BATS Theatre

Did the initials “BATS” in BATS Theatre ever make you curious? BATS Theatre, nestled on Kent Terrace, isn’t named after the nocturnal creatures. It’s an acronym for Bane Austin Touring Society. Founded in 1976 by Rodney Bane and David Austin, BATS initially aimed to tour one-act plays around the Wellington region. They took over the building at 1 Kent Terrace in the late 1970s. By 1979, the building itself was known as BATS Theatre. The original structure, built in 1923, had a fascinating history even before BATS. It was designed by the renowned architectural firm, Clere & Clere, for the Manchester Unity Oddfellows Society. The Oddfellows held meetings upstairs, while the ground floor housed shops and a performance space initially used as a dance hall and theatre. Imagine the echoes of those early concerts and dances still swirling within these walls. BATS Theatre continued this legacy, fostering the development of emerging artists in a raw and experimental space. The theatre gained recognition for showcasing new New Zealand performances, often presenting multiple, diverse shows in a single evening. For many years, the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) occupied the upper floors, their lodge meetings a quiet counterpoint to the vibrant theatrical energy below. In 2011, the RAOB sold the building. Film director Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh stepped in, purchasing the building to ensure BATS Theatre’s survival. A major renovation followed, strengthening the building against earthquakes and expanding the theatre’s capabilities. The addition of two new performance spaces, the Propeller Stage and the Dome Stage, transformed BATS into a multi-level creative hub. BATS Theatre returned in 2014, revitalized and ready to continue its legacy. This theatre stands as a testament to the power of community, artistic vision, and a little bit of movie magic.