Lots of stories to be told at hall's centenary

Allen Hall committee members (from left) Lisa Warrington, Bronwyn Wallace, Hilary Halba, Martyn...
Allen Hall committee members (from left) Lisa Warrington, Bronwyn Wallace, Hilary Halba, Martyn Roberts, Miriam Noonan, Alison Finigan, Annabelle Craig and Daniel Goodwin hold the book Allen Hall: 100 Years 100+ Voices ahead of centenary celebrations...

Allen Hall Theatre has seen plenty of drama over the past 100 years and its history as the University of Otago's home of theatre will be celebrated this weekend.

Associate Prof Lisa Warrington, who has prepared a book on Allen Hall's history for attendees, said she was looking forward to reconnecting with alumni during the three-day event to mark the building's centenary.

Activities at the three-day event would reflect the building's position as the home of theatre on campus and people with a connection to the building were being asked to join the festivities.

''There will be an exciting array of skills and talents there, and many of them will be keen to meet old friends and remember their time in Allen Hall.

''There will be a lot of laughter and a lot of stories to tell. We'll have a weekend of performance, memories, fun and the launch of the book Allen Hall: 100 Years 100+ Voices,'' she said.

Designed by architect Edward Anscombe and named after Dunedin politician and former university chancellor Sir James Allen, Allen Hall was officially opened on April 7, 1914.

It was not always the home of theatre studies and originally served as the student union, a role that lasted until 1960.

From its early days, it was also a home to the Otago University Drama Society, which continued to perform there until the 1990s.

From the early 1970s, Allen Hall became home to drama, later renamed theatre studies.

Centenary activities will include open mike sessions and semi-informal short performances written for the reunion by playwrights with strong Allen Hall connections.

The Verlaines will also be giving a special one-off performance to mark the event.

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