Isaac Theatre Royal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isaac Theatre Royal |
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Isaac Theatre Royal in April 2020
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| General information | |
| Type | Theatre |
| Architectural style | Edwardian |
| Location | Christchurch Central City |
| Address | 145 Gloucester Street |
| Town or city | Christchurch |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 43°31′47″S 172°38′18″E / 43.529724°S 172.638254°E |
| Construction started | 1906 |
| Completed | 1908 |
| Technical details | |
| Lifts/elevators | 1 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Sidney and Alfred Luttrell |
| Renovating team | |
| Other designers | Warren and Mahoney |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 1,290 |
| Designated: | 16 November 1989 |
| Reference #: | 1936 |
The Isaac Theatre Royal is a very old and special building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It used to be called the Theatre Royal. Two brothers, Sidney and Alfred Luttrell, designed it. This theatre was built in 1908. It is the only theatre left in New Zealand that still works and was built in the Edwardian style.
A Look Back: Theatre History
The Isaac Theatre Royal you see today is actually the third theatre with a similar name on Gloucester Street. The very first theatre was built in 1861. It was across the road from where the current theatre stands. This first building was first known as the Canterbury Music Hall.
Later, in 1876, a newer theatre replaced that first building on the same spot. Five years after this new theatre was finished, it was renamed the Theatre Royal. When the current Isaac Theatre Royal was built in 1908, the older theatre across the road was sold. A newspaper company called The Press owned it until the big Canterbury earthquakes.
Theatre Upgrades: Renovations
In 1928, the theatre was changed to become a cinema. During this change, the beautiful marble staircase you see today replaced the old wooden one.
More important work was done in 1999 and 2000. This work made the building much stronger against earthquakes. From 2004 to 2005, a huge nine-month project took place. It cost $6.2 million. The entire backstage area was taken down. This made space for a modern concrete "fly tower" and new dressing rooms. A fly tower is a tall space above the stage. It lets theatre crews raise and lower scenery and lights.
The "Proscenium arch" was also made wider by 1.5 metres. This is the arch that frames the stage. The stage and fly tower were made wider and deeper too. The public areas at the front of the theatre were also improved. It was during these 2004/5 renovations that the theatre became the Isaac Theatre Royal. This was done to honour a generous supporter named Lady Diana Isaac.
Earthquakes and Amazing Restoration
The theatre's main hall and entrance areas were badly damaged. This happened during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. They were also hit by the June 2011 aftershock. The theatre had to close for almost four years because of the damage.
Bringing the theatre back to life was a huge job. It cost $40 million. The building was completely fixed and made to meet modern safety rules. All the important old parts of the building were saved. Skilled craftspeople carefully restored them. For example, the beautiful dome in the main hall was completely rebuilt. It was made from a strong, light material called carbon fibre. The original painted mural from 1908 was recreated on it by Studio Carolina Izzo.
The newly restored Isaac Theatre Royal opened its doors again on 17 November 2014.
