The Auckland’s Civic Theatre is the southern hemisphere’s finest “atmospheric” theatre, (and also one of the only seven of its style remaining in the world) styled after a John Eberson design.
It gives an impression of being seated outdoors at night, under an open sky complete with twinkling stars and drifting clouds. Built by Thomas O’Brien it was the first purpose-built cinema of this type in New Zealand.
Construction commenced in February 1929 and it opened on 20th December the same year. Comprising a large auditorium, imitating a Moorish garden with turrets, minarets, spires and tiled roofs as well as two life sized Abyssinian panther statues with lit eyes it seated just under 3000 patrons. The foyer is decorated in an Indian temple design with seated Buddha, twisted columns and domed ceilings.
The lower level, the Wintergarden, was used as a cabaret also. This was converted into another cinema in 1973. In 1998 it ceased to be used solely as a cinema and after refurbishment - close to its original design - reopened as a lyric theatre and is used primarily for staged shows.
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