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one thousand persons. The dress circle and orchestral stall seats are of the latest pattern, with cast-iron frames and upholstered backs, the latter to tip up, thus giving ample room for persons to pass in front of those sitting down…" The circle itself was supported from below by 18 cast iron pillars, painted to imitate marble, and which spoiled the view of patrons. Even today patrons avoid buying seats located too close to the pillars. Behind the circle was a reception and refreshment room”.
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These include grand opera, operetta, tribute concerts, piano recitals, orchestral concerts, school events, lectures, graduation ceremonies, fashion shows, dance of all forms, and floral theatre. Functions requiring a stage and auditorium style seating can be accommodated. Wedding ceremonies have been
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The
Wanganui Herald of the day recorded that "the building which is of wood, resting on massive concrete foundations, all the inside walls being plastered. In size, it compares favorably with any theatre in the colony, the auditorium measuring 60 ft by 60 ft, affording seating accommodation for over
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shares, 4000 were offered to the public. The council announced a competition to design the opera house, to be sited beside the council chambers in St Hill St. The successful architect was to be rewarded with supervision of the job, and a commission of five percent on the total cost, with a second
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1989 – Council retains control of Opera House for at least 12 months more. Friends of the Opera House steering committee established. Membership drive for
Friends of the Opera House begins. Smoke detectors installed. Foodtown donates $ 10,000 for refurbishing the orchestra pit. Girvan Corporation
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architect, George
Stevenson, was announced in January, 1899. Stevenson died that July, the day on which the foundation stone was laid. A retired Whanganui builder, James Tawse, took over supervision free of charge. The tender of £4597 was awarded to a former employee of his, Swiss-born Nicholas
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Thomson notes that "the auditorium was comparatively narrow, and the circle ended at the proscenium on each side, "strengthening the intimacy of relationship between actors and audience". Ten large windows provided some ventilation and lit the auditorium and dress circle in the day time. Other
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ventilation was provided with "twenty-two ‘a hit and miss’ ventilator fitted into the walls, and in the dome itself is an ornamental cast-iron ventilator. At night electricity was used to light the theatre, ‘power for which is derived from a 16 hp
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1993 – Stage replaced. Seventeen volunteers help to lay * 3500 – lineal metres of matai timber, and hammer in 15,500 nails. Old flooring reused in the foyer of the
Whanganui Riverboat Restoration and Navigation Trust's Riverboat centre in Taupo
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The general design of the building is of the Tuscan order (pillars and pilasters) for the lower storey and the Doric for the upper one, and somewhat in keeping with the
Borough's other building alongside, the Council Chambers.
220:. Copies are displayed in the bar/sweet stall lounge at the Opera House. The six sheets show "plans at basement, ground floor and dress circle levels, a longitudinal cross-section, and external elevations.
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1997 – Discussions to extend annexe. Historic Places Trust agrees to 15 m by 13 m corrugated iron extension to maintain historic connections. Plans include room for set construction and catering kitchen.
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1999 – Annexe construction begins. Centennial celebrations begin. October: Royal charter given to the Opera House as part of the centennial celebrations. Name changed to Royal
Wanganui Opera House
194:, an investigative committee was established and the council agreed to proceed. The Wanganui Opera House Company published a prospectus in a local newspaper in March 1897. Of the 5000
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performed and the stage can accommodate a reception of up to 80. The Opera House has its own ticketing system but maintains a link to TicketDirect
Network.
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1991 – Exit doors installed at either side of the building replace two doors at the front of the building and make room for upgraded toilet facilities.
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1992 – New toilet facilities provided, including a paraplegic toilet. Upstairs area becomes lounge, bar and new sweet stall.
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2015 – Whanganui
District Council has determined that the building is earthquake prone under the Building Act 2004.
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190:“record reign” should be commemorated by the building of an opera house. The idea was supported by Mayor
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1911 – Engineer told to prepare specifications and tenders invited for erecting stage.
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1996 – Historic Places Trust awards
Category One grading to the Opera House.
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1913 – The committee decided to recover 300 armrests, in
Utrecht velvet.
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1912 – Larger music stands and improved lamp holders for the orchestra.
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1995 – Newly installed sprinklers save Opera House from arson attempt.
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Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic places in Manawatū-Whanganui
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1991 – $ 51,000 Lotteries Commission grant towards sprinkler system.
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1910 – Agreement in July to cover stage entrance before next winter.
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1992 – New toilet facilities completed. Seat refurbishment begins.
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1986 – Staff member Dave Brough died while working in the circle.
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1915 – Staircase to dress circle treated with dark spirit stain.
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In 1897, Wanganui Borough Councillor F.M. Spurdle proposed that
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pledges at least $ * 5000 – through pre-Christmas competition.
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1920 – Alterations to Opera House - movie theatre established.
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1918 – Council suggests Opera House could become Fire Station.
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1937 – Fire in sweet stall closes theatre for several months.
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1967 – Gray's attention drawn to deterioration in paintwork.
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1909 – Handrails provided on stairs leading to Dress Circle.
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1898 – Competition to design an Opera House for Wanganui.
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1921 – Modification of seats with central aisle created.
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1897 – Council discusses need for Municipal Opera House.
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Organisations based in New Zealand with royal patronage
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1899 – Foundation stone laid by Mayor Alexander Hatrick
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Meuli, who ran his own building company in Whanganui.
51:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
326:1905 – Wanganui Liedertafel - 20th Grand Concert.
199:prize of £40 and third prize of £20. The winner,
455:. No. 9554. 29 September 1898. p. 2.
174:The Opera House in 1967, before the paint job.
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216:The plans Stevenson drew up are held in the
127:Royal Whanganui Opera House in New Zealand
571:Tourist attractions in Manawatū-Whanganui
371:1956 – Custodian/manager collapses, dies.
111:Learn how and when to remove this message
154:. Located on St Hill Street in central
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347:1917 – Engineer reports on ventilation.
182:The interior of the Opera House in 2014
556:Buildings and structures in Whanganui
467:"Notices up at quake prone buildings"
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49:adding citations to reliable sources
504:"Royal Wanganui Opera House" online
301:1900 – Official opening by Premier
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581:1900s architecture in New Zealand
402:1990 – Orchestra pit refurbished.
16:Theatre in Whanganui, New Zealand
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36:needs additional citations for
566:Music venues completed in 1900
259:format but may read better as
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374:1957 – Opera House Debt free.
60:"Royal Whanganui Opera House"
359:1930 – Wiring reconditioned.
586:Opera houses in New Zealand
383:1963 – Exterior repainting.
362:1934 – First loan paid off.
133:Royal Whanganui Opera House
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377:1958 – Gas engine removed.
218:Whanganui Regional Museum
451:"Proposed Opera House".
135:is a theatre located in
561:Theatres in New Zealand
380:1962 – Stairs carpeted.
323:1901 – Water main laid.
316:performed 9 January by
268:converting this section
143:. Built in 1899, it is
527:39.93456°S 175.05180°E
491:A Grand Victorian Lady
471:The New Zealand Herald
392:1978 – Fire in annexe.
389:1964 – Dome repainted.
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532:-39.93456; 175.05180
368:1938 – Annexe added.
308:1900 – First shows,
45:improve this article
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489:Excerpt taken from
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