Setting the scene: a history of Auckland on stage

Auckland City Libraries presents a free exhibition that celebrates the evocative history and intriguing stories of Auckland On-Stage at the Central City Library starting 24 June. This exhibition can be experienced through the richness of the Special Collection’s extensive performing arts archive in the form of photographs, scripts, design and working papers.

The treasured and diverse performing arts archive covers genres from comedy, vaudeville, opera, drama and much more that highlight famous faces and names and fascinating facts. The exhibition includes early Auckland play bills printed on fragile silk and programmes such as Colin McCahon’s design for Sargeson’s play ‘Cradle and the Egg’. There are also photographs of productions from the Mercury theatre, Auckland’s longest running professional theatre, Limbs Dance Company, Perkel Opera, Theatre Corporate, Watershed and many more.

Intriguing documents from the Phil Warren collection include a list of drinks requested back stage by the Rolling Stones during their 1973 Western Springs performance. Another highlight is the script for the first episode of New Zealand’s own popular soap Shortland Street, with its famous ‘Guatemala’ line.

Exhibition hours
Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: noon to 4pm

For more information, check out our website www.aucklandcitylibraries.com.

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