Elmwood Auditorium - Canterbury Repertory Theatre

Christchurch's longest serving theatre troupe, Canterbury Repertory Theatre, is now "a little bit homeless", thanks to the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes - but they have found temporary digs at the Elmwood Auditorium, normally home to the Elmwood players.

The long and interesting history of the Repertory begins in 1928; and, not long after that, falling on their feet in the new "Radiant Hall', built in Spanish Mission Style on Kilmore Street by philanthropic manufacturer Thomas Edmonds. Edmonds had intended the hall to be used for the purposes of the "Radiant School of Living," of which he was a follower, but the theatre became the tenant and in 1950 became the owner. The loss of the building in the earthquakes was devastating for the theatre group, the wider community, and anyone who appreciated the rarity of the Spanish Mission-style architecture in the New Zealand setting. It had also just completed an expensive and lengthy restoration.

In true Canterbury fashion, the volunteers still show up and the show goes on. A determination to again own a premises of style and substance is discussed in this article in The Press.