The Regent Theatre Refurbishment Launch

Media Release

THE REGENT THEATRE:

A MELBOURNE ICON UNVEILED

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Melbourne’s much-loved Regent Theatre, which has hosted blockbuster musicals and world premieres, has been revealed today after a major $19.4 million refurbishment as a partnership between the Victorian State Government, the City of Melbourne and Marriner Group.

Theatre operator Marriner Group has worked closely with a team of architects, theatre designers, specialist builders, expert trades and craftspeople, in collaboration with Heritage Victoria, to ensure the refurbishment meets and exceeds the demands of future productions by optimising the auditorium for live performance.

Works undertaken has included an increased capacity allowing for flexible seating configurations, installation of brand-new seating including new leather lounge chairs in the Dress Circle, the bars and foyers have been upgraded, there has been extensive repair and restoration of the ornate plasterwork and the grand and glittering crystal chandelier in the auditorium has undergone a full restoration. The project has been three years in the planning and eight months in construction.

The Regent Theatre refurbishment by numbers:

• 4 metre balcony extension
• 32,000 meters of cabling
• 102 tonnes of steel
• 6,400 square meters of carpet
• 3,700 individual crystals cleaned, polished and rewired in the chandelier
• 5 tonnes of plaster casting
• 192 new seats closer to stage

The refurbishment will ensure the theatre continues to be one of Melbourne’s cultural icons and a world-class live performance venue for generations to come.

Marriner Group, in partnership with Department of Education, has also launched a State Schools Access Program, which will provide 10,000 free or low cost tickets to Victorian state school students throughout 2019 and 2020 and will offer 1,000 free tickets to Victorian children in state care and their carers. This program has already provided the opportunity for many students to have their first live theatre experience, and the feedback from both students and their teachers has been overwhelmingly positive.

The Regent will reopen on January 10 with the international theatrical event War Horse, followed by the inspiring Billy Elliot the Musical. These productions follow in the footsteps of some the world’s most prestigious theatrical events hosted at the Regent in past years, including Sunset Boulevard, Wicked, Love Never Dies, Singin’ In The Rain and The Lion King to name a few.

 Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley

“Melbourne is home to the best theatres in the country and we’re proud to be investing in the future of this great cultural icon.

“This refurbishment spells a new era for the Regent and secures its future. It’s also provided the opportunity to work with Marrier Group to open up access and introduce a new generation of Victorians to the magic of theatre.”

“The Regent is owned by the people of Melbourne and Victoria and this refurbishment has not only increased its capacity and flexibility, it will ensure that we can continue to attract and host top productions for many years to come.”

Quotes attributable to CEO Marriner Group, Jason Marriner

“The Regent is such a beautiful theatre, but now it really is optimised for live performance. The changes are subtle but substantial, and I think audiences will be delighted with the improvement.”

“It is a thrill to have been able to work with the owners, the State Government and the City of Melbourne to refurbish the theatre for the audiences of the future to enjoy.”

Regent Theatre – A Historical Timeline:

• The Regent opened on 15 March 1929 as a picture palace: a venue for many forms of entertainment including the Wurlitzer organ, ballet, a news reel and feature film. The feature on opening night was a silent film, The Two Lovers.
• The first talkie film was on 6 April 1929, an aerial action film called The Air Circus.
• The auditorium burned down in 1945, right at the end of World War 2. Despite the scarcity of building supplies, the City of Melbourne deemed the reconstruction as a priority due to the importance of the Regent to the city.
• Reopening in 1947, the opening night programme included a Technicolor film of the Royal Wedding between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
• The theatre closed in 1970. The theatre’s future was heavily disputed and laid dormant for 26 years.
• Following Marriner Group’s majestic restoration from its near-derelict state, the Regent reopened in 1996 with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard.
• Since reopening, the Regent has been home to blockbuster musicals like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Lion King, Wicked, and Love Never Dies.
• In 2020, the theatre will re-open with the international theatrical event, War Horse, followed by the multi award-winning 10 year anniversary production Billy Elliot the Musical. This follows a comprehensive refurbishment and upgrade of the auditorium and patron amenities.
• In 2021 the Regent will host the Australian premiere of the critically acclaimed Australian production Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

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Additional high resolution images available on request.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: KERRY O’BRIEN PUBLICITY

Kerry O’Brien – 0418 256 503 – kerry@kob.com.au