A dramatic history revisited

Click to enlarge

George Farrant welcomes guest to the St James Theatre tour on 24 September. Image: Alexander Goh

1 of 8

Attendees in the gloriously restored lobby. Image: Alexander Goh

2 of 8

Inside the theatre. Image: Alexander Goh

3 of 8

Curves and colours. Image: Alexander Goh

4 of 8

George Farrant. Image: Alexander Goh

5 of 8

Looking down into the theatre. Image: Alexander Goh

6 of 8

The mezzanine. Image: Alexander Goh

7 of 8

Modern images in the lobby. Image: Alexander Goh

8 of 8

As part of the recent Auckland Architecture Week 2015, Interior magazine and Resene presented a heritage tour through the St James Theatre in Auckland that took place on Thursday 24 September.

The St James Theatre Auckland has a storied past, built in 1928 and designed by prolific theatre architect Henry Eli White. The stage has hosted such lumanaires as Laurence Olivier, Vivian Leigh, Miles Davis, James Brown, Kanye West and the White Stripes.

The behind-the-scenes tour and talk was presented by George Farrant, Auckland Council principal heritage advisor, and Steve Bielby from Auckland Notable Properties Trust. Federico Monsalve, the editor of Interior, also gave a short introduction to the tour and talk.

The tour looked extensively at the who, why and how of this multi-million heritage refurbishment. It was a highly interesting and informative history of the theatre and its different spaces, and Farrant also shed light on what work is still left to be done. Refreshments and light snacks were served free of charge to all ticket holders.

For a further look into the restoration of the St James, a documentary titled The Show Goes On has been made by Margot McRae. On the importance of saving the St James, McRae comments, “For its architectural significance alone the St James needs to be saved. But just as important is its social importance. Old theatres are loved and valued firstly because of the memories they hold for people. In its 87 years the St James stage and screen has displayed a dazzling range of entertainment for Aucklanders.

“But the St James is immensely relevant for the future too. In an age when people can entertain themselves at their home computers and TV screens, many still want, and need, to gather together and be delighted and entertained alongside others. Glorious heritage theatres like the St James can fulfill that fundamental need like nothing else.”

The documentary will screen at the St James itself from Friday 9 October to Sunday 11 October. More information on times and prices here.

The trailer for The Show Goes On is below.