Theatre’s little brother due soon

A final fundraising push is underway for an intimate theatre in Marlborough after almost 15 years in the works.

The Marlborough Civic Theatre Trust has so far received about $900,000 of the $1.2 million required to furnish a small complex in Blenheim’s ASB Theatre.

The Anderson Theatre will be the ‘‘final piece’’ of the multifunction puzzle.

Marlborough Theatre Trust chairman Kevin Moseley said the new theatre was a ‘‘small space’’ which could lend itself to more intimate shows.

‘‘The main auditorium holds around 720 people, while the Anderson Theatre holds between 100 to 220,’’ Moseley said.

The theatre could host music recitals, ballet rehearsals, craft displays and small conferences, ‘‘without making you feel as if you’ve got a small audience’’, Moseley said.

‘‘It’s a space for anyone in the community to use,’’ he said.

While Moseley predicted booking methods would be ‘‘no different’’ than they were at present, he did expect the Anderson Theatre to be ‘‘smaller and cheaper to use’’ than its big brother.

‘‘It will make the theatre more flexible for the community, because smaller groups will now be able to afford to use it,’’ he said.

‘‘The Anderson Theatre is also flexible, as it can have seating or just be a box.’’

The theatre was inspired by other world-class theatres, such as those in Christchurch.

‘‘If you look at theatres around the world, you’ll see that they have a major performing area, called an auditorium, and some smaller areas too,’’ Moseley said.

But Moseley said the Anderson Theatre was ‘‘basically a concrete box’’ at the moment.

‘‘It needs to be lined out. Equipment also needs to be put into the ceiling, like lighting and sound,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re also going to put in a spring floor, which means the theatre can be used for ballet rehearsals.’’

Funding for the Anderson Theatre’s furnishing had been funnelled towards completing the main theatre.

‘‘To get the auditorium up and running, we took things out of the Anderson Theatre, like the lining,’’ he said.

He said the ASB Theatre would need $1.2m to finalise the Anderson Theatre, which is expected to be up and running by February next year.

The theatre received a $900,000 grant from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage towards the Anderson Theatre’s completion, with the remaining $300,000 expected to be raised through fundraising.

While Moseley said he was in discussion with ‘‘several organisations’’ about raising the remaining funds he could not reveal which ones.

He said Ross Anderson, who had been a major fundraiser for the ASB Theatre, was continuing to help fundraising for the completion of the theatre.

The Anderson family bought naming rights to the mini theatre after contributing several ‘‘big donations’’, Moseley said.

After it was completed, the ASB Theatre would have cost an estimated $22 million to build.

The Marlborough District Council agreed to pay off the ASB Theatre’s debt in three segments – a $3m donation followed by two donations of $1.5m.

More donations were given at the beginning of the debt-clearing payments to prevent excessive interest.

A council spokesman said the theatre, which overlooks the Taylor River, would be clear of its $5m debt from July. A missing schoolgirl has been found after an anxious 30 hours for her family.

Blenheim woman Jess Vincent has confirmed her 13-yearold daughter Faith has been found, after she ran away from school on Tuesday morning.

A police spokeswoman said police were told on Wednesday afternoon that Faith was at a friend’s house and she was fine.

‘‘Faith is safe, and we are getting help from the right people now,’’ Vincent said yesterday.

‘‘I can’t even be angry at her. I’m just so relieved she’s OK.’’

Vincent had searched Pollard Park and Waterlea Racecourse on Tuesday night, to no avail, and, after reporting the disappearance to police, searched Brayshaw Park with her sister on Wednesday.

‘‘I’m not letting her go a second night. I feel sick,’’ Vincent said, two hours before her daughter was found.

She was overwhelmed by the amount of help and supportive messages offered by the community.

Vincent put a post on Facebook on Tuesday night, which had been shared more than 700 times by Wednesday morning.

‘‘That’s massive, that’s huge,’’ she said on Wednesday morning.

‘‘There are a lot of people looking for her and we’ve got a lot of intel.

‘‘It’s been intense. I just hope she found somewhere warm to stay. It was so cold last night.