Hundreds yesterday got their share of hundreds of seats removed to make way for the theatre's redevelopment.
One by one, little pieces of entertainment history left the Forbury Park stables for new lives around the South Island.
Alex Benson, of Opoho, had been waiting for more than a year to get his hands on the authentic seats he needed for his personal theatre beside his garage.
"They are a piece of history - good and authentic," the avid theatre memorabilia collector said.
"They are just what I was after - now it'll be a real little theatre."
Nearby, Ray and Barbara Prince were loading the first of 10 seats into their ute. They were destined for Twizel, where they would be used for music recitals in their French-style chateau.
Melanie Morrison needed a chair for her son's bedroom and a media-shy Annalise - a theatre regular - needed only a few for family in the Gibbston Valley, and for when the grandchildren visited Doctor's Point.
Matt Eastern was not sure why he needed the chairs on his trailer - they could be for friends' shearing sheds, or somewhere to sit when having a beer on their porches.
"Well, it's a good opportunity to get a bit of history. They're a talking point - a little bit of the Regent."
"Shattered" after a "difficult" day co-ordinating the transfers, theatre general manager Sarah Anderson said many chairs were destined for interesting uses.
Many of the Regent's more than 1800 seats went to 15 community organisations, including a rowing club, a theatre in Rangiora and a youth group in Mataura. At least two would be used for a bed for a dog.
The eight-month redevelopment will include building a modern system to move stage scenery, enlarging the basement and storage areas, and improving the orchestra pit.
There was also plenty of room to install some new chairs.
