St. James’ Theatre
Sir, —The broadcast talk on “Memories of old St. James’ Theatre,” good as it was, disappointed. It dealt only with the Vaudeville side, and made no reference to a variety show known as “Dix’s.” which ran, somewhat naughtily, for many years before the advent of Fuller’s in 1914-15. I should like to have heard the date of the building. My own recollections go back to marching with fellow pupils to see an industrial exhibition in what we knew as the Opera House, about 1895. Most of the big primary schools in Christchurch put on annual school concerts to packed audiences in this theatre. So it seems that for at least 20 years before the take-over by Fuller’s, St. James’ was the centre of a great deal of the public life of the city. I recall many large political meetings, and crowded “No License” rallies addressed by T. E. Taylor, the Rev. L. M. Isitt, and H. G. Ell; also a large waxworks exhibition.—Yours, etc., OPERA HOUSE. August 24, 1960.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19600825.2.8.2
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29292, 25 August 1960, Page 3
Word Count
172St. James’ Theatre Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29292, 25 August 1960, Page 3
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