December 20, 2007

SILO THEATRE MOVING HOUSE

In a bold move, answering the call of growing audiences, Silo Theatre will in early 2008 take up a new partnership with THE EDGE. This revolutionary new partnership will see Silo Theatre use the Herald Theatre as its mainstage, offering upgraded facilities to larger audience numbers.

Over the last ten years, the unexpected growth of Silo Theatre has thrilled audiences and stimulated the growth of the local theatre sector. Since Shane Bosher commenced his tenure as the Artistic Director in 2002, Silo Theatre has repositioned itself from a fringe venue to a boutique production house with a unique standing in the marketplace, serving an annual audience of up to 35,000 people.

Silo Theatre, now a robust centre for development and artistic excellence, was recently described by the National Business Review as "the most dynamic theatre in the country" and won Best Arts Institution in Metro’s Best of Auckland Awards for 2007.

Despite Silo Theatre’s artistic success, the financial growth of the organisation has been impeded by the limited capacity of the venue, which seats just over 100 people. This restricted capacity has often disappointed local audiences with a growing demand for tickets, In 2007 alone, hundreds of people were turned away from sell-out seasons of Based on Auckland, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Bare, Some Girls, Three Days of Rain, The Real Thing and The Mystery of Irma Vep.  

As a playhouse for activity, the Herald Theatre will act as a trigger for building Silo Theatre as a touchstone for professional excellence. As part of the new relationship with THE EDGE®, Silo Theatre will contribute toward new initiatives for audience development, creative and professional development and sector growth.

Silo Theatre is confident that it will be able to extend its existing offer with audiences to a wider market, as has been proven with successful transfers of productions such as The Women, The Boys in the Band, Badjelly The Witch, Bash and The Case of Katherine Mansfield. Working alongside stakeholders such as Creative NZ, Arts Alive, ASB Community Trust and THE EDGE®, Silo Theatre will launch its exciting 2008 programme in February, and is positive that the portfolio of work will offer audiences unique boutique theatre experiences that are immediate, visceral and provoking.

Alongside Silo Theatre’s programme content for next year, the Herald Theatre will also house work staged by Auckland Theatre Company, NZ International Comedy Festival, Massive Company, Capital E and components of the STAMP Creative Development programme by THE EDGE®. Silo Theatre’s current building is likely to be renamed and retained as a venue for live performance, allowing for new opportunities for other companies to present work in development.

Chief Executive for THE EDGE® Greg Innes says "this exciting initiative will see Silo Theatre utilising our infrastructure, resource, and technology to assist in its growth phase. This partnership enables an Auckland audience to reap the benefits of a larger venue."

Silo Theatre’s Chairman Andrew Nicoll says "this strategic alignment allows Silo Theatre to continue its relationship as part of the core theatrical fabric of the Aotea precinct. We anticipate that with THE EDGE® and Silo Theatre brands working alongside each other in parallel development, we can achieve something very exciting in this city. "

The relocation of Silo Theatre has been enabled by THE EDGE®, Creative NZ and Silo Theatre’s Patrons.