Raymond Boyce

Raymond Stanley Boyce MBE (20 May 1928 – 1 August 2019) was a British-New Zealand stage designer, costume designer and puppeteer and puppet designer. 

He acted as theatre-consultant in the 1970s to James Beard Architects, who were in charge of the design of the Hannah Playhouse, for resident company Downstage Theatre. Boyce brought his scenographic insight to the architectural design, helping establish the flexible stage and auditorium configurations that the building became known for.

On The Hannah’s opening night in 1973 with Downstage’s production of As You Like It, Boyce’s set design utilised a traverse layout for dinner theatre, showcasing the flexibility and possibilities of the auditorium.

The building itself is celebrated as a Brutalist architectural landmark in Wellington, and Boyce’s early input into its design has been explicitly cited as a defining moment in New Zealand theatre architecture.

Beyond his connection to The Hannah, Boyce was part of the start professional theatre movement in New Zealand influencing the artistic landscape with his design knowledge. He designed hundreds of theatre shows and was named an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon in 2007.