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 cool place in Glen Eden, New Zealand where people go to watch shows and performances. It was built in 1937 after a fire destroyed the old Glen Eden Town Hall that stood there before. For many years, the theatre has been a special spot 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 staging plays. That's when its name officially changed to The Playhouse Theatre. Different theatre groups used the building over time. Eventually, they all joined together to form the Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust in 1997. After a lot of hard work and fundraising, the building got a big upgrade. It reopened in 2003 as a modern place for all kinds of performing arts.
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History of the Playhouse Theatre
In 1901, the very first public hall in Glen Eden opened on the same spot where the Playhouse Theatre is now. A local politician named John Bollard helped open it. This hall was the heart of social life for the Glen Eden community, which was then called Waikumete. People used it for showing films, holding town meetings, dances, and political gatherings.
In 1935, the old hall sadly burned down. Plans for a new building were shared in the newspaper. The new design was a "modern version" of a Georgian style. It would have a main hall that could seat 500 people. It also planned for a kitchen, dressing rooms, a small library, and town offices.
The new building officially opened on May 12, 1937. It had offices for the Town Board and could be used for many things. It was great for a library, dances, school events, and even indoor bowling. But it quickly became clear that it would mostly be 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.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, there were talks about fixing up the theatre. The Glen Eden Borough Council thought about spending money on repairs. They also wondered if the theatre was still important to the community. The Mayor even worried that not many people seemed interested in upgrading it.
New Beginnings for the Theatre
Despite the worries, three local theatre groups stepped in. These were St. Thomas's Light Opera Club, Western Players, and Auckland Children's Light Opera Society. They successfully asked the Glen Eden Borough Council to lease the hall. This allowed them to change its name to the Playhouse Theatre. They started their own group called Playhouse Productions, which became an official society in 1973.
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. They got the building ready for shows. In October 1972, Playhouse Productions put on their first public show, called A Night of Variety. It featured acts like "Z Cars" from Glen Eden Primary School. Between 1972 and 1992, Playhouse Productions put on over 87 shows. These included musicals, children's shows, and plays.
Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust
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. It was later renamed the Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust. This Trust, with a Council representative on its board, successfully applied for more community funding.
This money was used to make big improvements. They remodeled the front of the theatre and improved the supper room. They also added air conditioning to the main hall, which was redesigned to include an orchestra pit. 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 opening, the Waitakere City Council agreed to provide more money to finish the work.
Today, the Theatre is supported by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board. It is still used by its main group, Playhouse Theatre Incorporated. Many other groups also use the venue each year to present different performing arts events.
Theatre Management and Community Involvement
In 2004, the Trust received a grant to hire Sheryl Watson as a part-time theatre manager. Sheryl wrote for a community newsletter called The Titirangi Tatler, which later became The Fringe. She often wrote about the theatre's history and its role in the community. She also shared news about upcoming shows.
In 2008, Sheryl announced that the Playhouse had won a grand piano. They also received $5000 for training workshops after being nominated in a competition. Later that year, she shared that a local orchestra would perform at the theatre. In 2012, Sheryl noted how exciting it was for people to join a live show. She said there was a "real buzz" from being part of a production. Sadly, in 2014, the Trust's leader said they could no longer afford a theatre manager.
Working with the Council
In 2018, Janet Clews, a former Mayor of Glen Eden, hoped the Trust and the local Council would work together. She wanted to make sure this important community building would be cared for in the future. Records from the Waitakere Ranges Board show they have been working together. In November 2018, the Board accepted a presentation about planned additions to the theatre. They also noted that the theatre was doing well with events like the 'Annual Poetry Grand Slam'.
In 2019, Greg Presland, who leads the Local Board, suggested that the Board should encourage more use of The Playhouse. In November 2020, the Trust gave a presentation to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. They shared updates and ideas for the future. The Board thanked them and recognized the theatre's important role. They noted its contribution to the identity and energy of Glen Eden.
Installation of the Wurlitzer Organ
In 2017, it was announced that a special Wurlitzer organ would move to the Playhouse Theatre. This organ was previously at the Hollywood Cinema in Avondale, Auckland. Stan Henshaw, from the Playhouse Theatre Trust, said that having the Wurlitzer would be the first step in a planned expansion. This big project needed a lot of fundraising to cover the costs.
Cool Performances at the Playhouse Theatre
The Playhouse Theatre has hosted many exciting shows over the years. Here are a few examples:
- Spamalot (2019): This musical is based on a funny movie by Monty Python. The show was directed by Chris Lane. Reviewers loved its humor, satire, and slapstick comedy. They said the actors delivered their lines perfectly.
- Beauty and the Beast (2018): This was a special performance because it was a "next-gen" show. Everyone involved was under 18! The director, Matt Billington, was praised for making smooth and engaging scene changes. The set was interesting, and there was never a dull moment.
- 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 "upgraded" in a way that would change its unique culture. Before the show, the cast shared their own stories and languages. They created characters inspired by these experiences.
- Captain Festus McBoyle's show (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 Playhouse Theatre. These included The Rockin' Tale of Snow White, Cats of Ponsonby, and Robyn Hood - Outlaw Princess.
- Where We Once Belonged (2012): This play was part of the Going West Festival. It was based on a novel and set in a village in Samoa. The play explored how a person's identity is linked to their family, church, or community. Reviewers called the performance "exuberant, hilarious and humane."
- Paper Sky - A Love Story (2011): This show was praised for its "breathtaking" design and "magical" music. Reviewers found many moments of beauty and wonder in the performance.
- Blood Brothers (2008): Directed by Jesse Peach, this show was a heartfelt story. It captured the ups and downs of working-class life with a lot of emotion.
- The Deadly House Party (2007): Performers from drama workshops run by Interacting Theatre starred in this production. Interacting Theatre is a group that supports disability arts. In 2011, Paula Crimmens, the group's founder, started the annual InterACT Disability Arts Festival. This festival takes place at the Playhouse Theatre and other venues. She wanted to create a festival where disabled people felt at home and could enjoy many arts activities.
