redevelopment

PHOTO: THE GISBORNE HERALD

From War time to ShoW time.There is no doubt that the War Memorial Theatre holds a special place in the hearts and memories of the community of Gisborne.

Originally built in 1957 by the RSA, the War Memorial Hall as it was then known played host to countless dances, concerts, balls and even a wedding or two.

At this time Gisborne was a show town boasting no less than three picture houses as well as a theatre in the form of the Opera House.

However, in the mid 1960’s as television took over it was inevitable that tastes would change – and they did.

3PHOTO: THE GISBORNE HERALD

meSSage From patron dame Kiri te KanaWa“Over the years I have been involved with many organisations all around the world but to be honoured in this way with a wonderful Gisborne based project is very special. I have many happy memories of my early life in Gisborne and then later with the Waihirere Maori Club in London for my 50th birthday and at the Millennium Concert.”

“Providing a community asset of this size and complexity will only be possible with considerable effort from the Gisborne community. I have reviewed the plans for the theatre and am sure it will be a catalyst to inspire young talented singers, actors and musicians to seriously consider careers in these art forms. I applaud the efforts of the Gisborne District Council getting the project to this stage and wish everybody my best wishes for a successful campaign to make this a first class theatre for all.”

PHO

TO:

THE

GIS

BORN

E H

ERAL

D

From rocK & roll to opera. By 1968 Gisborne had lost its Opera House to the wrecking ball. Dances were on the decline and as audiences dwindled the future of the War Memorial Hall was uncertain.

Luckily, in 1973 a reprieve came. The community realised that it needed a theatre. A committee was formed and fundraising began to convert the War Memorial Hall into a theatre.

By 1975 the work was completed and the War Memorial Theatre that we see today was born.

The War Memorial Theatre is now recognised as the ‘only theatre suitable for large scale productions’ in Gisborne. However, after nearly 40 years and countless performances, time is catching up.

The roof leaks, the dressing rooms are poor, the seats are uncomfortable, the foyer is tiny, the stage is too small and the building is in need of urgent attention if it is to continue to serve the community.

PHOTO: THE GISBORNE HERALD PHOTO: THE GISBORNE HERALD

5

THEATRE DESIGNS: SHAND SHELTON

Every area of the current building will be upgraded and fully earthquake strengthened to create a modern, safe, functional theatre. The existing building will be enhanced by a new fly-tower and glass foyer area designed to create an up-to-date feel whilst retaining the iconic modernist design. The stage will be bigger and the auditorium remodelled to seat up to 550. Backstage a new scene dock, fly-rigging and additional dressing rooms will bring bigger, more technical shows to Gisborne. In the foyer a cafe/bar will add to the modern, comfortable surroundings and create the best possible theatre experience. However, the War Memorial Theatre is first and foremost a community venue. Our community theatre, dance and music groups will be able to stage their shows in modern up-to-date facilities. The final cost is approximately $7.5m.

the time haS come For an upgrade.

7

deSign conceptS

ground Floor

FirSt Floor

auditorium

FoyerM

Toilets

Scene Dock

Stage House

Auditorium

Store

Tickets

Dressing

Dressing

Toilets

VIP

WC

WC

VIP

VIP VIP

Dressing

Dressing

Dressing

Green R

oom

Dressing

Laundry

Rehearsal

Piano

Hall

F ToiletsKitchen

Bar

Flying System

Orchestra PitLevel 3, The O

pera House, 111-113 M

anners StPO

Box 27-478, Marion Square, W

ellington 6011N

ew Zealand

T. 04 801 5170 E. reception@shandshelton.co.nz

Revision N

ote:

Draw

ing:

Date:

Sheet No:

Revision:

CO

NTR

ACTO

R M

UST VER

IFY ALL DIM

ENSIO

NS O

NTH

E JOB BEFO

RE C

OM

MEN

CN

G W

OR

K.D

O N

OT SC

ALEC

OPYR

IGH

T ON

THIS D

RAW

ING

IS RESER

VED

Draw

n Scale:

Draw

n by:Job N

umber:

Design By:

Project Nam

e:

RS

1 : 200

A-2.0413-06-2012

Ground Floor Plan

Gisborne D

istrict War M

emorial H

all

Resource C

onsentW

MT

Option 6 R

esource Consent

5

AuditoriumStage H

ouse

Foyer (Void)

Foyer (1st Floor)

Office

Scene Dock

Plant

Mezz Storage

Fly floor

Fly floor

Dim

mer

Store

Level 3, The Opera H

ouse, 111-113 Manners St

PO Box 27-478, M

arion Square, Wellington 6011

New

ZealandT. 04 801 5170 E. reception@

shandshelton.co.nz

Revision N

ote:

Draw

ing:

Date:

Sheet No:

Revision:

CO

NTR

ACTO

R M

UST VER

IFY ALL DIM

ENSIO

NS O

NTH

E JOB BEFO

RE C

OM

MEN

CN

G W

OR

K.D

O N

OT SC

ALEC

OPYR

IGH

T ON

THIS D

RAW

ING

IS RESER

VED

Draw

n Scale:

Draw

n by:Job N

umber:

Design By:

Project Nam

e:

RS

1 : 200

A-2.0513-06-2012

First Floor Plan

Gisborne D

istrict War M

emorial H

all

Resource C

onsentW

MT

Option 6 R

esource Consent

5

FoYer

auditorium

FoYer

THEA

TRE

DES

IGN

: SH

AND

SH

ELTO

N

THEATRE DESIGN/PLANS: SHAND SHELTON

The upgraded War Memorial Theatre will be a wonderful facility that Gisborne can be proud of. One which we hope will continue to hold its special place in the hearts as well as the memories of the community for many years to come. Your donation to the upgrade of the War Memorial Theatre is an investment in our community and to ensuring that ‘the show will go on’ for the War Memorial Theatre. There are many ways you can support this wonderful facility.

the ShoW Will go on.

9

1. naming rightSFor our major sponsors we are offering naming rights to the following:• Main Auditorium• Foyer• Field of Poppies Lighting Feature

2. major giFtSplatinum – donors of $15,000 and abovegold – donors of $10,000 to $14,999Silver – donors of $5,000 to $9999Other donations (non-specified amount)

3. a “Seat in hiStorY”

An opportunity to purchase inscribed seat plaques at $250 each.

4. communitY FundraiSing

Fundraising initiatives driven by the wider community.

SponSorShip optionS

The War Memorial Theatre Gisborne Trust has been tasked with the major responsibility to raise funds for the redevelopment.

The Gisborne District Council has already committed $2.15m towards the redevelopment. However, they will not be in a position to call for tenders until most of the remaining funds are raised, creating a risk of the cost to build escalating beyond $7.5m.

To minimise this we would like to raise the remaining $5.35m as quickly as possible.

There is also a more urgent need. The War Memorial Theatre is facing a crisis and may be forced to close if it is not upgraded soon. If this were to happen Gisborne would lose its main theatre and this would be a huge loss to the community.

Funding targetS.

11PHOTO: THE GISBORNE HERALDTHEATRE DESIGN: SHAND SHELTON

War Memorial Theatre Gisborne TrustChair: Pat Seymour obe 06 862 2697Shona Egan 06 868 9393Bronwen Holdsworth onzm 06 867 8582Tina Karaitiana 06 867 2592John Logan 06 868 8266Gavin Maclean qsm 06 867 4939 Anne Muir 06 868 4535Rehette Stoltz 06 868 5382

Reg Charity CC47698

For more information contact Pat Seymour obetel: 06 862 2697

email: pnseymour@xtra.co.nzemail: wmt@gdc.govt.nzweb: www.gdc.govt.nz