Regent Theatre, 37 Cathedral Square

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

The Royal Exchange Building under construction

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

Looking South-East to the Regent Theatre building

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

The Royal Exchange Building near completion

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

Godley statue, Cathedral Square, Christchurch

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

From the Royal Exchange to the Regent Theatre

The Royal Exchange Building under construction

April 1905

Located in Cathedral Square. When completed this edifice will be one of the handsomest in Christchurch.

Area: Central City / Cathedral Square

Source: The weekly press, 12 April 1905, p. 41

Reference ID: CCL-KPCD09-0076

Uploaded by: Christchurch City Libraries

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Looking South-East to the Regent Theatre building

1993

View from Noah's carpark. BNZ and Telecom Buildings in the background.

Area: Central City / Cathedral Square

Source: Entry in the 2013 Christchurch City Libraries Photo Hunt

Source: View in Canterbury Stories

Reference ID: CCL-PH13-405

Uploaded by: CCL Photo Hunt

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand License

The Royal Exchange Building near completion

1905

To the left is the chief post office and opposite is the AMP Society building The Royal Exchange buildings originally housed a selection of merchants, general doctors and solicitors, accountants. In 1930, however, the main function of this attractive building was somewhat different. The grand opening of the Regent Theatre was announced and the first screening was a presentation of musical comedy Paramount on Parade on Sat. 16 Aug. 1930. The spectacular theatre, designed with a distinctive Spanish flavour, had foyers boasting picturesque towers and porticos, ornate mirrors, stucco walls, Spanish chairs and chesterfields, set off with parlour palms and shaded light. The most outstanding feature was the theatre interior itself. Above, the dome shaped ceiling gave the illusion of an open sky, darkened by black myriads of shining stars. Fleecy clouds passed overhead and a bright sun with rays sprawling donned the lavish drapings of the proscenium. The Regent remained largely unchanged for almost fifty years until a suspicious fire gutted the auditorium on November 5 (Guy Fawkes Day) 1979. The last film to screen at the old theatre. as "Rocky II", starring Sylvestor Stallone. It was re-opened on November 18, 1981, with the exterior authentically rebuilt. This time its debut screening was a local film, "Race For the Yankee Zephyr". Press, 6.11.1979 Press, 18.11.1981 Press, 16.8.1930

Area: Central City / Cathedral Square

Black and white

Source: The weekly press, 12 April. 1905, p. 41

Reference ID: CCL-KPCD05-0092

Uploaded by: Christchurch City Libraries

Regent Theatre, Worcester Street

The Royal Exchange buildings originally housed a selection of merchants, general doctors and solicitors, accountants. By 1930, however, the main function of this attractive building was somewhat different. The grand opening of the Regent Theatre was announced and the first screening was a presentation of musical comedy Paramount on Parade on Saturday 16 August 1930. The spectacular theatre, designed with a distinctive Spanish flavour, had foyers boasting picturesque towers and porticos, ornate mirrors, stucco walls, Spanish chairs and chesterfields, set off with parlour palms and shaded light. The most outstanding feature was the theatre interior itself. Above, the dome shaped ceiling gave the illusion of an open sky, darkened by black myriads of shining stars. Fleecy clouds passed overhead and a bright sun with rays sprawling donned the lavish drapings of the proscenium.

Area: Central City / Cathedral Square

Source: Kete Christchurch

Reference ID: CCL-Kete-10161

Uploaded by: Christchurch City Libraries

Regent Theatre, Cathedral Square

1940s

The Royal Exchange buildings originally housed a selection of merchants, general doctors and solicitors, accountants. In 1930, however, the main function of this attractive building was somewhat different. The grand opening of the Regent Theatre was announced and the first screening was a presentation of musical comedy Paramount on Parade on Sat. 16 Aug. 1930. The spectacular theatre, designed with a distinctive Spanish flavour, had foyers boasting picturesque towers and porticos, ornate mirrors, stucco walls, Spanish chairs and chesterfields, set off with parlour palms and shaded light. The most outstanding feature was the theatre interior itself. Above, the dome shaped ceiling gave the illusion of an open sky, darkened by black myriads of shining stars. Fleecy clouds passed overhead and a bright sun with rays sprawling donned the lavish drapings of the proscenium. The Regent remained largely unchanged for almost fifty years until a suspicious fire gutted the auditorium on November 5 (Guy Fawkes Day) 1979. The last film to screen at the old theatre. as "Rocky II", starring Sylvestor Stallone. It was re-opened on November 18, 1981, with the exterior authentically rebuilt. This time its debut screening was a local film, "Race For the Yankee Zephyr". Press, 6.11.1979 Press, 18.11.1981 Press, 16.8.1930

Creator: Arthur Francis Stacey

Area: Central City / Cathedral Square