Relaunching royalty

NOW in her one hundred and forty fourth year, iconic Her Majesty’s Theatre reopened last week with even more good news.

After 20 months of closure and restoration, the State government announced $10 million to fund the next stage of works, ensuring a welcoming and accessible 21^st century space for patrons of all abilities.

Royal South Street’s Aria competition for emerging classical singers will be the first performance on the stage, since 2017, on Friday 13 September.

Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas attended the reopening, pleased to breathe new life into regional performing arts.

“Her Majesty’s Theatre showcases some of our finest artistic talents and is beloved by locals and arts lovers,” Mr Pallas said. “It is a pleasure to restore her to her former glory and boost jobs.”

City of Ballarat Major, Cr Samantha McIntosh, was grateful that front and rear lift installation, improvement to broader accessibility, thrust lifts in the orchestra pit, better balustrades, stronger lighting in the auditorium, and a fresh box office would soon become a reality.

“Her Majesty’s Ballarat belongs to our entire community,” she said.  “The City of Ballarat contributed $5.3 million to the now completed restorative works and activated the community’s voice…with the Save Her Majesty’s – The Time is Now campaign.

“We would like to thank Ballarat and the wider community for rallying behind our campaign.”

Public donations generated over $100,000.

“This support was instrumental in securing the Victorian government’s $10 million commitment,” Ms McIntosh said.

The theatre had previously received $2 million under the state’s Living Heritage Program.

AW Nicholson has collaborated with heritage Architect, Lovell Chen, the council’s Major Projects group and the Her Majesty’s Ballarat team on the project.

Roof trusses were urgently repaired, the raked stage was reconstructed, dressing rooms were rebuilt for better functionality, plaster and painting in the auditorium were preserved, fire and emergency lighting was improved, and damp remediation was addressed.