Much ado about a Globe Theatre proposal

Image by DANIEL HALL

STRATFORD-ON-MAITAI? A photo composition of what a replica Globe Theatre might look like on the banks of the Maitai River.

One man's vision for a Globe Theatre overlooking Nelson's Maitai River is probably not to be, after it drew a mixed response from Nelson city councillors and performing arts representatives.

"It would be a bit like trying to rebuild Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London in Nelson, or putting a marae on London's South Bank," said Dawn Sanders, of the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand.

Nelson man Daniel Hall presented his concept for The Globe Theatre Nelson to the city council, as an "iconic venue" for artists and performers in New Zealand.

It would take the form of the famous replica in London, modelled on the original built in 1599 by William Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men. A modern reconstruction opened in 1997 near the original site.

Mr Hall suggested a replica in Nelson might be built on an area of Rutherford Park near the Maitai River. It would be the first Globe Theatre in the southern hemisphere, and its design would enhance Nelson's skyline and "complement Civic House".

He also said it would inspire patronage of the arts. "While people might not travel from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch to see yet another performing arts centre, they will come here to see Shakespeare in the Globe Theatre," he said.

It could also inspire associated festivals, such as a Renaissance festival where events might include chamber music, jousting, jesters and a "crowd favourite" – throwing tomatoes at local officials.

Mr Hall had not done any analysis of how much the theatre would cost to build, but he told councillors he had spoken with interested benefactors.

No-one had said they did not like the idea, he said. "The next stage would be a costing, but I first wanted to find out if it was even possible."

The Nelson co-ordinator of the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festivals, Lyndal Howley, said the theatre would be a "very good" tourist attraction, depending on what it cost to build.

"If the theatre was here, you could hold week-long Shakespeare festivals which could be a regular summer event. It would be the only one of its kind in the country."

Mrs Sanders, who founded the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand in 1991 to promote education-based activities, including the annual Sheilah Winn Festival of Shakespeare in Schools, acknowledged Nelson needed a new performing arts centre, but said the Globe was a "very, very special place" as a performance venue. "If you're trying to do a Globe anywhere in the world, you have to ask yourself, `Why?"'

Councillor Ali Boswijk asked at the meeting whether there might be legal issues in replicating the design. Mrs Sanders said even though there were a number of look-alikes around the world, "very strict" copyright rules applied to the design.

Councillor Rachel Reese said the concept did not fit with Nelson city, or the suggested location, which formed part of a "very important landscape".

Councillor Pete Rainey, a member of the Nelson Historic Theatre Trust, said while he applauded Mr Hall's enthusiasm, he opposed the project because it would not meet the needs of the city or the region as far as a performing arts centre was concerned.

- © Fairfax NZ News