Venue Profile

Designed in 1929 by Charles Hollingshed of Melbourne, “the Picture Palace” of Palmerston North – the Regent Theatre – officially opened its doors to the general public on 4 July, 1930. A newspaper report at the time described the theatre as having “been built, decorated and furnished regardless of cost” and called it “The Wonder Theatre” and “The Theatre Beautiful” and goes on, “Creating an entirely new standard of Entertainment, the Luxurious Regent will become the Mecca of all Devotees of the Magic Talking Screen because of its Compelling Worth and Regal Magnificence.”

It lived up to this claim for many years. But after the decline of movie going a sadly dilapidated and poorly utilised Regent closed its doors in 1991. Following an unprecedented public reaction to the threat of losing not only the Regent but the Opera House as well, which would leave the city without a major performing venue, the Palmerston North City Council agreed to purchase the Regent in October 1993. Then in accordance with the huge response to submissions, the council agreed to restore the Regent to its former grandeur and modernise it technically to ensure its place as New Zealand’s leading provincial theatre with features that rival many of its counterparts in the major cities.

Restoration work commenced in September,1996 and has since been completed to the highest standard, providing the city with a facility not only of which it could be immensely proud and which attracts top class national and international performers and shows as well as catering superbly to the community’s requirements.

Source: http://www.regent.co.nz/about_history.php (2007)

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