Sited at the intersection of Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington’s Courtenay Place and Cambridge Terrace, the Hannah Playhouse holds a unique place in Aotearoa New Zealand’s architectural and cultural heritage. Its striking Brutalist design, including two boldly articulated façades and asymmetrical wedge-shaped roof volume, has earned the building numerous regional and national architecture awards since its opening in 1973.
The 250-seat playhouse was home to the Downstage Theatre company for four decades, until the organisation closed in 2013 due to insufficient funding. Leading theatre set and costume designer Raymond Boyce was on the board of Downstage when the playhouse was built and acted as design consultant to the architects James Beard and Ron Parker, influencing the design of the flexible stage area and auditorium. Over the years, the theatre has also served as a creative hub for Capital E (the National Theatre for Children) and as a venue for Māori theatre company Taki Rua.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Central Region Director, Dr Jamie Jacobs, acknowledged the significance of recognising a 50-year-old building as heritage.
“Hannah Playhouse’s recognition as a modern building of such historical significance ushers in a new age of heritage appreciation. It invites us to celebrate the stories and memories woven into the very fabric of our contemporary architectural treasures.”
“The New Zealand Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero is a comprehensive recognition of the nation’s rich and diverse place-based heritage,” says Jacobs. “It stands as a valuable resource, benefiting researchers, historians, students and property owners. The thorough research process accompanying the listing generates a publicly available report, which enriches our understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand’s heritage and informs planning and development decisions.”
