Royal Whanganui Opera House

Located on St Hill Street in central Whanganui, the theatre seats 830 and is a venue for many local, national and international events.

The idea was supported by Mayor Alexander Hatrick, an investigative committee was established and the council agreed to proceed.

The six sheets show "plans at basement, ground floor and dress circle levels, a longitudinal cross-section, and external elevations.

The Wanganui Herald of the day recorded that "the building which is of wood, resting on massive concrete foundations, all the inside walls being plastered.

The dress circle and orchestral stall seats are of the latest pattern, with cast-iron frames and upholstered backs, the latter to tip up, thus giving ample room for persons to pass in front of those sitting down…" The circle itself was supported from below by 18 cast iron pillars, painted to imitate marble, and which spoiled the view of patrons.

Thomson notes that "the auditorium was comparatively narrow, and the circle ended at the proscenium on each side, "strengthening the intimacy of relationship between actors and audience".