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The End of an Era

The end of an era in the entertainment world has come to pass with the demolition of the Opera House. For more than 50 years it has been a focal point for thousands of people as they have come to be entertained by variety shows, soloists, drama groups, overseas artists of renown and local entertainers, There were very few shows that came to Gisborne which were not of good quality.

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From the stage, artists looked out to the auditorium where people filled the rows of seats and watched their acts.

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The stage entrance which led to the dressing rooms.

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The Opera House as it will be remembered

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The elaborate embellishments on the dress circle balcony.

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How many patrons gazed up at the magnificent centre dome while waiting for a show to begin?

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Not many people knew the secret of the one-armed ghost that haunted the Opera House.

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Ornate but tastefully coloured decorations were part of the foyer ceiling.

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The soaring sides of the stage front as seen from the orchestra pit.

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No more will the lights go up on any production.

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The empty stage will be trod no more.

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Part of the area under the stage which was used for storage purposes.

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The cat-walk, high above the stage around the walls, was still a long way below the roof.

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The classical lines of the foyer and the stairs to the circle were still in evidence after demolition had begun.

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