Theatres - Decoration

Date: 1849 - 1850

From: Illustrated London news :Clippings related to New Zealand [ca 1842-1890]

By: Illustrated London news (Newspaper); Marriott, James Henry, 1799?-1886

Reference: E-106-f-008-2

Description: A view from above the auditorium of the Theatre (in Manners Street, next to the Ship Hotel), looking down towards three large tressle tables, with diners, and towards the stage, which contains further tables and a man raising his glass in a toast. The walls and ceilings are decorated with trompe l'oeuil paintings, there are corinthian columns on both sides and chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling. From a drawing by J. H. Marriott, who was also responsible for the decoration and wall-painting for the occasion, and for producing an engraving of the scene. It is not known whether the Illustrated London news wood engraving was based on Marriott's drawing (or watercolour) or on a subsequent engraving. The event took place on 3 March 1849 and the `object of the gathering was to give a public demonstration in favour of the agitation for Representative Institution. Nearly 200 people attended' (London Daily News of 22 June 1849). There were speeches, a band, and items were sung. See Ward, Louis. Early Wellington, p. 152-153. Extended Title - From: Illustrated London news, 12 January, 1850, p. 20 Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Wood engraving, 184 x 245 mm

Date: 23 Nov 2000

From: Auckland Civic Theatre Year 2000 Oral Archive project

By: Zalinski, Rona von, active 2000

Reference: OHInt-0546-11

Description: Rona von Zalinski worked as secretary to Thomas A O'Brien who built the Civic Theatre in 1929. Recalls that Mr A L O'Brien worked with his brother Thomas A O'Brien. Describes the number of theatres owned by Mr O'Brien. Describes being sent to Rainers Commercial College by Mr O'Brien, working very long hours and not being paid extra for this work. Describes her work which included banking, employing people and putting them off and being `girl Friday' in addition to secretarial work. Mentions the theatres the Rialto, the Regent, the Britannia, the Royal, the Princess, the Plaza, the Picturedome and Everybody's. Describes opening night at the Civic Theatre. Recalls the oriental atmosphere incuding decor and costumes. Describes how the first half of an evening's programme at the Civic was the Wurlitzer organ, the orchestra on a barge (gondola) and the dancing girls with the newsreel, comedy and feature film after the interval. Mentions supper after the show and dancing at the Wintergarden, which was managed by Fred Carr. Talks about being a member of the Milford Surf Lifesaving Club and having to give it up because of work. Describes Mr O'Brien's bankruptcy in 1932 during the Depression. Interviewer(s) - Anna Soutar Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) (printed). 1 Electronic document(s) (transcript). 1 interview(s). Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3083, OHDL-001754 (partial transcripts).

Date: 1849

By: Illustrated London news (Newspaper); Marriott, James Henry, 1799?-1886

Reference: PUBL-0033-1850-020

Description: A view from above the auditorium of the Theatre (in Manners Street, next to the Ship Hotel), looking down towards three large tressle tables, with diners, and towards the stage, which contains further tables and a man raising his glass in a toast. The walls and ceilings are decorated with trompe l'oeuil paintings, there are corinthian colums on both sides and chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling. From a drawing by J. H. Marriott, who was also responsible for the decoration and wall-painting for the occasion, and for producing an engraving of the scene. It is not known whether the Illustrated London news woodengraving was based on Marriott's drawing (or watercolour) or on a subsequent engraving. The event took place on 3 March 1849 and the 'object of the gathering was to give a public demonstration in favour of the agitation for Representative Institution. Nearly 200 people attended' (London Daily News of 22 June 1849). There were speeches, a band, and items were sung. See Ward, Louis. Early Wellington, p. 152-153. Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Wood engraving, 184 x 215 mm

Date: 1892

From: [Theatre programmes for opera performances in New Zealand. 1890s].

Reference: Eph-B-OPERA-1892-01-front

Description: Programme cover shows an illustration of two opera boxes, one above the other, at a theatre beside the stage. A woman sits and a man stands looking through opera glasses in the upper box. In the lower box sit two couples. The title of the performance appears at the right. Below the image is an advertisement for the Victoria Insurance Company, and the whole is surrounded by a border advertising the D.I.C. department store. Quantity: 1 colour art print(s). Physical Description: Engraving on front cover of programme, 275 x 220 mm.