Review gives new hope for decaying theatre

St James Theatre mezzanine. Photo / Supplied

The potential refurbishment of the St James Theatre - once one of Auckland's premier venues, but now sliding into decay - has received a boost from Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

Mr Brown has commissioned an update of a 2008 study into the city's theatre needs.

The study by consultants Horwath HTL, commissioned by the old Auckland City Council, concluded that there was "an urgent and high-priority need for a 250-350 seat flexiform theatre and a 500-600 seat drama theatre".

Since 2008, several factors have changed in the Auckland theatre scene, including efforts to save the St James, which has been closed since a fire in 2007 and is listed by the Historic Places Trust as category one.

Last year, SPCA executive director Bob Kerridge started the lobby group St James Saviours and four months ago, the Herald ran a campaign to save the 1928 ornate Spanish colonial-style building once considered so beautiful that the man who commissioned it, Sir Benjamin Fuller, pronounced it "the theatre perfect".

Last night, Mr Kerridge welcomed Mayor Brown's decision to update the 2008 study, which he expected to take a fresh look at the costs and likely needs for the historic theatre.

"I know he is very keen to see the St James refurbished back to its former glory," Mr Kerridge said.

The future of the St James is tied to a proposal for a national convention centre being weighed up by the Government.

Auckland Council's The Edge is one of five contenders for the centre, which could cost between $200 million and $500 million.

Under The Edge's plan, the St James would become the main venue for theatre, opera and ballet instead of the Aotea Centre, which would be incorporated into a new convention and exhibition centre.

Mr Brown said the study would identify the need and market demand for professional performing arts venues in Auckland and help to guide and prioritise the council's provision and investments in such venues over the next 10 to 15 years.

As well as the St James, the council has been approached to support plans by the Auckland Theatre Company for a $35 million, 600-seat theatre alongside the ASB Bank's proposed headquarters at the Tank Farm and refurbishment of the former Mercury Theatre.

The $21 million Q Theatre project, set to open in September with seating for 350 to 460 people, resolves the flexiform theatre problem identified in the 2008 study.

Auckland Theatre Company general manager Lester McGrath said it was timely to review Auckland's theatre needs given changes since 2008 such as the discussions about the St James and the loss of the 700-seat SkyCity Theatre for the performing arts.

Mr McGrath said the city's leading theatre company needed some certainty because work was due to begin on the ASB building in the next few months.

The Auckland-wide update of the 2008 study is part of Mr Brown's "100 projects in 100 days" programme.

It will be carried out by Horwath, which specialises in the hotel, tourism and leisure sectors, and is due for completion by the end of next month.