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Kings Theatre Stratford.
| Address | The theatre is on Broadway the main street of Stratford next to the Taranaki Savings Bank. |
| Region | Taranaki |
| Email | |
| Phone | 06 765 8255 |
| Fax | 06 765 8255 |
| Contact Person | Barry Milner |
| Website | Coming soon www.kingstheatre.co.nz |
| Hours | We dont have set hours however phone for details. |
| Entrance Fee | Phone for pricing |
| Brochure Available? | No |
| Parking | Parking is available on Broadway out side the theatre for cars only. Buses are able to do a drop off then park on Miranda Street behind the theatre. |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Food Available | The Cript Lollie shop is available |
| Cafe/Restaurant available? | Yes |
| Seating | We can seat 334 for live theatre and 200 for the cinema. |
| Picnics | No |
| Wheelchair Access | Only for live theatre by request. |
| Dogs Allowed | No |
| Children Allowed | Yes |
| Accommodation | We are happy to recommend local accommodation in the area. |
| Sales/Shop | We have movie memorabilia/books/posters/tea shirts. |
| Other Facilities | The theatre houses the Bruce Cook 16 ml film collection which is available through out the year for public screenings and private screenings by arrangement.
The collection includes feature films, but more importantly a large catalogue of historic New Zealand news reels.
An ever growing collection of old equipment and movie memorabilia is on display through out the theatre.
Percy Thomson Art Gallery, Glockenspiel And Clock tower, and if you go to www.gardenstovisit.co.nz and search Taranaki you will find some beautiful gardens to visit and some have accommodation.
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Map
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About our AttractionStratford is the home of an important part of cinematography history. For a time the town could boast the existence of two separate theatres, a feat that was not common. Interestingly, it is the oldest of the two that still exists and is operational today.
In June 1916, there was a steering meeting held of Stratford Pictures and Amusement, the aim of which was to raise £8000 for the purchase of His Majesty’s Theatre from Mrs Diamond. The first general meeting was held in October that year and plans were subsequently made for the removal and construction of a new building. In 1917 the name “King’s” was approved and the Theatre was open and operating by 1919.
The theatre has a unique cinematic history, as it was the first theatre in the Southern Hemisphere to play the ‘Talkies” films, pictures with sound. On 1 April 1927, the publication of the ‘Amusements’ proclaimed: ‘To-night at the King’s Theatre the first public screening of the De Forest Phonofilm will be given and the public owe it to themselves as intelligent people intelligently interested in any event affecting their interests, to be present at the initial public demonstrations in the Southern hemisphere of the most remarkable scientific achievement of the last half-century.
In 1934 the Plaza Theatre was opened and thus began Stratford’s time of two theatres running. Inevitably though, television took its toll and the King’s Theatre was closed for a period of time while the Plaza flourished. However, in September 1969, it was decided to sell the Plaza Theatre (which was on the corner of Broadway and Regan Street where the Taranaki Farmers is now) and some of the seating from that theatre was to be transferred to the Regent (as the King’s was called then). And so the King’s Theatre was re-opened in November 1969, after being remodelled and renovated throughout.
The opening was celebrated with Broadway being spot-lit with coloured lighting and a parade of official guests rode in vintage cars along the street below. The Eltham Marching Girls and Stratford Pipe Band also processed along the street to the Theatre, where the Stratford Citizens Band was playing.
It seemed that the theatre would thrive again, and so it did for another 17 years. However,in 1986 it was decided they would shut their doors once more, if the patronage did not improve. This happened in September, and many thought that this may be the end of King’s Theatre’s proud 67 year history.
In March 1992 King’s Theatre once again opened, and in November they received a Lotteries Board grant to the value of $66,000. This money was awarded to renovate the Theatre. Construction was to include a new stage and dressing rooms, fire exits, and a foldaway movie screen. Also the facade was all repainted. In 1994, this was further improved with new toilet facilities being built under the auditorium.
Today, King’s Theatre is still open to the public. It is in beautiful condition and is proudly carrying on the work it started 88 years ago. |
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