Theatre’s progress thrills a founder

Press, 13 February 1986, Page 6

Theatre’s progress thrills a founder

A founding member of the Friends of the Theatre Royal, on holiday in Christchurch, is "thrilled” with the progress and continuing enthusiasm for the theatre’s preservation. Mr Colin Robertson, the former owner of the Christchurch auctioneer and estate agent, Sherris and Robertson, retired to the Bay of Islands four years ago after seeing the “grand old lady” saved from possible demolition. Returning for a nostalgic look, Mr Robertson said he was delighted with the success of renovations and management of the theatre.

“I get a great satisfaction from seeing what was a challenging task now come to fruition,” he said yesterday.

Mr Robertson’s involvement with the 78-year-old theatre began in 1975, when he was Instructed gto find a buyer for the property. Mr Robertson had previously been involved with the establishment of the Arts Centre as a member of an advisory panel, and he decided the theatre was "too good for the city to lose.” He was joined by a number of fellow businessmen and the

Friends of the Theatre Royal was formed. Through public support, the society raised the necessary $175,000 to buy and preserve the theatre. Preserving the unique atmosphere of the Theatre Royal was uppermost in Mr Robertson’s mind.

“You sit in those seats at half-time and look up and realise that we have a heritage for years to come.”

Since the take-over, the theatre has been repainted and rewired. Dressing rooms have been rebuilt, a new lighting system installed, and the orchestral pit extended to cater for up to 70 players. The society is now raising funds for one of its last big renovation projects, the seating. The estimated cost is between $lOO,OOO and $120,000. To accomplish this, the society is running a buy-a-seat scheme. A $lOO gift entitles the donor to preferential bookings and his name engraved on the seat, and $l5O for circle seats. Mr Robertson still believes the Theatre Royal has a special place among Christchurch entertainment venues, an opinion

which is backed by the fact that the theatre is substantially booked for 1986. “This is a special place for very special functions. John Matheson (a visiting conductor for a recent production of ‘Swan Lake’ held at the theatre) said it had the best orchestral pit in the country, and James Robertson, an overseas acoustics expert, said it was as good as anything in Europe, which gave us a lot of confidence.” With most of the preservation nearly complete, Mr Robertson says the society can now “see the light at the end of the tunnel” — the eventual freehold of the theatre. Nearly all those who bought shares during the fund-raising have transferred them to the society, and with the improved facilities attracting bigger acts, Mr Robertson looks forward to the time l when the Theatre Royal will be able to put its profits back into the community instead of renovations.

However, this could only come about with continued public support, he said.