Nelson City Council

Nelson’s historic Theatre Royal is one of the oldest wooden theatres in New Zealand. Listed by the Historic Places Trust, the building is nearly 130 years old. It remains very largely in its original condition.

Before the theatre closed in 2005, some 22,000 visitors a year enjoyed the theatrical and dance performances staged there. National and international musicians and touring groups as well as local theatre, school events and community groups used the venue on a regular basis. The theatre also hosted the Nelson Arts Festival, ballet and musical theatre, plays and repertory performances.

The Theatre Royal was commissioned by The Loyal Howard and Loyal Nelson Oddfellow Lodges and opened on 18 July 1878. It is constructed out of native timber with a corrugated iron roof. The theatre is a surviving remnant of 19th century architecture, performing its original function. Most buildings of this era, particularly in Nelson, no longer exist.

Grant bestowed

November 2007

The $2.9m government grant bestowed on the Theatre Royal by Prime Minister Helen Clarke has been welcomed by the Nelson City Council. Council also had $809,000 in its 2008/09 budget for the refurbishment project.