Theatre regaining old elegance

Press, 12 June 1987, Page 10

Theatre regaining old elegance

By

MIRIAM MONTIGUE

It is with pride and pleasure that we invite the public df Christchurch to see what their support of the Theatre Royal has so far achieved.

It is two years since the theatre was open to the public. Guided tours will run from 11 a.m. on Sunday, with special displays of lighting, stage equipment, make-up, theatre costumes, and a rare

chance to see how t theatre works and. the theatre from an actor’s point of view. The Friends of the Theatre Royal have ar ranged this open day tc mark yet another mile.

stone in the rich history of this lovely old building. Much has been accom- , plished, the most recent project being the reseating of the dress circle. With the installation of three beautiful chande-

liers in the stalls and circle foyers, and over the marble staircase, the atmosphere of the theatre is rapidly regaining its old elegance. Barely seven years ago the Theatre Royal was within 48 hours of being bulldozed and lost to the city. Thanks, however, to the foresight and determination of a dedicated group of Christchurch people who formed a trust and appealed to the people of this city to save this historic building, this dire fate was avoided. ' To many people a great deal of the appeal of the theatre is personal. Hundreds of Christchurch theatre-goers have “trod the boards” there — in ballet recitals, university revues, with choirs and operatic societies, and in plays. Others have fond memories of stars and shows. Clara Butt, Paderewski, Oscar Asche, Sybil Thorndike, John Gielgud, Yehudi Menuhin when only 17 years of age, Tod Duncan, the Royal Ballet with Fonteyn and Helpman, Marcel Marceau, Victor Borge — the list is endless and star-studded. Little wonder the ghosts of artists past were disturbed at the thought of the theatre being demolished. Now the theatre belongs to the people of Christchurch. Administered by the Theatre Royal Foundation, its daily running watched over by the Charitable Trust’s Management Board. Fund-raising and voluntary. , contribution from the Friends of the Theatre Royal helps also — keeping the theatre alive and well. Christchurch citizens can be proud that they have helped save this historic building and cultural asset. Many people have contributed to the huge cost of reseating, and many more donors will be required to meet the even greater cost of restoring the stalls area.

A contribution of $lOO will “buy” a seat in the stalls and there are still seats in the dress circle at $l2O for which one may apply. Donations for the seating campaign are tax exempt, and the gift will be marked by a plaque on the seat, bearing the donor’s name. The Friends of the Theatre Royal Christchurch Incorporated, is a group of supporters who pay a small annual subscription to become members. A newsletter is sent out every three months, there are social functions, theatre booking concessions where available, and the opportunity to be part of fund-raising, such as the second Theatre Royal book fair planned for October this year. The alm of the Friends is to support the Theatre Royal by helping to provide new or improved facilities * and some of those extras which are gradually making the Theatre Royal the most technically efficient, comfortable, and elegant theatre in ..the country. ‘