Auckland's St James Theatre to reopen in weeks

The St James Theatre in its heyday. NZ Herald file photo.

Aucklanders are about to get their first glimpse inside the city's historic and much-loved St James Theatre.

The Queen St building, shut for years, will re-open in the next few weeks.

Initially opened in 1928, the St James was one of Auckland's most popular cultural venues and has seen the likes of Lawrence Olivier and Vivien Leigh perform - it also played host to the 1981 Royal Variety Performance for Queen Elizabeth II.

Steve Bielby, principal of Auckland Notable Properties, said a cafe would operate in the theatre's foyer from Monday April 27 and then a public event was planned in the theatre on Saturday May 2.

That event would be a production of A Weird Night Out, he said.

"We can't wait to welcome people through the doors on April 27, and even before that we're having a very special event for stakeholders who have given so much support," he said.

"We'll have mayor Len Brown and Dame Trelise Cooper helping us celebrate the restoration of the theatre's foyer at an elegant, glamorous event at on April 10."

The cafe is to be owned and operated by Chris Barron who also runs Society and Nook and will operate from 8am until 4pm with a fast, casual bistro/tapas-style menu.

The cafe will be licensed, so Barron is hoping it will also be open for after-work drinks two nights a week in the near future, Bielby said.

A 39-level 300-unit apartment block is planned to be built alongside the theatre and units there are for sale.

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at St James Theatre in Auckland during the 1963 Royal Tour. New Zealand Herald Staff Photograph.