Allen Hall Theatre
Allen Hall, also known as the Allen Hall Theatre, is a building at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. It is named after James Allen, Vice-Chancellor and then Chancellor of the university, who was instrumental in raising funds for building the hall. Originally the student association building, opened in 1914, the hall now operates as a theatre. Allen Hall is known for the series of Lunchtime Theatre performances. The hall and archway are registered as a Category I historic place by Heritage New Zealand. History of the building In 1909 it was proposed that a building be constructed for the use of students. At that time, the university had 323 students, with only two cloakrooms. There was nowhere for students to socialise, read, or pass the time between lectures. Furthermore, the largest room was the Chemistry Lecture Hall, which was too small to accommodate all the students of the university at once, having space only to seat the women students, and leaving the men ranged around the walls and listening from the corridors. Social events were required to be held in hired halls off-campus due to the fixed seating in the lecture theatre. The proposal was made in