Playhouse Theatre, Glen Eden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Playhouse Theatre, Glen Eden |
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| Former names | Glen Eden Town Hall |
| General information | |
| Type |
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| Address | 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden, Auckland |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°54′39″S 174°38′58″E / 36.9109°S 174.6494°E |
| Completed | 12 May 1937 |
| Renovated | February 2002 |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | W.C. Curtis |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Authur Marshall |
The Playhouse Theatre is a special place in Glen Eden, New Zealand, where people can enjoy live shows and performances. It's a performing arts centre that has been around for a long time. The building was finished in 1937 after a fire destroyed the old Glen Eden Town Hall that stood there before.
For many years, the Theatre has been a hub for the community in West Auckland. At first, it was used for town meetings and community events. By the 1970s, it started showing movies and hosting theatre plays. That's when its name officially changed to The Playhouse Theatre.
In 1997, different theatre groups that used the building joined together to form the Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust. They worked hard to raise money to make the building even better. After a big upgrade, the Theatre reopened in 2003 as a modern place for performing arts.
Contents
History of the Playhouse Theatre Building
Early Days: Glen Eden's First Public Hall
The story of the Playhouse Theatre began in 1901. That year, Glen Eden's first public hall opened on the same spot where the Theatre stands today. A local Member of Parliament, John Bollard, officially opened it.
This hall was very important for the social life of the Glen Eden community. Back then, the area was known as Waikumete. People used the hall for many things, like watching films, holding town meetings, dances, and political gatherings.
A New Building After the Fire
Sadly, the first hall burned down in 1935. But the community quickly planned a new building to replace it. The design for the new hall was described as a "modern version of a Georgian type." It was planned to have a main hall that could seat 500 people. It would also include a kitchen, dressing rooms, a small library, and offices for the town.
The new building officially opened on May 12, 1937. It had offices for the Town Board and was also suitable for a library, dances, school events, and even indoor bowling. However, it soon became clear that its main use would be as a cinema. After the town offices and library moved out, the building became known as the Star Theatre. It kept this name until 1972, when it closed because it wasn't making enough money.
Saving the Theatre: Community Efforts
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, there were discussions about whether the Theatre should be repaired or upgraded. The local council was worried about the costs and if people in the community were still interested.
In 1971, three local theatre groups stepped in to help. These groups were St. Thomas's Light Opera Club, Western Players, and Auckland Children's Light Opera Society. They successfully leased the hall from the Glen Eden Borough Council. They changed its name to the Playhouse Theatre and started running it themselves as Playhouse Productions.
Ian Wood and Jack Lawrence, who were involved, remembered how much work was needed. They said "truckloads of rubbish" were removed. Members worked hard to clean, iron new curtains, and lay carpet to get the building ready. In October 1972, the first public show, A Night of Variety, was performed. Between 1972 and 1992, Playhouse Productions put on over 87 shows, including musicals, children's shows, and plays.
The Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust
Forming the Trust for Upgrades
Playhouse Productions received some money from the Portage Licensing Trust. However, at that time, community grants could not be used to upgrade buildings owned by the Council. So, in 1997, the Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre Trust was formed. This Trust later changed its name to the Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust. It included a representative from the Council on its board.
The Trust successfully applied for more community funding grants. This money was used to remodel the front of the building, improve the supper room, and add air conditioning to the main hall. The main hall was also redesigned to include a space for an orchestra.
In 2003, the newly upgraded building had a special Gala Opening. Many local important people and those who helped with the project attended. After the upgrade, the Waitakere City Council agreed to provide more money to finish the work.
Continuing Support and Community Role
Today, the Theatre continues to be used by its resident company, Playhouse Theatre Incorporated. It also hosts many other groups that present different performing arts events each year. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board helps fund and support the Theatre.
In 2004, the Trust received a grant from the Waitakere Council. Part of this money was used to hire Sheryl Watson as a part-time theatre manager. Sheryl often wrote for a community newsletter called The Titirangi Tatler (later renamed The Fringe). She wrote about the Theatre's history and its role in the community. She also shared information about upcoming shows.
In 2008, the Playhouse Theatre won a grand piano and $5000 for training workshops in a competition. In November of that year, Sheryl announced that a conductor named Brigid Ursula Bisley would bring an orchestra of local musicians to perform.
In a 2012 article, Sheryl Watson said that when people come to a live show, they often get excited about theatre. She noted that for those who join, "there's a real buzz about taking part in a production." However, in 2014, the Trust's chair, Stan Henshaw, said that they could no longer afford a theatre manager due to money problems.
Working with the Local Board
In 2018, Janet Clews, a former mayor of Glen Eden, hoped that the Trust and the Local Board could work together. She wanted to make sure this important community building would be cared for and improved in the future.
Records from the Waitakere Ranges Board meetings show how the Trust and the council work together. In November 2018, the Board accepted a presentation about the Trust's plans for building additions. They also noted that the Glen Eden Playhouse had some maintenance issues but was still hosting successful events like the 'Annual Poetry Grand Slam'.
In February 2019, Greg Presland, who was the Chair of the Local Board, suggested that the Local Board should encourage more use of The Playhouse. This idea was part of a plan for the future of Glen Eden.
In November 2020, the Trust gave a presentation to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. They wanted to update the board on what was happening with the community theatre. The board thanked Phil Wilkinson and Gary Daverne, ONZM, for their presentation. They also noted the important contribution of the Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre building and its activities to the identity of Glen Eden.
Installation of the Wurlitzer Organ
In 2017, it was confirmed that a special Wurlitzer organ would be moved to the Playhouse Theatre. This organ was previously housed at the Hollywood Cinema in Avondale, Auckland. Stan Henshaw, from the Playhouse Theatre Trust, said that having the Wurlitzer organ would be the first step in a planned expansion of the Theatre. This project needed a lot of fundraising to cover the expected cost of $900,000.
Selected Performances at the Playhouse Theatre
The Playhouse Theatre has hosted many exciting performances over the years. Here are a few examples:
- Spamalot (2019): This musical is based on a screenplay by members of Monty Python. It was directed by Chris Lane and was praised for its funny humor and great performances.
- Beauty and the Beast (2018): This show was special because it was a "next-gen" production, meaning everyone involved was under 18. The director, Matt Billington, was praised for creating smooth scene changes and keeping the audience engaged.
- Dominion Rd The Musical (2017): This musical was about Dominion Road, a diverse area in Auckland. The writer, Renee Liang, wanted to show why this area should not be changed by city plans. Before the show, the cast shared their own stories and languages to create the characters.
- Captain Festus McBoyle (2015): This show was described as "very tongue-in-cheek" and "absolute chaos." It was like an old-school pantomime, full of fun and silliness.
- Children's Musicals (2014/2015): Gary Daverne directed three children's musicals at the Theatre, including The Rockin' Tale of Snow White, Cats of Ponsonby, and Robyn Hood - Outlaw Princess.
- Where We Once Belonged (2012): This play was an adaptation of a novel and was part of the Going West Festival. Set in a village in Samoa, it explored how a person's identity is connected to their family and community. Reviewers called it "exuberant, hilarious and humane."
- Paper Sky - A Love Story (2011): This performance was praised for its "breathtaking" design and "magical" music. It was a beautiful show with many moments of wonder.
- Blood Brothers (2008): Directed by Jesse Peach, this show was a heartfelt story about working-class life. It was noted for capturing the ups and downs with a lively and emotional feel.
- Equus (2007): This play, a psychological story, had won awards on London's Broadway. Producer Jesse Peach brought it to the Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre. The play explored deep questions about life and human behavior.
- The Deadly House Party (2007): Interacting Theatre, a group that supports arts for people with disabilities, ran drama workshops. Performers from these workshops starred in this production. In 2011, Paula Crimmens, the founder of Interacting Theatre, started the annual InterACT Disability Arts Festival at the Playhouse Theatre and other venues. She wanted to create a festival where disabled people could feel at home and enjoy many arts activities.
