Celebrating The Civic In September
The Civic Open Days September 16 & 17, Auckland Heritage Festival 2006
AUCKLAND – Elephants, panthers and shooting stars will be the order of the day when Auckland’s much-loved theatre, The
Civic, throws open its doors for two days in September as part of the 2006 Auckland Heritage Festival.
The Civic will be open from 10am to 1pm on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17.
Activities will include tours, guest speakers, multiple screenings of Saga of The Civic Asset (a film by Jim Manly
detailing The Civic’s construction), children’s arts and crafts activities including a ‘heritage hunt’ and free
performances by Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra ensembles in the Winter Garden.
The Civic first opened in 1929 as a picture theatre for the people of Auckland and was lovingly restored to its former
glory in 2000 after a $42 million makeover. It is one of only seven surviving atmospheric theatres in the world, so
called because the auditorium is designed to evoke the outdoors at night.
The design style of The Civic is of a Moorish garden, with turrets, minarets, spires and tiled roofs and the famous
Abyssinian panthers that stand guard at the side of the stage.
The interior of The Civic is famous for its domed ceiling of stars which depicts the Southern Hemisphere sky at 10pm on
an April Auckland evening.
“The Civic is truly a treasure and is a much-loved part of New Zealand’s heritage,” said THE EDGE® Chief Executive, Greg
Innes. “Thousands of theatregoers now enjoy high quality entertainment at The Civic each year but it is always a
pleasure to make The Civic itself the centre of attention, and to shine the spotlight on this incredible gem of a
theatre.”
A part of THE EDGE®, New Zealand’s premier performing arts and conventions facility, The Civic hosts a wide range of
popular entertainment including the recent seasons of Swan Lake On Ice and the 38th Telecom International Auckland Film
Festival and the forthcoming hit, Menopause the Musical. In October the theatre’s beauty will enhance a visually
stunning new production of The Sleeping Beauty by The Australian Ballet.
Auckland Heritage Festival is organised by Auckland City and celebrates Auckland’s unique natural, social and built
heritage. This year’s festival runs September 16-24 and features more than 100 events and activities. The full programme
will be available online at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/heritage from August 25.
Media Contact: For more information or high res photos of The Civic contact: Jennifer Scott, Publicist, THE EDGE®, Ph 09
307 5479, Mob 021 649 904, jennifers@the-edge.co.nz.
Media Release online at: http://www.the-edge.co.nz/corporate/corporate_pdfs/0801_The_Civic_Open_Days_MR.doc
The Civic Open Days - Schedule of Events
Saturday September 16
10am Heritage Tour (departs from The Civic lobby)
Daily activities and exhibitions open (Safari Room & Theatre Bar)
Children’s arts & crafts bookings – Jacqui Godfrey Ph 09 307 5075 extn 8031
Winter Garden morning teas open – Enquiries THE EDGE® Info Desk Ph 09 307 5060
10.15am Screening: The Saga of the Civic Asset (Taj Mahal Room)
10.30am Friends of The Civic panel discussion: Dancing, Divas and Danger (Winter Garden)
11am Heritage Tour (departs from The Civic lobby)
11.15am Screening: The Saga of the Civic Asset (Taj Mahal Room)
12 noon Heritage Tour (departs from The Civic lobby)
NZ Chamber Brass: Concert by ensemble members of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (Winter Garden)
12.15pm Screening: The Saga of the Civic Asset (Taj Mahal Room)
1pm Open Day concludes
Sunday September 17
10am Heritage Tour (departs from The Civic lobby)
Daily activities and exhibitions open (Safari Room & Theatre Bar)
Children’s arts & crafts bookings – Jacqui Godfrey Ph 09 307 5075 extn 8031
Winter Garden morning teas open – Enquiries THE EDGE® Info Desk Ph 09 307 5060
10.15am Screening: The Saga of the Civic Asset (Taj Mahal Room)
10.30am Friends of The Civic panel discussion: Civic Secrets Through Time (Winter Garden)
11am Heritage Tour (departs from The Civic lobby)
11.15am Screening: The Saga of the Civic Asset (Taj Mahal Room)
12 noon Heritage Tour (departs from The Civic lobby)
Greg & Friends: Concert by ensemble members of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (Winter Garden)
12.15pm Screening: The Saga of the Civic Asset (Taj Mahal Room)
1pm Open Day concludes