Editorial: Arts' push for more venues a tad precious

The new Q Theatre under construction. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Does Auckland need more venues for live drama, music and dance? A report for the Super City counts nine professional performing arts venues in the central city and six in other parts of the city. In addition there are 17 small- or medium-sized venues for community drama groups and the like.

Another is about to open. The Q Theatre has been equipped with 460 seats to "fill a gap" between the 448-seat Maidment Theatre and larger venues. Size seems to matter very precisely in the performing arts. Aucklanders have been hearing for many years that they need a 600-seat venue to fill another gap.

If they live on the North Shore they might wonder why they need this. Citizens on the Shore have already paid for the fine Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna that can operate in a 600-seat mode as well as its 1164-seat capacity. Movie-goers often drive across the bridge. It is not clear why drama crowds would find it too difficult.

Yet it seems to be out of the question for the newly united Auckland Council and its theatre consultants Horwath HTL Ltd. Its study of options for new venues has been tightly focused on the city centre. Facilities such as the Mason and the Genesis Energy Theatre in Manukau are mentioned only in passing.

The council's interest is focused mainly on a proposal for a 600-seat theatre in the Wynyard Quarter development on the waterfront. This could be an exciting idea if it was the basis of an "iconic" building on the promontory of the present Tank Farm, but it is not. The proposed theatre would be incorporated into the ASB Bank development on Jellicoe St. The bank is offering $6 million of the $41 million it would cost.

Principally, it would be a long-awaited home for Auckland's leading troupe, the Auckland Theatre Company, which is seeking $10 million from the council. The rest the actors hope to raise in sponsorship and donations. The operating income remains doubtful but otherwise it is an attractive proposition that would contribute to the life of the redeveloped waterfront by incorporating bars, cafes, restaurants and an outdoor stage as well as the theatre.

Sadly, the council and its consultants are not showing as much interest in the restoration of the St James Theatre in Queen St, a grand but rapidly rotting treasure with a capacity of 1400 seats that would surely suit opera and ballet. The consultants fear it would draw events away from the Aotea Centre and The Civic. The St James' fate depends on the Government accepting a proposal to establish Auckland's international convention centre next to the Aotea Centre, incorporating that auditory disappointment.

The consultants have advised the council to give the Wynyard Quarter proposal priority despite its uncertain operating economics. They also think the council should help the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra buy the Mercury Theatre as a rehearsal venue as well as a heritage building, and suggest it keep "a watching brief" on the St James.

Maybe a Super City cannot have too many theatres for drama, opera, its orchestra, ballet and film festivals but the council is right to tread carefully. It has put off the Horwath report for further consideration. Council members should ask why the performing arts need so many venues of such precise capacity. Philistines can enjoy their entertainments in venues less than full.

Council members from wards that already have underused public theatres should also question the blinkered focus on the centre. Auckland is a united city now, and needs a revitalised centre. But it should not ignore public investments anywhere in the metropolitan area. The performing arts should widen their horizons and get out more.