Site of Wellington’s First Theatrical Performance Plaque

Were the first whispers of Wellington’s theatrical legacy uttered here, on this very spot? Here at the Site of Wellington’s First Theatrical Performance Plaque, we’re not just standing on a street corner, we’re standing on the stage of history. Long before the grand St. James Theatre graced Courtenay Place, before the bright lights and velvet curtains, there was this. This humble plaque commemorating a moment that sparked a cultural firestorm. It marks the location of a simple hall that predated the St. James. A hall that hosted Wellington’s very first theatrical performance. This wasn’t a grand opera or a Shakespearean drama. The first recorded performance at this precursor to the St. James was actually quite unique. It was a pantomime, a Cleopatra act, directed by the impresario John Fuller himself. Interestingly, this performance marked the first and last time snakes were imported into New Zealand for a stage production. Imagine the scene: the hall bustling with anticipation, the air thick with excitement. The hiss of the imported snakes, part of Fuller’s Cleopatra act, adding an exotic thrill to the performance. This hall, owned and operated by Fuller, would later be deemed a fire hazard and demolished. From its ashes rose the magnificent St. James Theatre, a testament to Fuller’s vision and ambition. So, as we stand here before the Site of Wellington’s First Theatrical Performance Plaque, let’s remember those early days of Wellington theatre. A time of pantomime, snakes, and a passionate entrepreneur who dared to dream of a vibrant theatrical scene in this burgeoning city.