Theatre set to star once again | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

ONE of the grand old ladies of Christchurch cinema is set for a starring role again.

The decaying 123-year-old Odeon Theatre on Tuam St, which has been under the threat of demolition for two years, is set to be restored to its former glory.

The building, which began life in 1883 as a public theatre and hall, has been bought by high-profile property developer Dave Henderson for an undisclosed sum. He said he had bought the building to ensure its survival. "It's a gorgeous old building, it's got a fascinating history in Christchurch and I was very anxious and keen to see that it persisted."

Mr Henderson's company Property Ventures is currently examining the building's structure to determine what improvements are needed.

He hoped to give a report to the city council by February which would show the work that would be needed. When it opened in 1883, the theatre was the city's largest public entertainment venue, seating a total of 2000 people. But in 1930, it was remodelled and re-opened as the St James. Although it was mainly used to show movies, it also hosted many live acts, including legendary actor Sir Laurence Olivier, before it became the Odeon cinema in 1960.

The Christchurch Assembly of God bought it 25 years later, re-opening it as their place of worship. In November 2003 it was sold to a group of Christchurch business people, who applied to the city council a year later to demolish it.

Nick Paris, chairman of the Save the Odeon Trust which was set up in 2004, said the timing was "fantastic".