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More info He pārongo atu anō
Visit website
The Civic auditorium is one of only seven of the world’s surviving examples of the period’s opulent ‘atmospheric theatre’ style, with a unique soft-top ceiling that sends “clouds” floating amongst a star-spangled sky. Cleverly painted to resemble a dome, the design mirrors the Southern Hemisphere at 10:00pm on an April evening.
At The Civic, the show begins before you’re seated. Step inside the lobby to find a rock-cut Buddhist temple and a mural of a Hindu wedding. Head to the theatre bar for a pre-show beverage, or for something more substantial, visit Stark’s Café and Bar. When you’re ready to take your seat, wander into the auditorium where you’ll be transported into a Moorish garden at night, complete with turrets, minarets, spires, tiled roofs, and Abyssinian panthers.
Following extensive restoration work completed in 2000, The Civic auditorium houses a modernised stage, world-class backstage facilities, and a state-of-the-art digital projection system, as well as one of New Zealand's largest cinema screens, all enabling a fantastic performance for up to 2,739 seated viewers.
The Wintergarden is used for a wide range of events including intimate music gigs, talks, and opening nights, accommodating a seated audience of up to 500 people, or up to 700 standing.
Getting there Te huarahi ki reira
By car, head to The Civic car park near Queen Street where you’ll find plenty of affordable paid parking. By train, head to Britomart Station and walk up Queen Street for around 10 minutes to reach The Civic. Alternatively, take a bus to the Queen Street or Wellesley Street bus stops, which are both within a short walking distance.
Local tip He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Head to Stark’s Café and Bar for a special show-themed cocktail. It opens 90 minutes before any shows and events.