$3M Refit for Geelong's Performing Arts Flagship
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ON STAGE The Autumn 2010 newsletter of Vol.11 No.2 $3m refit for Geelong’s performing arts flagship Frank Van Straten finds these are exciting times for Victoria’s second city. t last, we’re on our way,’ says which will open the refurbished theatre on balcony, is a closely guarded secret, Jill Smith, gazing at the 12 May. although Peter Woolard has hinted at a Aworkmen busily ripping out the ‘We’ll have a vastly improved auditorium clean, modern, dramatic interior. seating in Geelong’s Ford Theatre. and stage, and a new name, too. The Ford Local firms are playing a vital role in Jill, general manager of the Geelong Theatre will become the Playhouse.’ the refurbishment. The new Australian- Performing Arts Centre, is overseeing a The 800-seat Ford, a reworking of the designed seating will be covered in fabric major upgrade of the city’s principal live old Plaza Theatre, opened in 1981. woven locally by Geelong Textile. Another venue. The first stage of a planned bold ‘Thirty years is a long time without an local firm, Mill Direct, has sourced the redevelopment of the centre, the $3 million upgrade,’ says Jill. ‘It was really on its last timber finishes for the walls and balcony project has been developed by Peter legs. It would only have lasted another five front, which will enhance the theatre’s Woolard of Geelong-based Studio 101 years or so.’ acoustics. There will be a handsome new Architects. Despite his impressive portfolio, The overhaul is partly aesthetic, partly house curtain and new carpets supplied by this is Peter’s first theatre project. practical and partly technical. Geelong firm Godfrey Hurst. Auditorium ‘We’re on a pretty tight schedule,’ says The final design of the auditorium, lighting and cabling will be upgraded and Jill. ‘We started mid-February and we’ve got which still retains the original Plaza disabled access in the stalls will be brought to be ready for Tony Briggs’ The Sapphires, up to modern standards. * Outdated technical infrastructure is function rooms, performance and creative ‘Geelong’s not really a regional centre contribute $2 for every $1 raised by the centre was formally opened by Premier the Australian Ballet, Bangarra, and the being replaced, including speaker rigging spaces and specialised retail outlets. The any more,’ says Jill. ‘Geelong and its local community. Eventually individuals Rupert Hamer. country’s major theatre companies. Many systems, audio visual cabling and upgrades Little Malop Street end of the building— surrounds are Victoria’s second city—larger and businesses raised $800 000. In the ensuing years, the centre has are remembered in a huge collection of to radio microphone systems. There will now the main entrance—would feature an than Darwin and Hobart. There are around The Plaza closed in November 1977 hosted a vast number of shows, and the list autographed posters that adorn the theatres’ also be a new dedicated digital projector expanded Blakiston Drama Theatre with 270 000 people living in the area now, and with a variety presentation, A Night of of star performers is dazzling: Peter Allen, backstage walls. and vision switching system. 500 seats. This would share a large it’s estimated that this will grow to 500 000 Nostalgia. Three years and $7.8 million Billy Connolly, Jose Feliciano, Eartha Kitt, The Ford also helped launched the Looking forward backstage area with the Playhouse. by 2040.’ later, the new centre, with its Ford and Roy Orbison, Slim Whitman, Spike careers of Guy Pearce, Rachel Griffiths and Additional flexible performance spaces Blakiston Theatres, was ready. The Plaza’s Milligan, Rolf Harris, Ronnie Corbett, Slim operatic duo Peter Coleman-Wright and ‘We’re working to a $500 000 master plan Looking back catering for smaller scale productions proscenium arch, balcony and much of the Dusty, John Farnham, Dame Edna, Toni Cheryl Barker. developed for the state government and the The history of the Geelong Performing Arts would be included on land adjacent to the auditorium were recycled for the Ford. Lamond, Marina Prior, Robyn Archer, City of Greater Geelong in 2006-07,’ says Centre stretches back to 1856 when a main building. There would be improved On 27 April 1981, during a concert by the James Morrison, Don Burrows, Joe Link: www.gpac.org.au Jill Smith. Mechanics’ Institute Library opened in Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Camilleri, Derek Jacobi, Ian Richardson, With thanks to Jill Smith and Robert Foster. She emphasises that the current upgrade stage access and enhanced outdoor areas, Ryrie Street. A concert hall was added is only the first part of a grand plan to including food and beverage services. shortly after. In the 1920s, after the Geelong Performing Arts Centre redevelop not just the entire centre, but the There will also be upgrades and building was badly damaged by fire, the Geelong Performing Arts Centre operates under the Geelong operating income from non-government sources and delivered cultural facilities in the surrounding precinct redevelopments for Courthouse Arts and hall was rebuilt as the 950-seat Plaza Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980. It is one of the Victorian a $33 792 profit for the year. as well. Back to Back Theatre’s headquarters, which Theatre. It functioned as a cinema and as government’s seven cultural institutions (the others are the Arts Names for the centre’s venues reflect original major The GPAC development envisages an are next door to the Old Courthouse live venue, catering for a steady stream of Centre, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Museum corporate support: The main theatre was originally named eventual major realignment of the centre’s Building in Little Malop Street, and the local amateur groups and smaller live Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, State Library of Victoria and after former major sponsor, the Ford Motor Company. The cultural facilities and venues. This includes a Library and Heritage Centre, Geelong Art touring attractions. Chrissy Amphlett and the Public Record Office of Victoria). second theatre was named after Blakistons, a local transport new main entry from Ryrie Street, utilising Gallery and Johnstone Park, which are on Barry Crocker got their start there. The Centre, which also runs the Deakin University’s 1500-seat company; the main foyer after Shell Petroleum; and the the original Plaza Theatre entrance; it and the opposite side of the street—all part of In the late 1960s, with local pressure concert venue, Costa Hall, operates under a government-appointed courtyard after Alcoa Aluminium. However, as these contracts the adjacent 1857 Steeples church building, the Geelong Future Cities project, a state building for a Geelong performing arts board. Total attendances for 2008–09 were 147 000 for GPAC and have expired, GPAC is seeking new sponsors for the naming would be transformed into teaching studios, and local governments’ initiative. centre, the state government agreed to 69 498 for Costa Hall. The centre derived 75 per cent of its rights of the redeveloped spaces. Page 1: The centre’s present main entrance on Little Malop Street. Page 2, clockwise from top left: A full house at the Plaza, c. 1970. The last night of the old Plaza Theatre, November 1977. .Demolishing the Plaza, 1978 Page 3, clockwise from left: Refurbishing work in progress on the stage of GPAC’s Playhouse , formerly the Ford Theatre. The old Mechanics’ Institute, Ryrie Street. Jill Smith, general manager, Geelong Performing Arts Centre. The Ford Theatre auditorium before the present refurbishment. Contemporary images: Frank Van Straten; other images courtesy of GPAC. n Page 2 ON STAGE Autumn 2010 Page 3 High note for noted mezzo The boys from Jersey and the lady from A glittering 50 year career is honoured in the Green Room Awards. Mtsensk go gloriously Green ne of Australia’s greatest singers, early training and her first chance to sing on Theatre Heritage Australia congratulates all recipients of the Green Room Awards for 2009. Lauris Elms AM, OBE, Hon D Mus the grand opera stage. O(Sydney) was the recipient of this In turn this led to an impressive concert t a well-attended ceremony at Female Supporting Performer: Rebekah A Streetcar Named Desire. year’s Green Room Awards’ Lifetime and operatic career that took her to starring the Playhouse at the Arts Stone: August: Osage County. Supporting Male: Stuart Skelton—A Achievement Award. The honour recognised roles at Covent Garden as well as enormous ACentre on 15 March 2010, the Male Supporting Performer: Ashley Streetcar Named Desire. a glittering 50-year career in which she sang successes with the Australian Opera. Green Room Awards Association presented Zukerman: B.C. Conductor: Sir Richard Armstrong—Lady for the Queen at Covent Garden and at the Her phenomenal vocal range and its 2009 awards commemorating excellence Set Design: Hossein Valamanesh—When the Macbeth of Mtsensk. opening of the Sydney Opera House. flexibility, her wonderful sense of colour and in Melbourne theatre. Rain Stops Falling. Set/Costume Design: Hildegard Bechtler The award presentation was a highlight her ability to ‘become’ a character made her Jersey Boys was the big winner in the Composition/Sound: Mark Jones and and Tess Schofield—Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. of the Green Room ceremony at the Arts performances in Samson et Delilah, Carmen, hotly contested Music Theatre category, Jethro Woodward—Goodbye Vaudeville Lighting: Jean Kalman—Lady Macbeth Centre Playhouse on 15 March. There was a Il Trovatore and The Barber of Seville treasured winning seven awards including Best Charlie Mudd. of Mtsensk. reception for Lauris’s colleagues, family and memories internationally. Production, while Opera Australia’s Lady Lighting: Niklas Pajanti—When the Rain New Work: Andrew Ford and Sue Smith— friends at the Arts Centre the following day.