Fix up sounds good

After two decades of questionable performances, theatre-goers are pleased to hear the main auditorium in the Aotea Centre will have an internal refit. Joanna Davies reports.
James Wenley waits on the steps outside the Aotea Centre and admires the view of the square.
The building's rather dull exterior was renovated last year.
A cafe was added and metal and glass beams installed to make the entrance of one of the city's main performance venues more inviting.
But within, the centre's main auditorium, the ASB Theatre, has not had a facelift in 20 years and it shows.
"It does look dreary inside, and it lacks the charm that some older theatres have," says Mr Wenley. "But as a place to perform as an actor, it is a great venue. It's got good spaces behind the stage and good dressing rooms ... but, for the audience, the theatre does have some issues."
Mr Wenley, who has performed here with Auckland Children's Musical Theatre, is now a theatre director. He says the auditorium needs a fix up to become a world-class venue.
"There was a lot of criticism of the theatre when Sir Ian McKellen acted in King Lear in 2007. The acoustics aren't great, and it can be hard to hear in some seats."
The Epsom resident hopes a renovation will bring the venue back up to standard.
Auckland Council plans an $11.9 million refurbishment, which will include new seats, carpets and acoustic surfaces.
Heating, air conditioning and ventilation will also be upgraded and energy-efficient theatre lights will be installed.
The funding was written into budgets in the former Auckland City Council's long-term community plan, which carries over to the new council budgets.
John Brockies, chief executive of Regional Facilities Auckland, says the upgrade will be a big benefit to the centre.
"We're looking forward to having a much more comfortable place for patrons to visit for a whole range of events in the coming years."
Work will start in November and continue until the centre's quiet period in March next year.
More work will be carried out over the Christmas period of 2012.
Mr Wenley says the work is necessary to draw big international shows.
"I think the acoustics have put people off using the venue in the past, but it has the advantage of being a huge space with great sight lines. New seating and carpet will definitely help but, if they can fix the acoustics, it will become a really great venue."
Centre of attention
Construction began on the Aotea Centre in 1985, and was completed in 1990. The building was opened by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on September 9 of that year. The 2256-seat ASB Theatre is the Auckland base for the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the NBR New Zealand Opera.