Odeon Theatre, Christchurch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Odeon Theatre |
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The Odeon Theatre in Tuam Street, Christchurch (October 2010)
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| Former names |
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| General information | |
| Type | Former theatre |
| Architectural style | Italianate architecture with Venetian Gothic elements |
| Location | Christchurch Central City |
| Address | 214 Tuam Street |
| Town or city | Christchurch |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 43°32′8″S 172°38′21″E / 43.53556°S 172.63917°E |
| Completed | 1883 |
| Inaugurated | 20 July 1883 |
| Renovated | 1927 |
| Demolished | September 2012 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Unreinforced masonry |
| Floor count | two |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Stoddart Lambert |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Sidney Luttrell |
| Designated: | 26 November 1981 |
| Reference #: | 3140 |
The Odeon Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, was a very old and important building. It was the oldest theatre in New Zealand built with bricks and stone. It was also one of only three theatres from the 1800s still standing in the country. Over the years, this building had many different names and was used for many things.
Sadly, the theatre was badly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake on February 22, 2011. It was so damaged that it couldn't be fixed. Parts of it were taken down in September 2012. The Odeon Theatre was special because it was a "Category I heritage building." This means it was officially recognized as a very important historical place in New Zealand. A famous part of its history is that Kate Sheppard used it for public meetings during her campaign for women to get the right to vote.
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What is the Odeon Theatre's History?
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The Odeon Theatre was built in 1883. A group of citizens formed a company called the Public Hall Company Ltd. They hired an architect named Thomas Stoddart Lambert to design the building. The theatre was located at 214 Tuam Street in Christchurch.
When it first opened, the theatre was very large. It could hold about 2,200 people, with 600 seats in the upper balcony. The stage was also very big, about 18 meters wide and 12 meters deep. The building officially opened on July 20, 1883. The Mayor of Christchurch, George Ruddenklau, was there for the opening.
How Was the Theatre Used?
The building was first called the Tuam Street Hall or Tuam Street Theatre. It was used for many different activities. People held public meetings there, watched entertainment, saw exhibitions, and even used it as a roller skating rink.
In 1893, the building played a big role in New Zealand's history. Kate Sheppard, a leader in the women's suffrage movement, used it. Women's suffrage meant women fighting for the right to vote. On September 19, 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world where women could vote. Just a week later, on September 26, Kate Sheppard held a meeting at Tuam Street Hall. She helped 600 women register to vote for the 1893 New Zealand general election that November.
Name Changes and New Entertainment
In 1894, the building's name changed to the Opera House. Around this time, a type of entertainment called Vaudeville was very popular. Vaudeville shows had many different acts, like singing, dancing, comedy, and magic. A theatre company run by John Fuller's son, Benjamin, started using the building in 1903.
In 1927, the building got a big makeover inside. An architect named Sidney Luttrell redesigned it. It reopened on December 26, 1927, with seating for 1,300 people. The stage was made even bigger, and there were 19 dressing rooms.
When movies became popular in 1930, the building's name changed again to St James. Even though it was a movie theatre, the stage was still there. Sometimes, live shows and performances were still held. The St James theatre closed for a while during the Great Depression, a time when many people had little money. Famous performers like the Trapp Family Singers, Stanley Holloway, Johnny Devlin, Laurence Olivier, and Vivien Leigh performed there in the 1940s.
In 1960, the building was bought by a company called Kerridge-Odeon Ltd. They renamed it Odeon and reopened it on September 27, 1960. More changes were made, including removing a tall decorative wall at the top of the building. The number of seats was reduced to 720, and the movie equipment was updated. A coffee lounge was also added.
Over time, fewer people went to the theatre because television became popular. Eventually, the Odeon closed. In 1983, a church group called the Sydenham Assembly of God bought the building. They used it for their religious meetings starting in 1985.
Later Years and the Yellow Cross
In 2003, a group of business people bought the building. They wanted to tear it down, but local residents formed the Odeon Theatre Trust to try and save it. In 2006, another company, Property Ventures Ltd, bought the theatre.
During the years the Sydenham Assembly of God owned the building, a large, bright yellow cross was placed on the front of the theatre. Later, when the building was sold, this cross was moved. It was used in a nearby area called SOL Square, where one of the bars was even named the Yellow Cross, with the cross displayed on its roof.
In 2009, a Christchurch actor and director named Mark Hadlow suggested that the Odeon Theatre should be turned into a big arts center. He thought it would cost about NZ$60 million.
Why is the Odeon Theatre a Heritage Building?
On November 26, 1981, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust officially listed the Odeon Theatre as a Category I historic place. Its special number is 3140. This means it is recognized as a place of "special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value."
The building is important for several reasons:
- It was once the biggest public meeting place in Christchurch.
- It was the oldest theatre still standing in Christchurch.
- It was the oldest theatre in the country made of bricks and stone.
- It was used by Kate Sheppard during her important campaign for women's voting rights.
- It is connected to two important Christchurch designers, Thomas Stoddart Lambert and Sidney Luttrell.
What Happened After the Earthquake?
The Odeon Theatre was severely damaged in the big 2011 Christchurch earthquake in February 2011. In January 2012, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority ordered that the building be torn down. In September 2012, the back part of the building was demolished.
For a while, the front of the building was protected by a tall wall of shipping containers placed in Tuam Street. This was to keep people safe from falling debris.
In 2020, the Regional Council Environment Canterbury (ECan) bought the building and the land around it. They paid $2.95 million. In March 2022, ECan started looking for businesses and ideas to help restore the theatre. The Odeon still has its Category I listing with Heritage New Zealand, showing how important it is to the country's history and culture.
Images for kids
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A stack of shipping containers covering the entrance to the theatre.
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The front of the Odeon Theatre in 2024, after the shipping containers were removed.
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