The King Edward Picture Theatre, opened in 1914, in the suburb of South Dunedin, is the oldest surviving purpose built picture theatre in Dunedin, and perhaps the third oldest surviving in New Zealand. The interior of the two storey brick theatre expresses the romance and escapism of early cinema going, with its ornate plaster interior. The theatre has been a community venue for over ninety years, and is an important survivor of the early picture theatres in New Zealand.
The first motion pictures were shown in theatres designed for live performance. In New Zealand, the first purpose built picture theatre opened in March 1910. Henry Hayward (1865-1945) who was to play a pivotal part in the film industry in New Zealand, saw films as the 'poor man's theatre', providing an 'antidote to cruel economic and social injustices [bringing] happiness, contentment and forgetfulness.'
The King Edward Picture Theatre Company was formed in 1914 with shareholders from among Dunedin's most prominent businessmen: the Hudson family; brewers Charles Speight, and Robert and Charles Greenslade, solicitor Alfred James, gentleman James Brown (the largest shareholder), cordial manufacturer Josiah Lane, and dentist Albert Blakely.
Dunedin architect Edward Walter Walden (d.1944) appears to be the designer of the theatre. Walden was articled with James Hislop and took over Hislop's practice on his death in 1904. Walden designed the Carnegie Public Library, and, according to his obituary, for some of the early picture theatres in Dunedin.
Local tradespeople made a significant contribution to the new cinema, particularly the plaster work. The fibrous plasterer is not mentioned by name but the quality of work is very similar to that produced in Everybody's Theatre (opened 1915, with Walden the architect, and with Robert Wardrop's firm responsible for the fibrous plaster). Robert Wardrop (1858-1924) was well known for the quality of his plaster work, and in the early days of the company in Dunedin, was working alone in his field, and it seems likely that Wardrop completed the plaster work.
The 862 seat King Edward Picture Theatre opened on 7 December 1914. The Otago Daily Times reporter judged the buildings as 'a distinct addition to the architecture of the south end.' The Theatre was a popular venue, with one woman recalling that ‘almost half of South Dunedin' would go to the pictures on a Saturday night, and some families had permanently booked seats.
By the late 1920s the advances in technology introduced the talkies into New Zealand with the corresponding need to adapt existing cinemas. In 1934 the King Edward Picture Theatre was modernised and renamed the Mayfair Theatre.
By the early 1960s there was concern about the future of picture theatres, because of the impact of television. Virtually all small towns and most city suburbs lost their local cinema. The Mayfair Theatre ceased screenings as a cinema on 25 September 1966. The Dunedin Opera Company purchased the building in October 1967. The Opera Company converted it into a live venue with seating for 413.
The King Edward Picture Theatre (Former) is constructed of brick in neo-classical style typical of the picture theatres designed in the Edwardian period. There is extensive ornate decorative plasterwork both in the foyer and in the auditorium. The main auditorium of the theatre is located at the level of the picture theatre's original dress circle. The walls and ceiling carry on the ornate plaster detailing found in the foyer. The original ornately detailed proscenium arch is located over the stage, and features cherubs and presumably a king's crown as the prominent motifs. Above the proscenium arch is the ornately plastered octagonal dome in the ceiling, an outstanding feature of the interior.
The King Edward Picture Theatre has aesthetic, architectural, cultural, historical and social significance. The theatre is an example of the architecture associated with early purpose built picture theatres, and their subsequent adaptation to changing uses and technologies. The exuberant plaster work in the interior of the theatre has special aesthetic significance. The plaster work in the foyer is elaborate and bold foreshadowing the even more exuberant detailing of the auditorium. The decoration is consistent with the idea of picture theatres, and of early silent films themselves being an escape into a fantasy world. The Theatre has cultural significance as an early cinema built for the entertainment of South Dunedin cinema-going public and as a venue for the Dunedin Opera Society and many other cultural events. The Theatre has historical significance as an early surviving picture theatre. The King Edward Picture Theatre has social significance as a major place of gathering and interaction for the South Dunedin community, for its over fifty year use as a cinema, and subsequently the last 40 years as a live theatre venue.
Since its 1967 the Theatre has been used by theatre, school and community groups. In 2008 discussion continues on the future of the former King Edward Picture Theatre and the building continues to be used as a theatre.
The first motion pictures were shown in theatres designed for live performance. In New Zealand, the first purpose built picture theatre opened in March 1910. Henry Hayward (1865-1945) who was to play a pivotal part in the film industry in New Zealand, saw films as the 'poor man's theatre', providing an 'antidote to cruel economic and social injustices [bringing] happiness, contentment and forgetfulness.'
The King Edward Picture Theatre Company was formed in 1914 with shareholders from among Dunedin's most prominent businessmen: the Hudson family; brewers Charles Speight, and Robert and Charles Greenslade, solicitor Alfred James, gentleman James Brown (the largest shareholder), cordial manufacturer Josiah Lane, and dentist Albert Blakely.
Dunedin architect Edward Walter Walden (d.1944) appears to be the designer of the theatre. Walden was articled with James Hislop and took over Hislop's practice on his death in 1904. Walden designed the Carnegie Public Library, and, according to his obituary, for some of the early picture theatres in Dunedin.
Local tradespeople made a significant contribution to the new cinema, particularly the plaster work. The fibrous plasterer is not mentioned by name but the quality of work is very similar to that produced in Everybody's Theatre (opened 1915, with Walden the architect, and with Robert Wardrop's firm responsible for the fibrous plaster). Robert Wardrop (1858-1924) was well known for the quality of his plaster work, and in the early days of the company in Dunedin, was working alone in his field, and it seems likely that Wardrop completed the plaster work.
The 862 seat King Edward Picture Theatre opened on 7 December 1914. The Otago Daily Times reporter judged the buildings as 'a distinct addition to the architecture of the south end.' The Theatre was a popular venue, with one woman recalling that ‘almost half of South Dunedin' would go to the pictures on a Saturday night, and some families had permanently booked seats.
By the late 1920s the advances in technology introduced the talkies into New Zealand with the corresponding need to adapt existing cinemas. In 1934 the King Edward Picture Theatre was modernised and renamed the Mayfair Theatre.
By the early 1960s there was concern about the future of picture theatres, because of the impact of television. Virtually all small towns and most city suburbs lost their local cinema. The Mayfair Theatre ceased screenings as a cinema on 25 September 1966. The Dunedin Opera Company purchased the building in October 1967. The Opera Company converted it into a live venue with seating for 413.
The King Edward Picture Theatre (Former) is constructed of brick in neo-classical style typical of the picture theatres designed in the Edwardian period. There is extensive ornate decorative plasterwork both in the foyer and in the auditorium. The main auditorium of the theatre is located at the level of the picture theatre's original dress circle. The walls and ceiling carry on the ornate plaster detailing found in the foyer. The original ornately detailed proscenium arch is located over the stage, and features cherubs and presumably a king's crown as the prominent motifs. Above the proscenium arch is the ornately plastered octagonal dome in the ceiling, an outstanding feature of the interior.
The King Edward Picture Theatre has aesthetic, architectural, cultural, historical and social significance. The theatre is an example of the architecture associated with early purpose built picture theatres, and their subsequent adaptation to changing uses and technologies. The exuberant plaster work in the interior of the theatre has special aesthetic significance. The plaster work in the foyer is elaborate and bold foreshadowing the even more exuberant detailing of the auditorium. The decoration is consistent with the idea of picture theatres, and of early silent films themselves being an escape into a fantasy world. The Theatre has cultural significance as an early cinema built for the entertainment of South Dunedin cinema-going public and as a venue for the Dunedin Opera Society and many other cultural events. The Theatre has historical significance as an early surviving picture theatre. The King Edward Picture Theatre has social significance as a major place of gathering and interaction for the South Dunedin community, for its over fifty year use as a cinema, and subsequently the last 40 years as a live theatre venue.
Since its 1967 the Theatre has been used by theatre, school and community groups. In 2008 discussion continues on the future of the former King Edward Picture Theatre and the building continues to be used as a theatre.
