We understand that the Overseas’ Terminal building will become apartments on the upper level, which is fabulous to those who want a waterfront property in a building that was nearly obsolete by the time construction finished in 1964. But Wellington seems to be missing a mid-sized music venue, one around the size of the Terminal. Do we need one, and, if so, where could it be located? And could this help revitalize another part of our city? Your thoughts are welcome.
Aotearoa · arts · culture · entertainment · music · New Zealand · Overseas’ Terminal · Wellington · Whanganui-a-Tara
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Robert Catto · 2009/08/25 at 14:58
This has been an obvious gap for years – there’s nothing between 300 seats (Ilott / Downstage / Circa / Soundings Theatre) and 1500+ (Opera House / St James / Town Hall / MFC), apart from Te Whaea’s theatre in Newtown and the Paramount or Embassy cinemas, neither of which are set up for theatre / music performance really. Unfortunately, from a marketing perspective, the theatre at Te Whaea isn’t taken seriously as a venue – and the location does sorta rule it out from serious consideration for most professional productions. This is, of course, why the NZ Int’l Arts Festival creates its own venues of that size – the Festival Club tent and Shed 6 in recent years.
I understood that the NZ School of Music building was, in theory, supposed to incorporate a ~500 seat auditorium, though – which would be situated on Civic Square (though I think it’s a shame to miss the opportunity to create a national school of music, theatre and dance in Newtown, I have to say!).
R
Admin comment by Jack Yan · 2009/08/25 at 16:41
Robert, excellent feedback. I think Wellington needs to examine this seriously, and find the space in the city that makes it appealing to citizens. Newtown wouldn’t be totally out of consideration, in my view: the suburb is growing again both commercially and culturally. Though I have to confess I would lean more to the city, too.