Circa Theatre Historical Tours

A Wellington Heritage Week 2023 event! Discover and celebrate the 47-year history of Wellington’s iconic Circa Theatre through a free, one-hour guided tour of Wellington’s foyer and backstage area at 1 Taranaki St.

A Circa Councillor will take you on a unique guided tour of this historic building, including rarely seen backstage areas. Learn about the fascinating building move from 7 Harris Street to 1 Taranaki Street – including how the facade of 120-year-old Westport Chambers was trucked across the road and the new theatre built in behind it.

The one-hour tours will run at 1pm daily from Mon 23 – Fri 27 October and there will be two tours on Sat 28 October at 11am and 1pm.

Max 20 people per tour and bookings are essential.

There will be opportunities to join as a ‘Friend of Circa’ on the day at a special reduced rate.

Location: Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 (next to Te Papa)

Dates: Mon 23 – Sat 28 October 2023

Times: 1pm daily from Mon 23 – Fri 27 October & two tours on Sat 28 October at 11am and 1pm

Duration: One-hour per tour

Cost: Free (Max: 20 people per tour)

Bookings: Required – please book here or call the Circa Box Office on 04 801 7992

About Circa Theatre

As a leader of arts and culture in Wellington for over 45 years, Circa Theatre strives to bring quality playwriting, performance and creativity and the very best of New Zealand and the world to our glorious waterfront. Circa Theatre started life in 1976 after a breakaway group of actors and theatre practitioners decided a new way of producing theatre was required for New Zealand. Enlisting the assistance of others who worked outside of theatre, a new ‘less is more’ model was created and a pared-back theatre space was built in the Ilott Advertising building on the corner of Harris Street and Jervois Quay. In November 1994 Circa moved to its new premises at 1 Taranaki Street, next door to Te Papa.