Description of the attraction
Theater Saint James (or Theater Saint James) is located in the heart of New Zealand's capital, Wellington.
When His Majesty's Theater (later named St. James's Theater) was built in 1912, it was the largest theater in New Zealand, Australia and the surrounding islands. The craftsmanship of the architect Henry White, who built the theater building, was widely known on both sides of the Tasman Sea. In addition to St James's Theater in Wellington, Henry White has designed 120 theaters. Saint James was the first in this hemisphere to have a steel and reinforced concrete frame. The stage intended for vaudeville was lower and wider than in other theaters, which brought the viewer closer to the actors. The interior of the auditorium was decorated with cherubs, intricate curls, gilded lyres, harps, cupids, and drama and comedy masks.
In the 1980s, the building of the Theater was threatened with demolition. Then the people of Wellington stood up for him. Under the leadership of the photographer Grant Sheehan, and later Peter Harcourt, an entire campaign was organized against the demolition of the building, which was successful. The building was not demolished. Wellington City Council established the St. James Theater Foundation and agreed to provide $ 10.7 million for the renovation and modernization of the theater. Other sponsors were also found, thanks to whom it was possible to raise $ 21.4 million, which went to the redevelopment of the building.
St James's Theater has been awarded the first category of Outstanding Cultural and Historic Buildings by the New Zealand Organization for Historic Places.
The auditorium of the theater is designed for 1,552 seats, the banquet hall can accommodate 289 people, and the auditorium of the theater - 320 people. In the large lobby of the theater, you can grab a bite to eat at Jimmy's Café.
The theater serves as the main venue for the most significant celebrations in Wellington: awards, prizes, grand concerts and shows, exhibitions, presentations, etc.
