Theatre North's Sarah Courtney and Mandy Shepherd discuss the refurbishments coming to the Princess Theatre. Video by Aaron Smith (4/4/24)
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 We're really excited by the redevelopment that the City of Launceston has committed to for this facility.
00:05 This is a grand theatre but we know that many of the facilities are really out of date,
00:11 particularly for things like disability access, making sure that areas are safe and welcoming.
00:18 And so we're really excited about the upgrades that are going to occur here.
00:22 It means that we're going to be able to showcase more things and be able to allow and open our arms
00:28 for more performers to be able to participate here.
00:31 So look, it's really exciting. It's not going to be without its challenges because
00:35 we know in any construction project that there are a lot of challenges that need to be overcome,
00:41 particularly in old buildings. So we're working really closely with the Council
00:45 to try and smooth that period of time. And what we're going to be doing is looking at how we can
00:50 activate other spaces around the city to make sure that we can continue to provide content
00:58 for our audiences, but also to make sure that artists still have the opportunity to perform
01:03 when this theatre is dark during the redevelopment.
01:05 I think these refurbishments that are coming up are going to future-proof this beautiful venue
01:09 for generations to come because the expectations of our society have changed over the years,
01:14 not only since this place was built in 1911, but just over the more recent decades.
01:18 It's no longer acceptable for people to say, "Look, it's an old venue. I'm sorry. It is what it is."
01:24 And I think it's really important that Council is recognising that this place needs to be open
01:28 and available and welcoming to more people in the community. At the moment, it's really difficult
01:32 for any performer with any kind of physical disability to get in through the back door and
01:37 down the steps and into the bathrooms, et cetera. So it's quite restrictive in that way.
01:42 Same for our audiences out the front. There are a lot of stairs. Having access to the circle,
01:47 having access to the dressing rooms, facilitating a more welcoming and open use of the venue,
01:53 I think is really important, not only exciting, but really necessary.
01:57 Thank you.