it's showtime!
DESCRIPTION
Regent Theatre Dunedin, NZ Redevelopment Appeal BrochureTRANSCRIPT
It’s Showtime!
egent Theatreeeegent
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5 November 2009
The Regent Theatre is an exemplary community asset that is pivotal to the entertainment and cultural life of
the people of Otago.
Throughout the years since the Otago Theatre Trust gift ed the theatre to the city aft er they successful saved
it from being demolished in 1980, they have worked closely with the Dunedin City Council in continuing to
ensure the ongoing viability of the Regent Theatre as our premier Performing Arts Auditorium. The City of
Dunedin is truly blessed that it can boast that the Regent Theatre it is the only large theatre in the province
with a proscenium arch and a full fl y tower that can host major productions of Opera, Drama, Musicals, Dance,
performing circuses, and so much more.
Volunteer input has always been crucial to the success of the Regent Theatre. More than two hundred
volunteers work as Ushers, Door Staff , Bar and Refreshments Staff , and of course throughout the year preparing
for the 24 Hour Book Sale. On average the volunteers raise around $250,000 per year towards the running of the
theatre.
The Regent Theatre currently faces a serious threat. Over the years technology has changed dramatically
so that theatres and production companies are now able to support performances with far more complex
sets and staging requirements. We now have a diffi cult situation to address as it is clear that some signifi cant
From th e offi ce of th e Mayor
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Front Cover Image: Regent Th eatre Interior, David Wall Photos. Images below and opposite: Th e Star Regent Booksale 2008, Allied Press; Th ree Dancers on Drums, Camut Band from
Barcelona 2008; Festival of the Arts, Chris Sullivan – Seen in Dunedin; Royal New Zealand Ballet artists in Cinderella, Maarten Holl; II Trovatore, Southern Opera 2008; Festival of
the Arts, Chris Sullivan – Seen in Dunedin; Royal New Zealand Ballet 2008, Season of Red
A Valuabl e Community Ass et
Project BackgroundThe Regent Theatre complex comprises three buildings – the original Ross Building fronting the Octagon (1896), the
magnifi cent Auditorium (1928) and the Fly Tower and Dressing Room block built aft er purchase of the theatre by the Otago
Theatre Trust (1981).
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In the twenty-eight years since the
fl y tower and dressing rooms were
built much has changed in the theatre
world. Each of the major live theatres
in New Zealand have upgraded and
modernised in the last ten years, most
recently the Civic Theatre in Invercargill
and the Opera House in Oamaru. The
Regent Theatre is the last to do so. The
number and quality of performances has
increased dramatically at those venues
following their redevelopment, and the
Regent Theatre is expected to enjoy the
same increase as a result of the successful
completion of this project.
The Trust, in partnership with the City,
conducted a feasibility study to identify a range
of issues that need proper att ention for safety and
comfort reasons. Due to the current limitations of
the theatre, Dunedin audiences are experiencing
only a fraction of the stage eff ects seen by
nationally touring shows. The redevelopment of
the Regent will allow the grandeur of our beloved
theatre to shine again and showcase the talent of
the community, the region, the nation and the
world as they all trip the light fantastic across our
stage.
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Preserving Our Heritage
The Regent Theatre complex is a hidden gem in the heart of our city. Behind the façade in the Octagon is an auditorium with
one of the largest audience capacities of any theatre in New Zealand. It has been classed as a Category One building by the
Historic Places Trust. We want to restore and enhance the original features of the Auditorium and Front of House, preserving its
beauty, grandeur, and glamour as we upgrade it for 21st century standards through this re-development project.
Audience Comfort
Improvements to seating will be a key focus of this project. Continental seating in the stalls will greatly enhance the overall
ambience of the theatre for both performers and audience alike, as new premium seats will occupy what is now the centre aisle.
Current seats (most eighty-one years old) will be replaced with state-of-the-art comfort.
REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT SECTION
0 5m 10m
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N
STAGE
STALLS
DRESSINGRM
DRESSINGRM
WC/SH WC/
SH
TECHRM
STAIRWELL
CO
RR
IDO
R
STOREROOM
STOREROOM
LIFT
UNISEXWC
RUN-OFFAREA
B-TRAINDELIVERY
DOOR
CL
UNISEXWC
UNISEXWC
STORAGEAREA
WINEBAR
AUDITORIUM FOYER
WCWCCLLIGHTWELL
CORRIDOR
MALETOILETS
FEMALETOILETS
MSB
LIFTTECHROOM
CL
ADJACENTTENANCY
BASEMENT
ORCHESTRAPIT
STAIRS UPTO STREET
REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT GROUND FLOOR PLAN
0 5m 10m
N
DRESSINGRM
WC/SH
WC/SH
STAIRWELL
CO
RR
IDO
R
STORE
VOID
DRESSINGRM
DRESSINGRM
WC
LIFT
WC/SH
VOID
ENTRANCEHALL
FLOWERSHOP
MAINENTRANCE
LANDING
VOID
STAIRLOBBY
LIFT
TICKETRECEPTION
MASHCAFE
MEZZANINELANDING
VOID TO BELOW
STAIRS UPTO CIRCLE
LOBBY
STORE
MALEWC
STAIRS UPTO CIRCLE
FEMALEWC
CIRCLE(refer to Second Floor
Plan for Seating layout)
CIRCLE(refer to Second Floor
Plan for Seating layout)
VOID TO BELOW
FLAT ROOF
TECHROOM
STORAGESPACE
OC
TA
GO
N
REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT FIRST FLOOR PLAN
0 5m 10m
N
GREENROOM
LIFTSTAIRWELL
KITCHEN
STORE
WC
STAFF / CREWRM
WC
WC
KITCHEN
CO
RR
IDO
R
LIFT
FUNCTIONROOM
OFFICE
OFFICE
STAIRS
STAIRLOBBY
FUNCTIONROOM
LOBBY
VOID
CIRCLE
VOID TO BELOW
CEILING SPACE
ROOF BELOW
DIMMERRM
REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT SECOND FLOOR PLAN
0 5m 10m
N
FLYFLOOR
ROOF
STAIRWELL
FLYFLOOR
CLSTAIRLOBBY
WC
MANAGER'SOFFICE
ADMIN
CALLCENTRE
ARCHIVE
OFFICE
CO
RR
IDO
R
PROJECTIONROOM
STAFFROOM
LIFT
FLAT ROOF
OFFICE
WC
CIRCLE(refer to Second Floor
Plan for Seating layout)
VOID TO BELOW
ROOF BELOW
STAIRS(Refer
sections)
REGENT THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT THIRD FLOOR PLAN
0 5m 10m
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Our Ch all engeBackstage
Consultation with the theatre users identifi ed fundamental
issues with the existing backstage facilities, these include:
• The theatre has only twenty four counterweight lines
which assist with raising and lowering curtains and
props, backdrops and lights. Modern productions require
fi ft y or more.
• The fl ying system which is used to create the illusion of
people or equipment fl ying across the stage has a low
clearance height that is increasingly unsafe.
• The accessible space above the curtains, where the fl ying
apparatus and lighting grids are operated from, does not
meet current safety regulations.
• The batt ens supporting scenery and lighting rigs are not
wide enough and the lines securing them are considered
to be inadequate for safety reasons.
• The present fl y galleries do not meet current standards of
width, strength or loading capacity.
• The stage has subsided and is slumping in places, creating
cracks on the stage surface.
• The theatre has very limited accessible space near the
stage for sets, properties and utilities.
• The theatre requires more dressing rooms as productions
get larger and more professional.
• The basement resembles a maze where it is possible to
lose yourself in the numerous rabbit warrens of small
rooms that are of no functional use to the theatre.
Auditorium and Front of House
The main concerns identifi ed by patrons are:
• The seating is old and uncomfortable.
• The carpet is worn threadbare in places and at times
presents a risk for tripping.
• The seating arrangement allows inadequate leg room.
• The auditorium fl oors require sanding and polishing
• The plasterwork needs to be cleaned and painted as this
has not been undertaken in many years.
• The auditorium is not protected by a fi re sprinkler
system.
Dunedin has an antiquated fl ying system. Andrew Lees, Production Manager, Royal New Zealand Ballet{ }
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Proposed SolutionsBackstage
Wide ranging options will future-proof the redevelopment:
• The stage will be demolished and rebuilt. Basement
storage space will be increased. The air-space above the
stage will be increased by three metres to allow scenery
cloths to be fl own out of sight of the audience.
• A modern counterweight fl ying system with
approximately sixty-fi ve lines will be installed.
• The batt ens will be lengthened to sixteen metres and for
safety reasons they will be secured by six lines.
• Three new dressing rooms at stage level will be
incorporated into the stage and storage areas.
• An additional storey will provide for extra dressing
rooms.
• Access to the fl y fl oors and grid will be by lift and stairs,
not ladders.
• A larger rise and fall apron stage and orchestra pit will be
installed.
• The entire stage area, including all dressing rooms will
be upgraded to exceed stage facility standards and safety
requirements.
Auditorium and Front of House
The overwhelming requirement here is for the comfort and
safety of theatre patrons:
• New seats will be installed throughout the theatre. In
the stalls, continental seating will provide greater leg
room. The centre aisle will be eliminated to increase the
number of quality viewing seats.
• The fl oors throughout the auditorium will be sanded and
sealed.
• The carpets will be replaced throughout the theatre.
• The ornate plaster throughout the auditorium will be
washed down and repainted where required.
• Fire protection systems, including sprinklers, will be
installed.
• All work throughout the auditorium will be in keeping
with its NZ Historic Places Trust Category 1 rating.
• Hearing Loop facilities will be incorporated.
• Accessibility issues will be appropriately addressed.
I have been nominated as the one to deliver some bad news.
We’re going to have to release our Season 2 and 3 bookings as
they are both big fl ying productions.
Meredith Dooley, Company Manager, Royal New Zealand Ballet
{ }My main concern is the state of the technical facilities, in particular, the grid, galleries, access ladders
and fl ying system. Th is area is an accident waiting to happen. I hope the theatre’s backstage facilities
can be brought up to current standards, to ensure the continued use of this magnifi cent venue.
Rob Peters, Production Manager, Southern Opera
{ }
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Sponsorship OptionsIn the early seventies a group of committ ed individuals
joined forces to raise the profi le of the Regent Theatre in
the community, to prevent its possible demise. Since then
the Regent has been an irreplaceable community asset – a
jewel set in the middle of the city – maintained through the
overwhelming dedication of the people of Dunedin.
Exciting opportunities have recently been created so
that you, your family, colleagues, business or club, can be part
of what is to be the Regent Theatre’s largest development
project since it was fi rst built.
The Otago Theatre Trust is thrilled to be able to present
these diff erent sponsorship options to you. With your
continuing support we look forward to realising this vision
of our theatre’s redevelopment.
An excellent audience, can I take it with me? Peter Ustinov{ }
What a great theatre to work in. Harry Secombe
{ }
Enjoyed working the Regent. Slim Whitman{ }
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Sponsorship Options cont.
Yes I/we wish to support the Redevelopment Appeal in the
following ways (please tick the box):
Become a Gold Sponsor $5,000+
Your donation as a Gold Sponsor will be acknowledged in all
Regent Theatre publications. Your name will be inscribed in
gold on the frieze encircling the foyer ceiling wall. You will
also automatically become a member of the Otago Theatre
Trust and receive all the associated privileges such as early
notifi cation of forthcoming events and touring performers.
Become a Silver Sponsor $1,001 - $4,999 Your donation as a Silver Sponsor will be acknowledged in all
Regent Theatre publications. Your name will be inscribed in
silver on the frieze encircling the foyer ceiling wall. You will
also automatically become a member of the Otago Theatre
Trust and receive all the associated privileges such as early
notifi cation of forthcoming events and touring performers.
Become a Bronze Sponsor $501 - $1,000
Your donation as a Bronze Sponsor will be recorded in our
Sponsor Board. You will automatically become a member
of the Otago Theatre Trust and receive all the associated
privileges such as early notifi cation of forthcoming events
and touring performers.
Naming Rights
To secure Naming Rights to areas within the theatre, please
contact the General Manager, Sarah Anderson on 477-6481
or email saraha@regentt heatre.co.nz.
Sponsor a seat/seats • For a donation of $500 per seat each seat sponsor
will automatically become a member of the Otago
Theatre Trust
• The names of sponsors will be permanently recorded
on plaques on the back of the auditorium seats
I/we wish to sponsor ______ (number) of seats.
I/we wish to make a cash donation_____Amount:
Please make cheque payable to Regent Theatre
Redevelopment Appeal.
Credit Card Mastercard Visa
Number
Expiry /
Credit card donations can also be made at the Regent
Theatre Booking Offi ce.
Payment OptionsTick here if you would like to split your donation equally
into one of these options:
Monthly until 30 June 2011 Other (please specify)
Correspondence/receipt information
Name
Address
Telephone
Name(s) for Endowment Seat acknowledgement plaque(s) (if
diff erent to above)
To discuss your contribution:
The Regent Theatre Redevelopment Appeal
P O Box 5036
17 The Octagon
Dunedin
Telephone 03 477 6481
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