Her Majesty’s to host South Street in September

IT’S expected that Her Majesty’s Theatre will reopen in early to mid-September after 20 months of closure, works and restoration by AW Nicholson.

Performers and audience members attending the Royal South Street Eisteddfod will be the first to enjoy the space when it becomes publicly accessible again, however, the competition will already be partly completed.

The City of Ballarat was hoping to have the theatre open for the Victorian Band Championships segment of the eisteddfod, but with safety and professionalism in mind, staff will need the first week of September to ensure Her Maj is truly ready.

The practical completion of the space, after final checks, should be marked tomorrow. Her Majesty’s Chair, Cr Daniel Moloney said staff now face the big challenge of cleaning, furnishing the theatre and replacing equipment.

“The team have been moving back in. There’s about 1000 different items that need to be returned, from the lighting and sound, to even the main curtain, and getting that to work properly so that it rises and falls at the appropriate speed.

“There’s a lot of work to get that in. Even though there’s been canvas over the seats, they’re probably going to need three or four steam cleans to get all the dust out of the seats, and likewise with the carpet,” he said.

“Even when you cover it, you still get dust through. I think we’ve even had industrial strength heaters trying to dry some of the walls that are under street level.”

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Samantha McIntosh was grateful to AW Nicholson who have worked tirelessly to get the project done.

“They have treated Her Majesty’s Ballarat with all the love and respect this grand old dame deserves,” she said.

“We are doing everything in our power to achieve the common goal of seeing Her Majesty’s Ballarat come alive with performances, applause and the enjoyment of performers and patrons alike.

“We know the community can’t wait to see Her Majesty’s Ballarat once again shine in all of her magnificent glory,” Cr McIntosh said.