosmo Kentish-Barnes (director), Shadows on the Stage: A documentary film on the Theatre Royal, [Christchurch], 1997
McEwan, 1988
Ann McEwan, 'The Architecture of A.E. and E.S. Luttrell in Tasmania and New Zealand', MA thesis, University of Canterbury, 1988
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Southern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre
Former Usages
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Cinema/movie theatre
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Opera House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre
Web Links
description:
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre
Former Usages
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Cinema/movie theatre
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Opera House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre
Web Links
description:
Location
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