Theatre Royal Opening

Media Release Monday May 24
 
There’s a caffeine trail leading to Nelson’s Theatre Royal as builders and decorators put in long hours to get the refurbished heritage building ready for its reopening, at a dawn blessing on Monday May 31 (7am), led by Kaumatua Rev Andy Joseph and Nelson taonga puoro authority Richard Nunns.
 
Nelson Historic Theatre Trust Chair Greg Shaw says he is absolutely rapt with how the old theatre now looks.
 
“When you think that six years ago people were calling for the theatre to be bulldozed, I am rapt with what has been achieved,” he said. “We’ve had huge support from local and central government but it’s the support from the community that has helped us to achieve the impossible – the message to Nelson is that the arts have got a future in this city.”
 
The first show to take the stage of one of the oldest wooden theatres in the world, after its five year, six million dollar refurbishment, will be Fat Freddy’s Drop. They lead off a Gala Opening Celebration that features eleven performances picked to show off the capabilities of the facility.
 
Theatre Establishment Manager Guy Boyce says there is tremendous enthusiasm in Nelson about the Theatre Royal reopening.
 
“Tickets for the opening celebrations are selling phenomenally well –people are making the most of the opportunity to see stars that range from Parisian cabaret performer Caroline Nin to J Williams with his South Auckland gospel-R&B fusion,” he said. “But even more than the shows, people just really want to be part of the whole buzz around the re-opening – the Theatre Royal holds memories for anyone who has lived in Nelson for anything over a decade and our many newcomers are picking up on this.”

The opening celebrations close with two Gala Variety Concerts of Nelson talent, and there will be a formal opening on June 18 officiated by the wife of the Governor General, Her Excellency Lady Susan Satyanand, and the Theatre Royal’s two patrons, Dame Kate Harcourt and Helen Moulder. The official opening will be prior to the first of the variety concerts and will be followed by a function for invited guests.
 
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