In my experience, there are few performance spaces in New Zealand which offer the combined beauty (both inside and out), and sound quality of the Hawke's Bay Opera House (the only other I can think of in a similar quality being the theatre in Invercargill). Both the beautiful interiors and the superb acoustics are in my view simply unmatched by the majority of the other smaller theatres in New Zealand. Many centres do not even have a theatre as such, merely converted hall spaces or large churches. In my humble view, even the Aotea Centre in Auckland does not match the experience and the richness of sound that the Hastings theatre is able to produce.
As a performer (especially in opera where microphones are not used) this is immediately obvious and the shape and design of the theatre make it a joy to perform in and also an intimate experience for audience members.
By comparison the theatre located in Napier simply doesn't match up to the quality of the Hastings theatre from a musical standpoint. This was all too apparent in a recent production I saw there, where I found the voices of the various singers on stage sometimes lost beneath the orchestra.
As I know the quality of these singers, I know this was not due on any part to their technical ability but the theatre not being designed to accommodate the delicate balance between the singers lighter notes and the sound of a full orchestra. While it is a beautiful example of Art Deco style, it is simply not an "opera house". To my knowledge there are no other performance venues in Hawke's Bay for larger theatrical works and the Hastings community (and Hawke's Bay as a whole) would be vastly disadvantaged were we to lose this facility.
After attending several events at Art Deco and seeing the huge uptake of events during this festival and the interest in "all things Deco", I'm also surprised that we would even consider rebuilding a new facility. Built in 1915, the extravagant art nouveau decor on the interior of the theatre is a beautiful example of the era (art nouveau and art deco being intimately related in terms of time period, and similar artistic themes with Art Deco being the reformed form of Art Nouveau). The Spanish Mission exterior also adds architectural interest. We should be preserving this artistic heritage right at a time when it is proving more and more popular, not just nationally but internationally.
In the "Our Cultural Heart" promotional material, you note that it would be difficult to modify the Opera House for a different use though I can't see why a theatre would need one. They don't hold conferences at The Met or La Scala after all.
I have however attended several school balls, choir festivals, and rehearsals in the Municipal Building though and I believe this facility could definitely evolve to include other uses. An office space would, in my view, be a boring alternative however I'm not averse to the idea of a hotel provided it kept in line with the art nouveau/vintage aesthetic (similar to The Masonic in Napier).
I think this could be an attractive alternative for tourists whose options for upmarket accommodation in Hastings are slim (especially by comparison to Havelock North or Napier).
In conclusion, to demolish or replace this grand old dame of Hawke's Bay history would be an absolute tragedy and a huge loss to our local heritage and I fully support the council in investing the money to strengthen these iconic buildings.
- Jessie Graham was born and bred in Hastings. She has spent the last decade as a professional performer in opera, musical theatre and drama, both in New Zealand and overseas.
- Views expressed here are the writer's opinion and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz
