Keeping the magic of the opera house
Published on 07 July 2023
Shand Shelton theatre consultant, Phil Conroy, with the carbon arc followspot
Specialist theatre consultants, Shand Shelton, are working on a feasibility study looking at how to make the Royal Whanganui Opera House into a safer and more functional theatre that meets the needs of the community and hirers into the future.
Whanganui District Council’s general manager community and customer experience, Marianne Cavanagh, says the work has come about because of a Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) review commissioned by the council.
“We were aware the theatre’s rigging system needed to be replaced and had budgeted for that but when we received the CHASNZ review in January we knew we had to act immediately to address safety concerns – fortunately we were able to do this in a way that allowed ‘the show to go on’,” Marianne Cavanagh says.
The report identified structural issues with the building (especially for the upper floor of the opera house), fire risk, and issues with electrical systems and equipment maintenance.
Since January the council has carried out work to reduce the risk, closing the upper level to the public, installing scaffolding around the perimeter of the stage to support the upper level, engaging electricians to test and tag equipment and remove anything dangerous, clearing out stored items to reduce the fire risk and rolling out the installation of LED theatrical lighting.
Marianne Cavanagh says during the work the team has documented and photographed all equipment and spaces, including the fly floor and hemp rope system. Old timber pulleys, a selection of ropes, old light fixtures and memorabilia such as show programmes across the decades have been kept for posterity.
“How these items will be showcased is still to be determined but it was important to the council to retain these as they tell the story of the journey of the Royal Whanganui Opera House over time.”
Shand Shelton theatre specialist, Phil Conroy, who’s been onsite, says it’s a privilege to work on the Royal Whanganui Opera House because it’s a significant piece of New Zealand theatre history as the only historic wooden theatre in the country.
Shand Shelton has delivered more than 20 theatre and performing arts venues throughout New Zealand and Australia in the past 27 years; many have been heritage theatres similar to the Royal Whanganui Opera House.
Phil Conroy says he’s had a lifelong association with theatre, growing up with a father and grandfather who were scenic artists painting backdrops for shows and a mother who danced with the New Zealand Ballet.
“In those days shows were light and used a lot of backcloths and scenery. With today’s technology shows are bigger and heavier, so what hirers require has changed.”
He recognises some of the vintage gear stored backstage at the opera house from when he was a child – such as carbon arc followspot lights – and says theatres around the country have had to move away from the ‘sailing ship’ rigging technology with ropes and pulleys that he sees at Whanganui’s opera house to more modern counterweight flying systems – as well as other systems to support lighting, drapes, scenery, video walls and audio in line with today’s requirements.
“In the past it was all about finding workarounds for issues but as an industry we have grown up and want our theatres working for us, instead of us working for them,” he says. “We’ve got touring shows and technicians who will be in Whanganui tonight and in Auckland, New Plymouth or Palmerston North tomorrow night, so they’re looking for a level of amenity that makes it safe and easy for them to set up and present their show.
“It’s also got to turn a dollar – hirers want a facility that enables them to put on a show that creates a fantastic experience and attracts good numbers, bringing the kids along to partake because they’re tomorrow’s audiences.”
Shand Shelton will present a report with a range of options at the end of September and this will help inform the council’s long-term plan.
Phil Conroy says he enjoyed meeting the passionate, dedicated bunch of opera house volunteers and the changes will be a breath of fresh air for this well-loved building.
“We’re looking at how we can keep the magic of this historic theatre and set it up for another 122 years.”