Civic Theatre

The Civic Theatre, in Auckland

The Civic Theatre is an imposing heritage theatre of Queen Street, famous for its so-called atmospheric cinema with a starry ceiling. The Auckland audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this great complex of the 1920s, inspired by Indian architecture, that gives the spectator the illusion of being in the open air, under a sky sparkling with stars.

The atmospheric cinema with a starry sky

Turn around and admire the façade of this imposing building that is in Queen Street: it is the Civic Theatre, a great complex that brings together both a performance hall and a gigantic cinema called atmospheric. This term designates the cinemas whose design is conceived to give the spectators the feeling of being outside, thanks to architectural elements and evocative decors. You thus have the impression of being in a building in the open air, under a vault where stars sparkle. This type of design was very fashionable from the 1920s, in the golden age of the cinema palaces. The one of Auckland, inaugurated in 1929, draws inspiration from Indian and Oriental architecture: you discover there exotic elements, panthers, domes, minarets and statues, in an abundant decor that transports the spectator far from New Zealand. Its great hall can host nearly two thousand four hundred people, which makes it one of the largest of the country. Over the decades, the Civic has hosted films, concerts, musicals and shows, and it remains one of the most loved halls of Auckland. Classified historic monument, it has been carefully restored to preserve its unique decor and its magic. In the evening, when the stars light up on the ceiling, the hall offers an unforgettable experience. A cinema palace and a heritage theatre, the Civic Theatre is a fine stop of the discovery of Auckland.

What to see

You admire the imposing heritage theatre of Queen Street, inaugurated in 1929, a famous atmospheric cinema whose ceiling gives the illusion of an open sky sparkling with stars; inspired by Indian and Oriental architecture, adorned with panthers, domes and minarets, it can host nearly two thousand four hundred spectators and hosts films, concerts and shows. The Civic Theatre is a jewel of Auckland. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Civic Theatre lies at the corner of Queen Street and Wellesley Street, in the heart of the centre of Auckland, reachable on foot. You admire its façade from the street; to attend a screening or a show, it is best to enquire in advance about the programme and the conditions of access, which vary. You discover it during a walk in the centre.

What is an atmospheric cinema, at the Civic Theatre of Auckland?

A cinema conceived to give the spectators the illusion of being outside, under an open sky sparkling with stars, thanks to its decor; inaugurated in 1929 in Queen Street, the Civic draws inspiration from Indian and Oriental architecture, with panthers, domes and minarets, and its great hall can host nearly two thousand four hundred people.

Where is the Civic Theatre in Auckland?

At the corner of Queen Street and Wellesley Street, in the heart of the centre of Auckland, in New Zealand.