The Mercury Theatre, a very important part of Auckland’s history, has a lively past.
in 1968, Benjamin’s brief to Bartley was to build an up-to-date and safe, luxurious theatre. The auditorium and stage were to be lit with electricity rather than gas which was hazardous, and asbestos drop curtains were to be installed in case of fire. The interior fit-out consisted of concrete staircases and ceilings made of pressed tin panels. The Edwardian Baroque theatre was intended to be a live drama venue but was designed with facilities to screen ‘Electric Moving Pictures’ as well, so it was the first purpose-built cinema in Auckland and survives to this day because of this flexibility. It is also a rare example in New Zealand of the transition between theatre and cinema. For this purpose the design dispensed with boxes in favour of a linking stair between the stalls and circle. Despite these modifications it remains a significant example of Edwardian theatre design.
The theatre is three stories in height. Applied decorations are confined to the exterior facade with the sides and rear of plain brick with regularly spaced rectangular windows. The main elevation has a verandah supported by heavy consoles and ties fixed to plaster lion-head mountings. The auditorium although altered over the years, retains some important features. The horseshoe shaped circle has an ornately decorated plaster balcony. Triple arches each side of the stage are ornamented with egg and dart beading and decorated busts once sat within the arches. The remainder of the walls have been soundproofed and the vestibule has been converted into a theatrette but the auditorium’s beamed ceiling still remains. The Worthington Bar, part of a later addition has a black and white tiled floor with a Star of David pattern.
In 1926 a new entrance was created on Karangahape Road and the Dome Room was added at the end of the arcade where black and white tiled floors are still in place. A marble staircase with a steel balustrade leads to this addition, so named because of its elliptical glass leadlight. By 1968 this area had become the Norman Ng building and the entrance was no longer available so the initial France Street entrance was reopened. At this time the cinema was converted to live theatre and became the Mercury Theatre Company’s home. The auditorium was reduced in size, some of the rear stalls were partitioned off to create a larger lobby. The rear part of the circle was separated from the auditorium thus creating a space for smaller productions.
At least 12 productions were played annually after this period ranging from children’s pantomimes to serious tragedy-dramas including those by Shakespeare and Chekhov. Notable actors who performed at the theatre include, George Henare, Michael Hurst, Ian Mune to name just a few. Raymond Hawthorne joined the theatre in 1971 and became its artistic director from 1985 till 1992. Though well patronised, running costs forced its closure that year. the Auckland City Council renamed France Street as Mercury Lane to honour this memory. The Equippers Church who now own the building have made it available for theatrical performances and shows. (DEIRDRE ROELANTS)