Performance Information St James Theatre

The St James Theatre

Built in 1912 primarily for vaudeville, The St James Theatre is a traditional proscenium arch 3 level theatre. The auditorium is highly ornamental, featuring elaborate cherubs, plaster curlicues and painted and gilded lyres, horns, harps, dancing cupids and masks representing Comedy, Drama and Opera.

The St James Theatre offers the best stage for dance in the country while the refurbished auditorium and back of house facility is of international standard. The manual counterweight flying system has 99 lines.

The theatre has been recognised by New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category I building of outstanding cultural and historical significance and is considered one of the finest lyric theatres in Australasia. It was extensively refurbished in the 1990s.

Front of house, an impressive entrance foyer leading to generous hospitality spaces on the first floor enhances the theatre experience for the public, sponsors and patrons. A street level café/bar (The Jimmy Bar and Café), open all day and into the evening, adds to the vibrancy of Wellington's Courtenay Place theatre precinct.