IT\u2019S expected that Her Majesty\u2019s Theatre will reopen in early to mid-September after 20 months of closure, works and restoration by AW Nicholson.<\/p>\n
Performers and audience members attending the Royal South Street<\/em> Eisteddfod will be the first to enjoy the space when it becomes publicly accessible again, however, the competition will already be partly completed.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The practical completion of the space, after final checks, should be marked tomorrow. Her Majesty\u2019s Chair, Cr Daniel Moloney said staff now face the big challenge of cleaning, furnishing the theatre and replacing equipment.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team have been moving back in. There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of work to get that in. Even though there\u2019s been canvas over the seats, they\u2019re probably going to need three or four steam cleans to get all the dust out of the seats, and likewise with the carpet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cEven when you cover it, you still get dust through. I think we\u2019ve even had industrial strength heaters trying to dry some of the walls that are under street level.\u201d<\/p>\n City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Samantha McIntosh was grateful to AW Nicholson who have worked tirelessly to get the project done.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have treated Her Majesty\u2019s Ballarat with all the love and respect this grand old dame deserves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are doing everything in our power to achieve the common goal of seeing Her Majesty\u2019s Ballarat come alive with performances, applause and the enjoyment of performers and patrons alike.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know the community can\u2019t wait to see Her Majesty\u2019s Ballarat once again shine in all of her magnificent glory,\u201d Cr McIntosh said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IT\u2019S expected that Her Majesty\u2019s 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. […]<\/p>\n