Her Majesty’s Theatre’s $35m reconstruction to include work on auditorium, stage and technical facilities
Patrick McDonald, Chief Arts Writer, The Advertiser
April 6, 2017 9:00pm
MORE than a mere foyer facelift, Her Majesty’s Theatre will be getting some major bodywork done to its auditorium, stage and technical facilities as part of a $35 million reconstruction.
A rooftop terrace and curtain-like mesh covering will adorn the new four-storey glass entrance foyer to be built on adjoining land at 62 Grote St.
Two new seating balconies and private boxes will also be constructed within the auditorium, while the stage dimensions, orchestra pit and backstage facilities will all be expanded and updated.
Cox Architecture unveiled its first concept drawings as part of a donors launch for the Her Majesty’s Theatre Renewal Project at the 104-year-old venue last night.
"It’s the idea of blending this incredible history with a contemporary design approach to create a new iconic, landmark performance venue for Adelaide,’’ said Cox Architecture state manager Adam Hannon.
“It’s both restoring her former glory but it’s also taking it beyond, to the next level, to really provide a modern theatre that would hopefully be the envy of Australia and the world."
Actor Geoffrey Rush, cabaret star David Campbell and singer Kate Ceberano also added their names to the list of ambassadors for the project, joining patron Barry Humphries, soprano Greta Bradman — who performed at the launch — musical theatre star Rhonda Burchmore and columnist Peter Goers.
Existing foyer space between the heritage-listed original facade and the auditorium will be completely gutted and four new levels installed, with the ground floor lowered to street level so that patrons no longer have to climb steps to enter.
“People can look out some of these amazing windows — that previously have been blocked up — with fantastic views over Grote St, the market precinct and the hills beyond,’’ Mr Hannon said.
Each level will be connected by walkways to the new foyer building, with bars and bathrooms on every floor.
The top level of the original building will feature an indoor gallery and function space, which will open on to the rooftop terrace of the new foyer.
Cox Architecture is working with international theatre consultants Schuler Shook and Richard Stuart to redesign the interior of the auditorium and stage facilities.
The existing dress circle balcony and grand circle (hidden by the current ceiling) will now be removed and rebuilt on less steep angles to provide better sightlines, more leg room and greater safety, with additional boxes that seat 6-8 people.
Width and height of the proscenium arch stage will be increased, the fly tower which lifts scenery will be raised by up to eight metres and a new orchestra pit will be built. New dressing rooms and offices will be constructed behind the venue, with the loading dock moved to face Pitt St.
“That’s really to allow the physical space to accommodate the major musicals — exactly the sort of shows that Adelaide is missing out on,’’ Mr Hannon said.
The fundraising campaign has already raised $250,000 of its $3.2 million target, to supplement $32 million provided by the State Government for the project, which is due to begin early next year.
Adelaide Festival Centre chief executive Douglas Gautier said the renewal project would address many of the issues caused by past renovations.
“This was a theatre, when it was built, that accommodated over 2000 people and it was a jewel in the Tivoli (theatre group) crown,’’ Mr Gautier said.
“In the ’70s it was considerably downscaled by the renovations that went on then.
“We want to get it back to a fully operating, 1500-seat theatre so that the big commercial producers will use it."
Mr Gautier said the new foyer building, bars and gallery space were intended to make Her Majesty’s a destination that linked in with the Adelaide Central Market and Gouger St dining precinct.
“It has to be ambitious and it has to be something we are all going to be proud of for the next 50 years,’’ he said.
“It will be an auditorium for the 21st century, within that early 20th century shell.’’
Donations can be made at hermajestystheatre.org.au
