Spreading the word on a quirky history

Zelde Morrison-Smith, Harry Agnew and Danielle Blud in rehearsal.

They didn't have a liquor licence but you could get a cheeky Bacardi in your teacup if you knew the right guy.

A portrait of the illustrious-sounding Sky Lounge - Whangarei's first attempt at a night club - forms part of Northland Youth Theatre's (NYT) latest offering, a tongue in cheek history of 86 Bank St.

Sky Lounge opened in the early 1960s and was populated with a twee scene of high school students sipping endless cups of tea, though a couple of Auckland and local bands played on the weekends at the building that now houses NYT, the Old Stone Butter Factory and most recently, a wedding shop.

Whangarei's former butter factory on Bank St is the focus of Northland Youth Theatre's latest production. Photo / John Stone

Thirty NYT performers ranging in age from 8 to 18 years will take the audience across all three levels and through an exploration of the history of the building and its occupants using video, photographs, audio recordings, music and theatre.

NYT manager Derek Simpson said the show would take in Whangarei's pre-settler history, the construction of the building, and sections based around interviews with its current owner, heritage experts and Whangarei stalwarts including Onerahi's Dave Ryan, who was a regular on the Sky Lounge stage.

The show coincides with the building's addition to Heritage New Zealand's historic places list and takes its name from a report by historian Bill Edwards titled Butter to Burlesque - an in-depth look at the 1905 stone structure which in its early days served as a furniture manufacturer, drapers and tea room.

Despite the name, the actual butter factory was only in business for two years and the venue is known now for its quirky nightlife and live entertainment - including burlesque.

"We won't be doing any burlesque because the kids are too young.

"But we will be finishing downstairs in the Butter Factory [bar] with a very large magic trick," Mr Simpson said.

Trawling newspaper archives, interviewing Whangarei stalwarts and consulting heritage experts have formed part of the show's preparation.

Butter to Burlesque shows at 86 Bank St on October 11, 12, 13 and 18, 19 20.

Tickets $10 by calling 438 4453 or visiting the Old Stone Butter Factory.