TOUR OF THEATRE
TAKE A PEEK INSIDE NEW COMPLEX
CAIRNS Mayor Bob Manning has raised the curtain on the Cairns Performing Arts Centre for an all-access sneak peek ahead of its rapidly approaching opening night.
The Cairns Post was treated to an early tour of the $70.5 million building, which has faced obstacles at every turn but still managed to meet its final deadline.
“I’ve been involved in airport terminal buildings, marine structures, but nothing like this,” Cr Manning said.
“This is a building that reflects the feelings of people, it reflects the character of the city, the culture.
“Our kids have got this for the rest of their lives.”
The centrepiece of the sprawling complex is a 940seat main theatre, with brass and timber elements celebrated, an orchestra pit and stateof-the-art technology throughout.
Project manager Paul Stubbs said enormous attention to detail had been taken in the design.
The fly tower, used to lift and drop huge pieces of set scenery – and potentially performers – has 50 ropes counterbalanced by a tonne of weights. “They become neutrally buoyant and they can fly the set up and down,” Mr Stubbs explained.
The advanced airconditioning system winds through the floor, rather than trying to fill the enormous empty space above the crowd’s heads.
“The body is a heat source, so that’s putting cold air straight to the heat source,” Mr Stubbs said.
“So it’s a very efficient mechanical design.
“A brand new facility gives you the ability to do all these great latest technology improvements.”
Cr Manning chipped in: “We’re the best until the next one’s built!”
The theatre has 240 balcony seats – an intentional move by the architects to increase the intimacy in what could have easily become a big cold building if not done right.
CA Architects director Carlo Amerio, who designed the centre in collaboration with Cox Architecture, said it had all the warmth in person as he had hoped on paper.
“The concept was basically to maintain a building in the park scenario, and we have done that,” he said.
Standing in the foyer, with 9.5m-tall ceilings cut through by winding gangways and large indigenous art pieces flooded by natural light, the Munro Martin Parklands become a palpable part of the building despite the busy road that separates them.
Mr Amerio said the outside had been brought inside with the use of organic colours replacing the outdoor turf, natural stone flooring from Herberton and external design elements reflected in the interior. A permanent collection of “Bagu” indigenous sculptures from Cardwell – based on the traditional fire-making implements of the Girringun rainforest Aboriginal people – overlooks the outside of the theatre near the front entrance.
Then there is the studio theatre, only 100 or so seats smaller than the former Cairns Civic Theatre but with an engine room allowing the floor to be lowered, raised and tiered to achieve a level of flexibility the centre’s forerunner never had.
Controversy over the fire safety of external cladding aside, Cr Manning said he was thrilled at the finished product.
“This is a building that reflects the feelings of people, it reflects the character of the city, the culture,” he said. “This will shape people. It’s just a wonderful asset to have.”
He said it was a piece of an arts and culture puzzle that was nearing completion.
“It combines well with its little sister across the road, the Munro Martin Parklands,” he said. Then the State Government is doing up the CoCA building. If we get the gallery precinct done, that then completes the arts scene.
“Sporting bodies have been pretty well handled, this will complete the cultural side.
“Then we’ve got some other things to do, like the port.”