PERFORMING ARTS PRACTITIONERS WELCOME!  

HIRING THE THEATRE ROYAL, NELSON  

A beautiful asset to Nelson and the theatrical life of New Zealand 

In 1878 The Theatre Royal was built on market gardening land by a company of Oddfellows. Nelson was a town of just 6,000 yet 1,000 people crammed in on opening night. 

The June 18, 2010 official opening follows 10 years of fundraising and two and a half years of rebuilding and restoring the Theatre Royal to its full glory, preserving its heritage for future generations. 

Peeling back the layers to reveal the original beauty has been no easy task. The hard work and vision for the theatre is now here for everyone to see and enjoy. We are proud to offer you a fully restored heritage theatre with 21^st century staging and front of house – back stage facilities. 

The Theatre Royal currently has a seating capacity of 332 and we hope to increase this to 350 with additional seating in the Dress Circle. 

The Theatre Royal offers competitive rates for both professional and community groups and we are taking bookings now for 2011/12. 

We also work collaboratively with artists.

Collaboration and partnership is at the heart of all performing arts and we welcome and encourage professional companies and independent artists. 

Performances are supported through partnering the Theatre Royal’s own infrastructure and resources with an artist’s or company’s productions. 

Our aim is to assist artists and independent companies to achieve their artistic and financial objectives. Visiting companies are to provide a full and efficient company capable of presenting their Production and the Theatre Royal provides:
Support for artists: No rental – Companies receive 70% the box office (plus GST) at the end of the performance period.

 

The following services are provided to visiting companies:

§      Marketing support including opening night invitations to press, industry and guests/sponsors, direct mail (postage costs are shared in accordance to the box office split – 70% is paid by the visiting company, 30% by the Theatre Royal).

§      Publicity – including pre publicity, reviews in mainstream and local press, radio interviews and extensive web marketing

§      Direct E-marketing to our audience – including our Royal Family members, regular patrons, local residents, the arts sector in Nelson, student bodies and your targeted audience. Discounted advertising rates with the local media (print & radio) to support your advertising campaign.

§      A beautifully restored theatre! The auditorium seats 332 patrons and all sound, lighting and technical support is offered at a small cost of $30 per hour.

§      Production/Management support including production meetings to ensure your scheduling requirements are met.

§      Telephone and on-line booking service via the theatre’s ticketing agent Everyman Records – operated daily and online. Door sales are available at the theatre.

§      Full front of house service and support

§      Credit card and on-line bookings – partner companies pay 70% and the theatre pays 30% as per the box office split.

§      Production advice and mentoring for new co-operatives, companies and artists.