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Story: Theatres, cinemas and halls

Ōwaka Memorial Hall

Soldiers pose on the stage of Ōwaka Memorial Hall, Otago, in the early 1910s. In rural areas halls like this were often community hubs – places to stage live performances, meetings, dances and other events. The Ōwaka hall's ornate stage and drop scene suggest that dramatic performances were regularly held here.

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Owaka Museum

Reference: CT78.1005j

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How to cite this page

Ben Schrader, Theatres, cinemas and halls – Early 20th century, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/42378/owaka-memorial-hall (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ben Schrader, published 21 August 2013.