The Opera House

The first opera house in Wellington, The Imperial Opera House, opened in 1878. It burnt down two years later as did its 1886 replacement. Both were timber structures.

Construction work on the present opera house began in 1911 and it was made from masonry and brick. The Grand Opera House opened in 1914 at an estimated cost of £37,000. Its first performance was an evening of entertainment by the American Burlesque Company.

The stage, when built, was one of the largest in Australasia, and The Opera House interior was notable for its fine decorative scheme.

Interior design

Touring company J.C. Williamson Ltd leased The Opera House and is likely that the internal design was made in collaboration with the touring company. Plasterwork in the ceiling of the foyer is decorated with bands of Australian eucalypts, surrounded by a border of New Zealand wildflowers, which enclose a cluster of English roses. The symbolic flowers of the three countries where the company operated.

They are an outstanding feature of the interior and the primary reason for the building’s Category I classification by the Historic Places Trust. The original seating upholstery was made and installed by the Wellington company Kirkcaldie & Stains.

Restoration

Several restoration efforts have followed since its construction including a major refit in 1977 funded by State Insurance a New Zealand insurance company. For many years it was known as the State Opera House. In 2012 it was deemed an earthquake risk and by 2016, funding from Wellington City Council and the Performing Arts Foundation of Wellington enabled the building to be strengthened.

The theatre continues to host a range of live performances, by both touring international and local companies.

Famous artists to have performed in the Opera House include Marcel Marceau, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Yehudi Menuhin, and Anna Pavlova. In 2005 it was used for the theatre scenes in Peter Jackson’s 2005 film ‘King Kong’.

The Opera House is a remarkable performance space that oozes antique charm and drama. This magnificent 100-year-old venue can host a variety of events, from ballet and classical performances to gigs and theatre. It’s also Wellington’s home of comedy, and is only a short walk from Courtenay Place and Cuba Street.

With a lavish interior, The Opera House in Wellington is an unforgettable venue for any event. The auditorium has spectacular original features including a proscenium arch, domed ceiling, and raked stage. The stage is a unique choice for formal dinners and programme launches. The Dress Circle Foyer is ideal for intimate entertaining. A marble staircase ascends to the stunning first-floor space. Its hand-painted La Scala-inspired ceilings open to a balcony overlooking Dixon Street and Te Aro Park.

Please note, as a historic theatre, the Gallery and Dress Circle are stair access only. Wheelchair access is only available for the Stalls section.

The Opera House fact sheet [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Enquire now

If you’d like to know more about venue options or organise a visit, contact the Venues Wellington Sales Team.

Rooms and spaces

Auditorium

The three-tier auditorium and stage evoke a spectacular sense of occasion. The domed ceiling’s excellent acoustics enhance any show in this much-loved venue, whether comedy, opera or classical performance.

The stunning architecture, lit with soft ambient lighting, creates an atmosphere of intrigue and delight.

Put the spotlight on keynote speakers for conferences or product launches — seating 1,381, The Opera House offers direct sightlines for everyone in the audience.

Or, create a dramatic setting for your awards presentation or gala dinner by hosting directly on the spacious stage of The Opera House. At 400m² the stage comfortably accommodates 130 diners with room for additional staging, a dance floor, and live musical entertainment.

Dress Circle Foyer

Located on the Opera House’s first floor, the Dress Circle Foyer offers additional open space for events in the auditorium, and can also play host to smaller events. Climb The Opera House’s original marble staircase to discover the Dress Circle Foyer’s classically inspired sculpted plaster ceilings, which add instant charm to any performance.

An open-air balcony overlooking the bustling Dixon Street and Te Aro Park makes for charming summertime entertaining.

Adjoining the Dress Circle Foyer is the Balcony Suite, a private setting suitable for board meetings or hosting before and after shows.

Layout and capacity

Earthquake Prone Building notice

The Opera House is currently rated as an Earthquake Prone Building (EQPB) by Wellington City Council and has been given a ‘yellow notice’. This means that the building is safe to occupy and the owners (Wellington City Council) have a set number of years to strengthen the building. More information is available on the Wellington City Council website:

Earthquake-prone buildings