Preliminary plans for the $9.8 million Regent Theatre upgrade are expected next week.
Otago Theatre Trust chairwoman Bronwyn Powell said theatre consultants Shand Shelton, of Wellington, were in Dunedin last week finalising their initial report on the project which will include modernising the counterweight system used for raisingand lowering scenery.
Earlier this year, the Royal New Zealand Ballet expressed concern about staging difficulties at the theatre, suggesting that some ballets with complex sets would not be staged there in future if the counterweight system was not upgraded. For lavish productions, the corps has had to reconfigure productions to fit the theatre facilities, a costly exercise which has meant Dunedin audiences have seen a fraction of the scenery.
Once the report is received, the trust will launch a major fundraising campaign for the work.
This Saturday, between 10am and 1pm, the theatre will be open to the public for viewing of the $2.4 million redevelopment completed earlier this year.
This included much-needed new toilets, painting and patching of the building's facade, and redeveloped meeting and administration rooms.
Ms Powell said those visiting on Saturday would be told about the plans, which would also cover replacing the 77-year-old auditorium seating and increasing dressing room space.
Commenting on the Dunedin City Council's move to consider the theatre needs of the community, Ms Powell said she believed there was a need for a well set-up mid-sized theatre in the city seating between 300 and 400 people. The Regent, which will seat around 1760 when the redevelopment is completed, was not suitable for every show.
