Opera House shut but celebration will go on

The guest of honour's doors will be closed while the community celebrates her 100th birthday.

As the district prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hawke's Bay Opera House, the "Grand Old Lady" will not be at her own party.

With her doors closed for earthquake proofing, the Hastings District Council (HDC) has instead opted to install art on the fence that encases the building.

"A family-focused celebration with an early 1900s theme and the unveiling of the art will be held on Sunday, October 18, the exact day of the first performance 100 years earlier," a council spokesperson said.

Councillor Wayne Bradshaw is questioning the move.

"It is awfully difficult to celebrate something that no one can access," he said.

"It is a unique situation where it hasn't been accessible to the public for quite some time now."

He asked whether it would be better to save the money and celebrate the landmark's 101st anniversary.

"Wouldn't that be better? Then you kick-start the whole thing off and and move on and create the next 100 years."

Festivities at this month's event will be enjoyed by the public in Opera House Plaza and the street from 11am to 2pm.

Deputy mayor Cynthia Bowers said given the place of the opera house in the district's history, some way needed to be found to mark the centenary.

"The opera house is treasured by many in our community and this is a fabulous way to celebrate its birthday," she said.

"Despite the current uncertainty around its future direction, 100 years of great performances and memories can't be allowed to slip by unmarked."

Councillor Bradshaw also questioned the party's price tag, which sits at $55,000.

"The wooden fence alone is about $30,000 but if you add the art work it is another $50-60,000 from what I have heard."

The council defended this $55,000 spend, which sees $30,000 spent on printing costs and a $25,000 stipend for the artists.

"[We are] very lucky that the artists are being so very generous with their time and skills," the spokesperson said. "The amount they are receiving in no way reflects their skills, what they would normally receive for a commissioned work especially of this size, or their time."

Works by the 10 artists' each represent a decade of the 100 years, while the 11th artist's works covers special highlights.

The work on the fence will be digital copies of the originals.

The artists, all nationally notable, include Martin Popplewell, Freeman White, John Eaden and Kate MacKenzie.

"They are fantastic art works that bring alive some of the special performances and activities that have taken place at the Opera House between 1915 and 2015," said Ms Bowers.

Mr Bradshaw said the community should have been consulted on how to celebrate.

"Get some ideas from the public rather than have the council be the only curator of any ideas.

"It is the community's asset so lets ask them how they would like to celebrate it."

The celebrations will feature children's games from yesteryear, vintage cars, black and white movies and music by The Dixielanders.

The road will be closed for the celebrations, which will also allow people to take a close look at the 11 panels spanning the 103m of fence.