NZ HERALD: Tuesday Aug 26, 2008. By Bernard Orsman
A review of theatre venues in Auckland City calls for an immediate start on the long-planned $21 million Q Theatre behind the Auckland Town Hall. The review, by Horwath International, says the current performing arts venues in the city are failing to meet the needs of the professional theatre and dance sectors. As well as making a start on the 350-to-460-seat flexible Q Theatre, the report recommends the council immediately start planning a 500-to-600-seat drama theatre within the same Aotea Theatre precinct. Further down the track there should be a 100-to-200-seat studio theatre as part of the drama theatre, the review said.
The recommendations, with the backing of council officers, will be considered by councillors at tomorrow's arts, culture and recreation committee meeting. Q Theatre general manager Susanne Ritzenhoff said the recommendations confirmed the need to advance the project, while also recognising the flexible theatre was never the only solution.
The project had resource consent and could be built in two years, she said. Auckland Theatre Company general manager Lester McGrath said the concept of a flagship multi-venue theatre, envisaged only a few months ago with a proposal at Mid City in Queen St, seemed to have disappeared. "I'm left wondering why [a multi-venue theatre] has dropped off the radar.” The review said a mix of theatres would result in a more vibrant and sustainable performing arts sector. Mr McGrath said there was absolutely no argument with the finding that a number of theatre spaces were required, but he was concerned about the political will and money to build a 500-to-600-seat drama theatre.
Planning a drama theatre is estimated to cost $600,000 over two years. That is unbudgeted spending that must compete with other demands, such as an extra $17 million to $24 million for the Rugby World Cup, at a time when the council is slashing spending to hold rates to inflation.
The review said a proposal involving the St James Theatre was not favoured because it could not meet the priority theatre needs and there was significant uncertainty about the costs and timeframes because the building was not owned by the council. The review also noted uncertainty around the availability of the Maidment and SkyCity theatres and recommended the council should negotiate with their owners to secure greater certainty about availability until new venues were built. Councillors will consider the full capital and running costs of the Q Theatre tomorrow.
A confidential paper is understood to include details of a proposed $6 million grant from the Lotteries Commission, with a condition that the council increases running costs from $300,000 a year to $400,000.The paper also includes details of lost income to the council from the removal of carparking for the theatre.Arts, community and recreation policy manager Ruth Stokes said she hoped all the costings would be made public. The council has pledged $9.2 million to the $21 million Q Theatre project, which has been planned for 10 years to fill the gap for a medium-sized theatre since the demise of the Watershed Theatre in 1996.
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