Theatre Royal moments in history

Before Pae Korokī and Papers Past, the New Zealand Room librarians would note topics of interest in an alphabetised card catalogue, this is their selection of Theatre Royal stories from the Bay of Plenty Times and other sources.

1866 - By kind permission of Colonel Hamilton will be performed for the benefit of the Mr George Two Acts by John Baldwen Huckstone Esq member of the Dramatic Society etc. Tauranga Argus, 1 December 1866.

1873 - Theatre Royal also called Fraser's Hall. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 August 1873, p. 3.

1878 - Temporary Port Offices opened in Theatre Royal after Government Building fire. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 May 1878. [Librarian note querying if this should be 1902].

1893 August:

Work on new theatre in Harrington Street is being pushed on rapidly....chairs due to arrive from Auckland. Stage the largest this side of Auckland. Bay of Plenty Times, 25 August 1893.
Transformation of old theatre. Bay of Plenty Times, 30 August 1893.

1893 September:

Harington Street Hall has been refitted and christened the Theatre Royal. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 September 1893.
Theatre Royal quite transformed. Bay of Plenty Times, 6 September 1893.
Opened with a full house. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 September 1893.

1893 December - D. Asher hs taken over it's whole management. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 December 1893.

1897 - Chas Mackie's Cinematograph at Theatre Royal. Bay of Plenty Times, 10 and 12 March 1897.

1904 - Mr J.C. Adams has commenced the improvements to the Theatre Royal, consisting of lining the whole building and removing the staircase to the room adjoining the passage. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 August 1904.

1906 - Comment on the accommodation and seats. Bay of Plenty Times, 28 February 1906.

1907 - Valentine's Picture Company showed movies in the Theatre Royal etc. During past year or two cinematographs have visited this town. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 July 1907.

1908 - Bryants Entertainers. List of films also given, held in Theatre Royal. Bay of Plenty Times, 22 January 1908.

1908 - The local branch of the Salvation Army has decided to hold Sunday Services in the Theatre Royal starting on 4 October 1908. Bay of Plenty Times, 30 September 1908.

1909 - Public skating rink opened in it by C.C. Norris to run through the winter months. Bay of Plenty Times, 14 July 1909.

1910 - Boy Scouts' At Home. Kindly assisted by Brass Band. Bay of Plenty Times, 25 July 1910, Page 3 Column 2. [Directly under this advertisement is another from the Baden Powell Boy Scouts saying they are "in no way connected with the above organisation". A mystery to be resolved].

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Theatre Royal moments in history