Talk:Downstage Theatre

Split article?
This article has a split-brain - it talks about the Hannah Playhouse (the building), and Downstage Theatre (the company). I've had a go at rewriting it to clarify, but we should probably either split it into two articles, or if we keep it together then the canonical title of "Downstage Theatre" should be changed to "Hannah Playhouse" (and redirect Downstage Theatre to it), since DTC doesn't exist any more, and it was never the name of the building (assuming this article is ostensibly about the venue, rather than the theatre company). Thoughts? Jon (talk) 06:01, 18 October 2018 (UTC)


 * Hannah Playhouse currently redirects to Downstage Theatre. As I remember it Sheila Winn gifted the total estimated cost of the building which will no doubt have suffered over-runs requiring more donations. There were long delays. (Anyone with access to the Evening Post archives?) I think I can say that without the building Downstage would not have been the great success that it (once) was. If there were sufficient to justify a separate article to replace the current redirect that would be the best solution. Otherwise the record has to be a weighty looking paragraph about The Hannah Playhouse at the foot of the Downstage article. Failing to record the great generosity of Sheila Winn — inflation makes it look pathetic — does a major disservice to the community and the building is still there and Surely notable. Or am I wrong? Eddaido (talk) 07:33, 18 October 2018 (UTC)


 * Are you wrong? I've no idea! :-) If we carry on and use one article for both, which do you think is more notable, the theatre company or the building? I honestly don't know; the info-box on the side is for buildings, which suggests the article was originally mainly about the building (it was often called "Downstage"). I've tried to clarify the article a bit and add references; by all means feel free to add more about the funding of the building. Jon (talk) 13:41, 10 November 2018 (UTC)


 * I've established the building was innovative (at least for a theatre) when built and seems to remain architecturally notable. I have been given a reference and will shortly move the building bits out of this article back to Hannah Playhouse and expand it, well, soon! Eddaido (talk) 21:29, 14 December 2018 (UTC)


 * Yes agree - two articles would be better. The Hannah Playhouse about the building - which is architecturally significant and is still being used a place for performances. And the theatre company Downstage Theatre (that was housed in the Hannah Playhouse). It is currently confusing and doesn't allow a proper emphasis to be put on either. Pakoire (talk) 08:32, 1 March 2020 (UTC)


 * OOh! I sense a bit of a wake-up call. I collected up an architectural review, and now I see I seem to have quite a lot in a file I'd better review but the real reason for failing to make progress was lack of photos because I think it was / is technically quite sophisticated. I'll see what I can cobble together, maybe someone else will improve it. Thanks for being interested. Eddaido (talk) 09:00, 1 March 2020 (UTC)


 * The book Downstage Upfront by John Smythe has photo's from Alexander Turnbill Library and info about the build. Also I live in Wellington and could go take some? Pakoire (talk) 09:31, 11 March 2020 (UTC)


 * Thank you, that would be really good. I've lived 25 years in Auckland and its several years since I've been in Wellington and a free agent. I am setting about borrowing that book, now. Many thanks for that. Eddaido (talk) 09:40, 11 March 2020 (UTC)

Downstage Theatre and The Hannah Playhouse - splitting the article
Kia ora koutou and

There has been renewed informal discussion about splitting this article into two. One about the building of the Hannah Playhouse and one about the theatre company Downstage Theatre. Both are notable in their own rights. There seems to be agreement the current article with both together can cause confusion and there is interest from a few editors to improve both areas of information.

Since the existing title is Downstage Theatre I propose creating a new article Hannah Playhouse. The info box and other information can be moved to this article.

This is a bigger question for many theatre companies and theatre venues around New Zealand, many also have the same name for example the Mercury Theatre in Auckland. Ideally there would be two articles for each. An architectural focus for the building and a theatre cultural history for the activity of the theatre company.

I will action this over the upcoming days - waiting for any response first, including if my proposal is a good one from a technical Wikipedia point of view (as a newsih editor there is always more to know about with this sort of stuff!). Pakoire (talk) 02:17, 7 May 2020 (UTC)

PS I started a new section on the talk page but maybe should have just continued with the previous section - anyway for more information also please read the other section about the split brain of this article.


 * I read this new message and tried to borrow the recommended book from the library. Turned out it was on my desk. I'm at page 76 and the building narrative begins shortly. Later, Eddaido (talk) 09:21, 7 May 2020 (UTC)


 * I have split the article so further editing on the Hannah Playhouse can occur there - it is currently a stub. I look forward to your contributions . I love the architecture of that building and appreciate it as being an important part of NZ's architectural history. I will attempt to get some legal images for use Pakoire (talk) 23:03, 7 May 2020 (UTC)