PROPOSAL FOR CIVIC THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 30, 30 October 1942, Page 6

PROPOSAL FOR CIVIC THEATRE

Competitions Society’s View TWO.HALLS AND STUDIOS

The view that .something more than a “little theatre” should be aimed for iu connexion with the construction of a civic centre in Wellington was expressed by several members during discussion o'f the project at the annual meeting of the Wellington Competitions Society last night. Tlie report, presented by the president, Mr. D. J. Constable, referred to the city council’s 'announcement of- the proposed plan for a civic block and pointed out that for many years the facilities of the Town Hall and Concert. Chamber bad been a source of increasing concern to the Competitions Society and kindred bodies. It had been hoped that plans for the civic centre would have included the provision of a Town Hall with facilities and accommodation of which the citizens anight justly be proud, including a smaller hall with greater capacity than the present Concert Chamber. Such amenities, the report continued, would have been of inestimable assistance to all societies and agencies interested in cultural education, and would have made a.great contribution to the opportunities extended to young popie for .self-expression and appreciation of the arts. The report stated that t.representations had been put forward bj’ the society that the civic centre should include: 1. A concert hall with modern facilities and permanent seating of approximately 1200 capacity; 2. a little theatre above the Concert Chamber with capacity of COO to 700; and 3, the inclusion of studios for teachers of music, elocution, and dancing, to make the building a real cultural centre.

During the discussion of general business the meeting examined the position as it had developed following the council’s reply to a deputation that the present extensions of the Town Hall would be fully, required for office accommodation and the added hint by the mayor, Mr. Hislop, that the site of the old Fire Brigade Station, opposite the Town Hall, might be the most suitable for the .purpose the deputation had in mind. Speakers emphasized that a little the--atre, accommodating six or seven hundred persons, would in itself be insufficient. The president pointed out that there had been dance recitals which had attracted up to, and more than, 1000 as audience.