St James Theatre, Historic theatre in central Wellington, New Zealand.
St James Theatre is a theatre in central Wellington featuring marble detailing, carved face masks, and ornamental cherubs throughout its interior. The building was constructed entirely with a steel frame and concrete structure to support its performance space.
The building was designed in 1912 by architect Henry Eli White and was the first theatre constructed entirely from steel frame and concrete. This construction method was groundbreaking at the time and established new standards for theatre buildings.
The theatre served as a center for silent film culture before transitioning into a stage for diverse live performances. Today visitors experience dance, opera, and theatrical productions within its walls.
The theatre is located near several bus stops and is easily accessible by public transport. It provides wheelchair access and hearing assistance devices for all performances.
The building employs an arc-shaped seating arrangement that allows most seating areas to be designed without large support pillars. This clever design solution was unconventional for its time and demonstrates the architect's innovative approach.
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