Regent Theatre, Dunedin facts for kids
The Regent Theatre is a famous theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand. It can seat about 1,650 people. You can find it in The Octagon, which is the main square in the city. It's right across from the city's main building, the Municipal Chambers, and close to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
The Regent Theatre, Dunedin in 2007
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| Address | 17 The Octagon Dunedin New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 45°52′29″S 170°30′14″E / 45.874649°S 170.503988°E |
| Owner | Otago Theatre Trust |
| Designation | Historic Place - Category I |
| Capacity | 1,684 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1 June 1928 |
| Architect | James Hodge White |
| Website | |
| www.regenttheatre.co.nz | |
| Designated: | 26 November 1987 |
| Reference #: | 4363 |
Contents
The Regent Theatre's Story
How the Theatre Began
The Regent Theatre first opened its doors on June 1, 1928. It was originally a huge cinema with seats for 2,000 people. The inside of the theatre is very fancy. It has a special design called "baroque style." This style was popular in big cinemas back then.
The theatre's design was inspired by another Regent cinema in Brighton, England. That cinema was built in 1921 but was later taken down. There were similar grand cinemas in other cities, but most of them no longer exist in their original form.
Who Designed the Regent?
The main architect who oversaw the building of the Dunedin Regent was James Hodge White. He was a key person in a Dunedin architecture company. The theatre was built behind an older building in The Octagon.
That older building was first opened in 1876. In 1928, it was changed to create the entrance we see for the theatre today.
Changes Over the Years
In 1973, a group called the Otago Theatre Trust bought the building. They changed it so it could be used for live shows and performances. Even today, it still works as a cinema during film festivals each year.
The Dunedin City Council now owns the theatre. At the end of 2010, the theatre started a big renovation project. They spent $7.5 million to upgrade the stage equipment, replace chairs, and put in new carpets. The theatre reopened on July 30, 2011, with a special concert to thank everyone who helped.
The Annual Book Sale
Why the Book Sale Happens
The Regent Theatre is run by a charity. This means it needs help from the local community to keep going. A very important way they get support is through the Regent 24-hour Book Sale.
This book sale is the biggest sale of used books in New Zealand. Many people say it's the largest in the entire Southern Hemisphere!
How the Book Sale Works
Every year since 1979, people donate books to the theatre. Volunteers then sell these books to raise money. More than 200,000 books are usually for sale each year. Most of them cost just NZ$1. There are also some special books that cost a bit more.
The price for a regular book was 50 cents until 2008, when it doubled. People travel from all over New Zealand to attend this sale. It has become a major event in Dunedin's calendar. The sale usually raises around $100,000 every year.
Recent Changes to the Sale
For many years, the sale was held at the theatre itself, usually in May. It lasted for one continuous 24-hour session. There was a break in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2023, the sale moved to the Edgar Centre in South Dunedin. This indoor stadium has much more space. Now, all donated items, including DVDs and CDs, are sold at the same time. Even though it's still called the "Regent 24-hour Book Sale," it now takes place over two 12-hour sessions. These sessions are held across one weekend in March. The book sale in 2024 raised a record $NZ 114,885.70.
Claimed Hauntings
The Regent Theatre has some interesting ghost stories. Some people who visit the theatre say they feel like someone is kicking the underside of their seats. Others have reported taps turning on by themselves or clocks stopping. The theatre was built on the site of buildings that were destroyed in a big fire in 1879. This fire happened in The Octagon.
