Saving professional theatre

THE sudden closure of Dunedin’s professional theatre has caused deep regret and sadness within the wider community.

Without warning, the Fortune Theatre announced it was closing its theatre operation immediately after trustees agreed it could not continue under its current business model and in its premises.

Shocked staff and people with events planned have been left searching for reasons.

Money is always at the heart of professional theatre. The sudden closure in 2013 of Wellington’s Downstage Theatre caused many to exclaim something was wrong with professional arts funding.

For her part, Fortune board of trustees chairwoman Haley van Leeuwen says the board has been through an exhaustive process of reviews. It has decided to close the theatre company because it is no longer financially viable.

Plaques on the wall inside the entrance to the theatre contain the names of patrons of the theatre. These patrons deserve a much more detailed reason than the one already supplied by Mrs van Leeuwen.

The thought of no more shows being performed in the theatre is terrible. The heady days of Roger Hall plays being performed are over. At least for the time being.

Associate Arts Minister, and Finance Minister, Grant Robertson offered an online message of support after the news became public. The Government is still committed to professional theatre in Dunedin. The Government will work with Creative NZ, the Dunedin City Council, the theatre community and others to build a new model.

In Christchurch, the Court The atre was moved out of the central city after the earthquakes damaged the Arts Centre and surrounding buildings. It is now in Addington and seems to be working well. A report says returning the theatre to the central city is too expensive, although supporters of the Court see its move back as a musthave project.

There is an element of where to now for the Fortune. The building on the corner of Moray Pl and Stuart St dates back to 1869 and is a beautiful and historic former Trinity Methodist Church.

Mrs van Leeuwen says the board looked at many different avenues to avert closure. However, theatres and their audiences have changed over the years and the board must take stock, with the goal of keeping local professional theatre alive in Dunedin.

The DCC has an obligation to step up and help, and time is of the essence. Professional theatre is not for everyone but it is an important component for a vibrant city like Dunedin, a Unescodesignated City of Literature.

The city has the country’s fastest internet, the only covered rugby stadium in the country — which also attracts top entertainment acts from around the world — a top university and a business community which is the envy of many because of its deeprooted strength saving it from volatility suffered in other main centres.

Professional theatre is more than a nicetohave project. It is an essential part of the city’s fabric and must be maintained.

There may be options. The Fortune could join with another organisation to share the costs of a theatre’s maintenance.

City councillors have already given unanimous support to a plan that could result in Sammy’s being added to the stable of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML). The support came despite concerns from some councillors about the potential multimilliondollar cost.

The council’s community and culture committee also decided any decision on the exact use of the venue will not be made until the public has had its say.

In February last year, the council announced it had bought the 121yearold building for $128,000.

Combining the Fortune into Sammy’s and using the expertise of DVML to help with the promotion and attraction of both live theatre and patrons should not be dismissed out of hand.