ANCHOR: Welcome to tonight’s Auckland Area News. I’m your anchor, Matt Sands. Next week Auckland will be celebrating the reopening of its oldest theatre in what is widely seen to be a push towards the revival of stage entertainment in New Zealand.

The Queen’s Theatre, originally built in 1857, was the centre of the city’s theatrical community for over a hundred years. During the First and Second World Wars it was a sanctuary for people who needed relief from worries about their loved ones fighting overseas and the grim realities of war. Then, in the 1960s, the increasing popularity and affordability of film pulled audiences out of stage theatres and into big-screen cinemas. Fewer seats being filled meant less money, and the Queen’s Theatre officially closed its doors in 1972.

Fast-forward to about 25 years later when the Auckland Theatre Association, an organisation consisting of Auckland’s most renowned theatrical professionals, began petitioning the city to grant a permit for the theatre’s renovations. Permission was granted in 1998, and a local restoration crew began work.

Progress stalled in 2000, however, due to a lack of funds. Then, in 2009, an anonymous donor provided $650,000 to complete the renovations. Efforts recommenced, and the restoration project was finally finished just last month, in July 2012.

According to Michelle McColl, director of the Auckland Theatre Association, their hope is that reopening the Queen’s Theatre will provide a space for community, creativity, and youth engagement. With Auckland’s rising drug use, there is an urgent need to provide activities that the city’s young people can take part in after school. But more than just activities, theatre groups can provide community and support to those vulnerable to negative peer pressures.

The reopening day next Saturday will include several short performances by theatrical troupes, as well as a speech by Director McColl. An early press release from her office stated that plans for the coming year’s events and activities would be announced at that time. 

But you can be sure that a few items will be on the agenda, not the least of which the development of a Youth Drama Club. Sources have told us that any child between the ages of 12 and 17 who is enrolled at an Auckland public school may participate. The costs of the program will be absorbed by a combination of gifts in kind from the local community and a grant from the New Zealand Youth Association.

There will also be regular plays put on by area theatre groups who will have the option of reserving the space for a small fee of $100 per night. Schools, interest groups, non-profit organisations, and bands may also book the venue, but preference will be given to organisations and groups registered with the Auckland Theatre Association.

All this and more will be explained in detail on Saturday night. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5 p.m., and doors will open immediately after. Director McColl’s introductory speech will start at 6 p.m., followed by four short performances of about 20 minutes each. There will be one intermission of 20 minutes, during which beverages and snacks will be sold in the downstairs entrance area.

Those from the general public who wish to attend may purchase tickets from the Auckland Theatre Association’s website at www.ata.nz, or visit the Queen’s Theatre box office between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. any weekday. Seating is limited, with a maximum capacity of 250 people, so a sold-out event is likely. Advance booking is highly recommended.

If you are unable to make Saturday’s event but would like to contribute to the Queen’s Theatre and its projects, you can contact the box office for information on how to make a donation. For up-to-date information about events and performances, send an e-mail to queenstheatre@ata.nz to subscribe to their mailing list.

Answer Key

1. 1857

2. Film

3. 1972

4. Auckland Theatre Association

5. rising drug use

6. Director McColl

7. Youth Drama Club

8. $100

9. Ribbon-cutting ceremony

10. Box office