Difference between revisions of "Founders Theatre"
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[[image:Founders.JPG|thumb|right|Founders Theatre, August 2006]] | [[image:Founders.JPG|thumb|right|Founders Theatre, August 2006]] | ||
| − | ''Founders Theatre'' (a.k.a. ''Founders Memorial Theatre'') is located at 221 Tristram Street, and | + | ''Founders Theatre'' (a.k.a. ''Founders Memorial Theatre'') is located on the corner of Tristram Street and Norton Road (at 221 Tristram Street), and for many years served as the largest indoor venue in Hamilton. The theatre is furnished with seating on a high gradient floor, with a capacity of 1,249, and is generally more suited to concerts by ''The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra'' and ''The Royal New Zealand Ballet'' than to most bands. However, a number of notable international bands have played there in the past, including ''Cilla Black'', (1965), ''Manfred Mann'', ''The Kinks'', ''Vera Lynn'' (1966) and ''The Cure'' (July 1980). ''Founders Theatre'' played host to the [[Waikato Rock Awards]] in 1993 and 1994. |
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| + | In the 1990s, Neil Finn, who has played there with Crowded House, was known to bemoan that ''Founders'' was the only venue of its size in Hamilton, lamenting that it was inadequate for the purpose of providing an appropriate viewing experience for attending touring bands. This purpose was eventually taken by [[Claudelands Arena]] in 2011. | ||
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| + | The building was designed by local firm ''White, De Lisle and Jenkins'', and was opened on 17 November 1962. | ||
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[[category:venues]] | [[category:venues]] | ||
Revision as of 13:19, 26 March 2015
Founders Theatre (a.k.a. Founders Memorial Theatre) is located on the corner of Tristram Street and Norton Road (at 221 Tristram Street), and for many years served as the largest indoor venue in Hamilton. The theatre is furnished with seating on a high gradient floor, with a capacity of 1,249, and is generally more suited to concerts by The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and The Royal New Zealand Ballet than to most bands. However, a number of notable international bands have played there in the past, including Cilla Black, (1965), Manfred Mann, The Kinks, Vera Lynn (1966) and The Cure (July 1980). Founders Theatre played host to the Waikato Rock Awards in 1993 and 1994.
In the 1990s, Neil Finn, who has played there with Crowded House, was known to bemoan that Founders was the only venue of its size in Hamilton, lamenting that it was inadequate for the purpose of providing an appropriate viewing experience for attending touring bands. This purpose was eventually taken by Claudelands Arena in 2011.
The building was designed by local firm White, De Lisle and Jenkins, and was opened on 17 November 1962.
