Theatre goers get a soaking

Some patrons at Sol3 Mio’s Palmerston North concert at the weekend had a free shower as part of the experience when the Regent Theatre’s roof sprung a leak.

Regent on Broadway general manager Davidwalsh said about three-quarters of the way through the near-capacity show, there was a heavy downpour. It did not last long, but a couple of dozen people had to be moved as the mops came out to limit the damage. The leak happened high up above the seating at the back of the dress circle.

Walsh said it was in an area where there had been leaks before, which had left some marks on the wall, and the roof repairs had clearly failed again.

The city council, as owner of the heritage theatre, was told about the problem on Sunday, and there were inspections on site on Monday.

Walsh said while the wall dried and repairs were carried out, the loss of seating would not impact on any shows within the next few days, which would only be using the downstairs seating.

The next full production that would require the whole theatre to be utilised was Madagascar, The Musical, on April 28.

He hoped the roof repairs would have been completed by then.

During the theatre’s quiet time for bookings, probably in January, scaffolding would be brought in so the plaster walls could be properly repaired, plastered and re-painted.

Walsh reported the incident to yesterday’s city council arts, culture and heritage committee, and described it as amaintenance issue.

Committee chairwoman Rachel Bowen said the committee would be receiving a report in August on the maintenance, renewal plans and budgets for its cultural facilities, including the Regent on Broadway.