Curtain down until spring

SIX more weeks have been added onto the expected date of completion for Her Majesty’s Theatre’s accessibility and safety works.

In a letter to the Royal South Street Society board, which usually runs its eisteddfod at the venue throughout winter and spring, City of Ballarat director economy and experience, Martin Darcy said a revised date of Friday 4 October was realistic.

He said more time was needed for equipment installation and testing before the theatre re-opens.

“After this date, we anticipate performances could take to the stage from mid-November 2024,” Mr Darcy said.

“Should the practical completion date be brought forward, we will do everything possible to facilitate access to Royal South Street.

“We will work closely with RSSS to provide advice should any timelines change.

“We recognise Her Majesty’s Theatre is the home of RSSS… and look forward to your support in re-establishing the facility as Ballarat’s beating heart of creative and artistic life.”

The aim of the stage three works are to improve safety and access for audience members, performers, and staff of all abilities.

Two new lifts, and foyer and toilet upgrades are part of the State Government and City of Ballarat-funded project worth $16.3 million.

A statement from RSSS said the board supports the current works program.

“[There is an inability] to return to the theatre for the majority of our 2024 Eisteddfod due to unforeseen and ongoing works,” the statement said.

“However we look forward to working with the City of Ballarat and the wonderful Her Majesty’s Theatre team to re-establish the facility as Ballarat’s beating heart of creative and artistic life in 2025.

“We thank Federation University and the Founders Theatre staff for accommodating us once again in their beautiful theatre for our instrumental, choral, dance and calisthenics competitions for 2024.”

Mr Darcy said there have been “many challenges” with the Her Maj project.

“The construction team has encountered a large number of latent conditions, including rotten floor structures, unstable ground conditions, contaminated soil, historic fire damage, wiring, wall instability, and other issues associated with a 150-year-old heritage building,” he said.

“This has had a direct impact on the project completion date and required an additional $2.4 million to complete the project.”

One hundred years of the Calisthenics Graceful Solo will be marked on 11 and 12 October.

“This will be a significant and wonderful celebration of 100 years of Graceful Solo, and Calisthenics Solo whether it is held at Her Majesty’s Theatre or Founders Theatre,” the statement from RSSS said.