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Uploaded on: November 7, 2026

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Photo - Courtesy of the Mercury Theatre.

First known as Kings Theatre, the Mercury Theatre was built in 1910 by John Fuller and Sons. This famous vaudeville family of father, three sons and two daughters arrived in New Zealand in 1895 and toured the main centres with a variety programme.

Their Myriorama programmes featured coloured pictures of landscapes or historical events projected onto a screen from a lantern slide machine operated by John Jnr, while Ben gave a commentary. John Snr sang baritone to his daughter Lydia’s soprano.

By 1900 Fullers Vaudeville was the biggest in New Zealand leasing theatres in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. In 1905 the company took over the Princess Theatre in Dunedin.

‍John Fuller had recognised the potential of silent film and the company had been screening films in theatres, but he realised that a purpose-built theatre was needed. He was also in competition with Henry Hayward who was also in the film distribution business. Land was obtained in Upper Queen Street for a cinema/theatre. John Fuller & Sons already owned the Opera house in Queen Street where live theatre would continue and the new theatre was for silent film and vaudeville - A continuing story.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -