Circa Theatre

Circa Theatre opened in April 1976 with a production of David Hare’s Knuckle, having taken residence in the former Ilott Advertising building at 7 Harris Street. Circa’s pared-back, ‘less-is-more’ approach to theatre represented a deliberate break from what founding member, Susan Wilson, described as the “old British dinosaurs” of the professional theatre landscape. In contrast to the “large administrations” and “extravagant sets and costumes” of other theatre companies, Circa (describing themselves as a ‘co-operative’ rather than a company) focused on the “sheer excellence of the performance” bolstered by the “economy and ingenuity” of the artists. 

The Harris Street building had been flagged for demolition, but the City Council agreed to delay the demolition for use as a theatre. The Circa Council, working with little money, purchased wooden chairs from the Wellington Hospital, and sawed up foam rubber with a bread knife for cushioning. The building was renovated to include a 100-seat auditorium on the ground level, dressing rooms on the first level, and a rehearsal space on the third. 

In 1994, Circa moved next door to Te Papa at 1 Taranaki Street. The new building was purpose-designed by Grahame Anderson of Ampersand Architects and notably featured the 120-year-old façade of the Westport Chambers. The Harris Street building was demolished in 1995 and the site became the Jack Ilott Green.   

Circa Theatre has maintained a reputation for innovative and boundary-pushing productions since it first opened its doors; one early production of Tom Stoppard’s Claw even included a motorbike being driven from the foyer to the stage. In 2012, Circa celebrated its “Millionth Bum” in recognition of having one million patrons grace their seats, and in 2016 they celebrated their 40th anniversary with the book, Circa 1996-2016: a Celebration of Forty Years. Circa Theatre has been celebrated by artists such as Sam Neill, Ginette McDonald, Ray Henwood and Gavin Rutherford.