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Planes, Trains and Automobiles:

CATHS Visits New Zealand

10-26 November 2005

For Australians, New Zealand is an ON THE ROAD
ideal destination for a study of theatre The journey from Christchurch took
design and trends in film exhibition. The a typical tourist route; driving south to
history of the two countries and their Invercargill, then north-west and up to
geographic proximity also intertwined take in the west coast as far as
the growth of companies which would Westport. What was less typical were
dominate theatre and cinema exhibition. the detours to check out any buildings
The Fuller brothers, J. C. Williamson with the classic stepped roof-line.
Ltd. and Hoyts, and their architects - At all scheduled stops and extras,
Henry White, Cedric Ballantyne and theatre managers, or the owners of
Charles Hollinshed - are remembered on now defunct theatres were
both sides of the Tasman. With the ‘can generous with their time and
do’ attitude typical of the times, information.
technically adventurous pioneers in both From Greymouth we travelled
countries built projectors and sound on the famous Trans Alpine Express
heads which enabled smaller exhibitors back to Christchurch. Over 15 days The situation in Australia is similar,
to stay in business. CATHS members were welcomed into with regional arts grants available to
The visit was timed to coincide with theatres large and small, new, old, and retain a community resource such as a
the NZ Film Buffs Bi-Annual Weekend. demoted to new uses. The group theatre. However, the source of the
The location was Christchurch, climbed narrow stairs to cramped bio- government grant, which probably is
unofficial capital of the South Island, boxes or handsome projection suites, gambling, is rarely acknowledged.
and over two days, both groups renewed sometimes fossicked in damp, back- An additional expense in NZ theatre
friendships or began them. Over stage nooks and toured air-conditioned upgrades is the requirement to
partying, the famous Buffs auction of dressing rooms. At other times it was strengthen public buildings against
memorabilia, visits to home cinemas and noses pushed up against glass panes, earthquakes. At the Theatre Royal,
a formal dinner, local organizer Bryan or a ‘drive-by’ to add another name to Timaru and Civic, Invercargill the
Ellis and his wife Dawn ensured that the the tally. new ‘corset’ is totally disguised. On
23 CATHS visitors were amongst locals The final list was 25 in-depth lesser budgets steel-work across the
who would share their knowledge of the inspections of working or former auditorium is discreet but visible.
South Island theatre scene. theatres, and 13 external assessments, The early prosperity of the NZ east
sufficient to gain a view of the health of coast, from Christchurch to Invercargill,
the industry. Some enthusiasts found or has parallels with southern Australia.
inspected at least ten other theatres. The wealth derived from the
And if on occasion the thought of agricultural regions of the greater
another interior, another staircase or Canterbury Plains and gold from the
another history began to pall, there was hinterland allowed for cities in the
always the consolation that when back high-Victorian style, and the best of
in the bus, a magnificent forest, or lake their theatres followed suit.
or scenic train ride was around the next
In the north the Isaac Theatre
corner.
Royal, Christchurch (1908) and in the
In New Zealand much of the funding south the Civic, Invercargill (1906) - in
for community projects, including the this article theatres are given their
restoration of theatres is assisted by current name - exemplify the British
government taxes on gaming. In answer style of the 1880s, with Edwardian
to “Who paid for this?” the New Zealand flourishes. Of course every generation
Lottery Board was frequently mentioned. makes changes to even the best theatres.
Donations from civic-minded companies Cedric Ballantyne made alterations to
and rate-payers were the other sources. the Isaac Theatre Royal in 1928.
In smaller communities, theatre Theatre’s debt to Shakespeare is
ownership has passed to the local acknowledged in both buildings: at the
council, who have vested the Isaac Theatre Royal the figures in the
responsibility for day-to-day dome illustrate A Midsummer Night’s
management with a community group Dream, and the Bard’s face looks out
comprising paid staff and volunteers.

6 2006 CINEMARECORD