The beginning of a big year...

Happy New Year and welcome to the Ghost Light. We apologise for the break in service, we’ll ensure the updates come more regularly as the project to restore the Theatre Royal to (better) than its former glory and build a new museum to protect and share our local history gathers pace over the next few months.

You can get this update through our usual channels or you can subscribe to get it straight to your inbox.

Laneway begins to take shape

If you’re walking past the Stafford Street site you can begin to see the topography of the new laneway beginning to take shape.

This new public space will provide a connection between Barnard Street, which has lots of parking, and Stafford Street. It also doubles as an improved access for the theatre loading dock for when shows are packing in and out. It’s hoped that the new space will encourage development on the opposite side from the theatre.

A look to the past for modern colour scheme

One of the major changes you’ll experience when you go back for your first show at the theatre will be a whole new interior colour scheme for the auditorium, bringing a fresh new look while preserving the heritage value by providing some nods to the theatre’s original colour scheme.

The walls will now be a dark navy, with the details such as the circle and boxes in a slightly less dark shade with gold accents, and the proscenium arch being a light shade of blue in keeping with other theatres of its age.

This colour scheme will be carried into the new extensions to the building, with the new bar areas having a traditional, but contemporary look.

Take a fly through

If you’ve not had a chance to do so yet, take a look at the flythrough that has been produced by our architects. It gives you good insight into how all the spaces will look and more importantly how they’ll all work together to create a new cultural precinct. It’s available on youtube if you click the image below:

Programme Updates

On Track and On Budget

• The project remains on programme, with all major milestones achieved and current cost estimates showing the project is on budget.
• Civil works are well progressed.
• The internal strip-out of the theatre (ceilings, floors, internal walls) has been completed, marking a significant milestone.
• The team should be on track to announce the main contractor for the construction part of the contract in the next month.