Music party to raise awareness for St James Theatre

View from back row, top level mezzanine floor of the historic St James Theatre. Photo / Nick Reed

A music party is being organised at the historic St James Theatre on Friday to raise awareness about restoring the Queen St landmark.

The theatre is closing in March and local MPs Jacinda Ardern and Nikki Kaye are keen to ensure the doors stay open once a new apartment tower alongside the theatre is built.

Auckland Council has agreed to pay $15 million towards the $60 million to $70 million of restoring the theatre, but more funds are needed to assure its future.

Labour list MP Jacinda Adern is an avid supporter of the restoration campaign and has suggested the Government could work alongside the owners to help find solutions to the funding shortfall.

"Auckland Council is to be congratulated on the work it has done to save this heritage building, but it can't do it alone," Ms Ardern says.

"The St James deserves to be preserved. It holds a special place in many Aucklanders' memories. We need further financial support, before we lose this beautiful building and the team putting it together. There are creative solutions out there, we just need to work together to find them, and fast," she said.

Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye has also confirmed her support for the project: "I'm a big supporter of ensuring that the St James Theatre has the investment it needs as one of the true jewels of our city."

She has arranged a meeting with Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry in the New Year to discuss the project.

The MPs have been liaising with Steve Bielby of the company building the apartment tower and the trust structure to restore the theatre.

The Save Our St James party is by invitation and includes entertainment from Tina Turntables, Hopetown Brown, Tami Nelson, Lawrence Arabia with Strings, VOOM and special guests.