Theatre gift to city pondered

BY TRACY NEAL

The trust that has managed the multimillion-dollar overhaul of Nelson's historic Theatre Royal is considering gifting it to Nelson city.

Nelson Historic Theatre Trust chairman Greg Shaw told The Nelson Mail this week that the fully operating theatre might be handed over to the community.

"As chairman of the trust, I have to look after the interests of many, including Nelson Repertory and the community's interest in the theatre. My personal opinion is we should be gifting it to Nelson," Mr Shaw said.

A Nelson Repertory representative on the trust, Greg McCauley, confirmed that there had been informal talks but said the option of gifting would be discussed in more detail at the society's annual meeting in April or May.

Mr McCauley said any handing over would be considered under the terms of the trust deed.

"The Theatre Royal is still the home of Nelson Repertory. We have a licence to occupy, which is part of the terms of the deed," Mr McCauley said.

He added that Nelson now had a "top-notch facility" that retained historic features in what was now a modern theatre.

The 350-seat Theatre Royal is set to reopen on June 1 with a gala variety concert. It closed five years ago for a major refurbishment costing $5.9 million, which has been largely paid for with government and council grants and loans.

Nelson City Council finance manager Chris Fitchett said loan funding had a minimal impact on rates.

Mr Shaw said a management structure was being put in place to return the theatre to being a fully operational and profitable business.

Nelson Mayor Kerry Marshall said the idea that the council should own strategic assets had been floated from time to time.

"In my view, the Theatre Royal is a very important community asset to the city and wider region. If gifting was the way forward, then I think we would embrace it."

Mr Marshall said there were options for different ownership models, and how the debt might be managed in order to protect ratepayers' interests.

He said it was possible that the debt could be ring-fenced, and that the trust might still have to be responsible for it.

Councillor Ali Boswijk, co-holder of the community services portfolio, said gifting the theatre to Nelson would be "amazing".

"It was shut because it was falling down, not because it wasn't making money."

Theatre Royal manager Guy Boyce said bookings were healthy up to 2012, and included performances by the Royal New Zealand Ballet and possibly the New Zealand Opera.

Mr Boyce said 98 bookings were confirmed for the next seven months, ahead of the original target of a projected 168 bookings for the year.

"From March 8-11 next year the Royal New Zealand Ballet is booked. The company is being encouraged here by local sponsors but I'm not sure yet what will be achieved.

"New Zealand Opera has made inquiries, as it's trying to set up around Rugby World Cup events."

He said the theatre would see the return of regular local supporters including the Nelson Academy of Dance and Wakatu Dance Company.

The Indian Ink Theatre Company from Auckland was confirmed for later in the year, Mr Boyce said.

National companies had also shown interest in coming to Nelson to present international work.

Mrs Boswijk said the council had had conversations around how the Theatre Royal might affect plans for a performing arts centre in Nelson.

"There is general thinking that the Theatre Royal is what it is – it's a great venue for smaller types of performances but it has limitations, meaning we can only ever get shows of a certain size.

"A place like the Theatre Royal is a community theatre to suit community needs."

See ROYAL PROCESSION, page 4

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