Historic theatre comes complete with ghosts

Mercury Theatre on Mercury lane. Photo / Supplied

The historic Mercury Theatre, built in Auckland's K Rd area in 1910 by John Fuller and Sons, and originally known as Kings Theatre, is for sale.

Situated in Mercury Lane, a small street to the south of K Rd, the property is being sold vacant by tender through Barfoot and Thompson Commercial's senior brokers Michael Greer and Rohan Cooke on behalf of its present owner the Equippers Church. Tenders close at 4pm on December 9.

Greer says the property was arguably the most successful live theatre venue in New Zealand and served as the proving ground for many actors, some of whom claimed to have seen at least three ghosts in the building.

The reported apparitions in the Mercury, believed to be the oldest surviving theatre in Auckland, were that of an old caretaker who was beaten to death in the building, a young boy who died there, and a woman who materialised in the dress circle seating area.

"The Mercury's presence and architecture, along with its retained original ornate features, make for a property that has a deserved place in Auckland's history," Greer says.

The Fullers were a well-known vaudeville family who arrived in New Zealand in 1895 and toured the main centres.

John Fuller recognised the potential of silent movies and the need for a purpose-built theatre. He obtained land and architect Edward Bartley was given a brief to erect the Kings Theatre, which became a popular cinema after its completion.

By the mid-1920s K Rd had become a main thoroughfare and shopping centre. Large department stores occupied Upper Pitt St including John Courts and Hallenstein Bros. Other stores further along K Rd included Rendell's, Lewis Eady, Maple Furnishings and Hugh Wrights menswear.

In the late 1940s, a young entrepreneur, Robert Kerridge, bought the then ailing theatre, which he renovated and upgraded for live theatre, opening it as the Playhouse.

The Auckland Theatre Trust Board was formed in 1966 with the purpose of providing Auckland with a permanent professional company in its own theatre and purchased the Playhouse from Kerridge for $110,000 in 1967.

After the theatre was closed in 1988, it was in danger of being demolished but it was eventually bought by the Equippers Church in 1994 when it was also registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a category 2 historic place.

"The Mercury Theatre has been assessed and expressed as a statement of significance through its intrinsic value and contribution," Greer says.

"It now represents a rare example of an Edwardian baroque theatre similar to His Majesty's Theatre which was recklessly demolished in Queen St in a purge of fine buildings during the 1980s."

Greer says the footprint of the building follows the shape of the site, rectangular except for the angular shape of the western end, which contains the volume of the stage and fly tower that rises in a separate form above the height of the rest of the building.

The site area is 1017sq m and the building has a gross floor area of 2080sq m.

"There are two separate venues," Greer says. "The larger theatre has seating for 550, with the smaller venue able to seat 150. Both venues can be integrated and with contemporary seating have a capacity for 700 people.

"The auditorium with its raked seating, aisles and upper circle dominates the floor plan. "In the circle, there is direct access to the Dome room on the north side. This room is spectacular with the elliptical stained-glass dome and windows built by the Herbert brothers, pioneers of the leadlight industry in Auckland."

Public entrance to the theatre is from Mercury Lane, up a set of stairs and through two sets of glazed double doors. Immediately inside is a small foyer, the original vestibule with a shop to the north and visitor room to the south. A set of stairs to either side leads to the upstairs dress circle area and ancillary rooms.

"The original plans and sections of the theatre are currently available to view on computer at the Auckland City property division," Greer says.

Concrete was used extensively throughout the building, including the piles underneath the timber auditorium floor which can be seen from the alleyway and the steps to the front of the building and staircases up to the circle.

Timber structural members were specified, including, notably, 12-inch by 6-inch kauri joists which support the dress circle floor.

Mercury Lane is a one-way street that provides vehicular access to major roads traversing the city and has a high level of traffic passing through.

The theatre faces the old George Court building, on the corner of K Rd and Mercury Lane, which has been converted into apartments, offices and shops. It is clearly visible from the northbound lanes and central city exits of the motorway. Greer says the purchase is likely to be determined by the attitude of prospective buyers towards retaining and promoting the venue.

He believes the theatre could appeal to individuals or established Auckland families who have achieved success in the city and "who may want to leave a legacy for future generations".