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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Theatres, Halls, Etc

Theatres, Halls, Etc.

The Theatre Royal, Christchurch, dates back to a time when there was no theatre; that is to say, the theatre as an institution began life low down in the scale of buildings, and rose gradually to greater things. It began as a small music hall which was opened with a concert given by the Christchurch Musical Society in 1862, when one of those who contributed items was the celebrated instrumentalist, Douay. In 1863 the music hall became the Princess Theatre, with Mr. J. L. Hall as the licensee. In 1866, the name was changed to the Theatre Royal. The lessees then were Messrs J. S. Willis and K. B. Dale, and the first piece played in the building under its new name, was “The Duel in the Snow,” with Miss Sheppard as the heroine. After that the lease changed hands several times. Mr. William Hoskins, a noted actor, who had given Henry Irving lessons in elocution, came into possession in 1873, and established a stock company on the lines then in vogue in England. In 1876 tenders were called for a new building, and that necessitated a termination of Mr. Hoskins' long season, which had extended over 240 nights. The new Theatre Royal was opened by Mr Hoskins on the 4th of November, 1876, with a strong company. In his opening address, the actor-manager promised to do his best to elevate the drama, to introduce the best talent, and to secure novelties to suit the varied tastes of the patrons of the theatre. It is related to his credit that these promises were well fulfilled by Mr. Hoskins, so far as that was made possible by the earnings of the theatre. He and his brilliant young wife, Florence Colville, gave the stage in Christchurch a charm and an attractiveness which will never be forgotten by those who attended the theatre in those days. In 1880, Mr. Hoskins left Christchurch, and since then attention has been given generally to the production of novelties from London and New York. Early in 1882, Mr. C. Williamson and Maggie Moore introduced “Struck Oil,” which was very successful. Later in the same year, Mr. Bland Holt came along with “The World,” and since then he has repeatedly entertained Christchurch audiences with his sensational and spectacular plays. At various times Genevieve Ward, John F. Sheridan, George Leitch, Dion Boucicault, Frank Thornton, George Rignold, Grattan Riggs, Charles Arnold, Harry Rickard, J. L. Toole, Janet Achurch, Jennie Lee, Walter Bentley, the Broughs, Mrs Brown-Potter and Kyrle Bellew, Julius Knight, the Pollards, Harry Poulton; Edith Crane, Nance O'Neil, Janet Waldorf, William Hawtrey, Wilson Barrett, the members of the Musgrove Opera Company, and others, have all entertained the public from the stage of the Theatre Royal.

The Opera House, in Tuam Street, was built in 1882 to the order of a syndicate. It remained in the hands of the original proprietors for a number of years, but later on was purchased by Mr. L. E. Nathan, the present owner. It was successively used, for some years, by a number of travelling companies, but about two years ago Mr. P. R. Dix, of Dix's Gaiety Company, became the licensee, and almost every week night since then the house, which has accommodated 3000 persons at one time, has resounded to the merriment of first class variety entertainments, in the presence of large and appreciative audiences. The hall is well fitted up and well ventilated, and the stage, also, is roomy and convenient. The most important event in the history of the opera house has been the signing of the lease to Mr. Dix as since then the brilliant vaudeville “stars,” which Mr. Dix brings from almost all parts of the world have made the building a preeminently popular resort.

Mr. Percy Reginald Dix, Sole Proprietor of Dix's Gaiety Companies, and Lessee of the Opera House, Tuam Street, Christchurch, was born in Launceston, Tasmania, and received his education at the Collegiate Institute. Mr. Dix has been connected with theatrical management in New Zealand for over six years, and has at the present time four vaudeville companies running continuously; namely, at the City Hall, Auckland, the Theatre Royal, Wellington, the Alhambra Theatre, Dunedin, and the Opera House, Christchurch. Mr. Dix has established a record for a continuous “show” in New Zealand, his Auckland business having been running successfully since the 1st of April, 1899. Mr. Dix is also owner of the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, and lessee of His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, the largest and best-appointed theatre in New Zealand. The fact that the proprietor of the gaiety companies engages only the best and most refined artists obtainable in London, America, and Australia, accounts for the large amount of support he receives from theatre-goers in New Zealand. Mr. Dix is a man of great enterprise, tact, and ability, and being surrounded with an excellent staff of managers, he is enabled to conduct his large theatrical business on sound up-to-date lines.

Mr. P R. Dix.

Mr. P R. Dix.

page 227

The Canterbury Hall is in the splendid block of buildings opened in Manchester Street on the 1st of November, 1900, to celebrate the jubilee of the province of Canterbury. The hall is 102 feet by 70 feet, and it is estimated that 4,000 people have been accommodated in it at one time. The dress circle has 500 seats, but there is room for about half as many more. A feature of the hall is the artistic steel ceiling. The stage is 86 feet by 40 feet. A proposal was made some time ago to make certain alterations in the hall so that it could be used for general theatrical and operatic purposes. The shareholders, however, rejected the proposal, and the large room has been retained as a concert hall. It is also used for large balls, flower shows, and similar entertainments. It was in this hall that the Prince and Princess of Wales held their reception, when, as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, they visited Christchurch in June, 1901. The hall has also been the scene of the last public farewell to several Canterbury sections of contingents, when they were setting out for the war in South Africa. Several smaller halls are attached to the Canterbury Hall, notably the ball-room, which has a spring floor, and is specially adapted for private balls, and for meetings and entertainments, at which the audiences are not expected to be large.