Hobart’s Playhouse Theatre renovations uncover convict nails, 160 year-old floorboards

Hobart’s Playhouse Theatre has spread the love, hosting countless shows in its 160-year history. Now, upgrades have prepared it up for the next generations of thespians.

River Davies will play the title role in the upcoming production of Stuart Little at the Playhouse Theatre.

For more than 100 years visitors to Hobart’s Playhouse Theatre have kept warm through heated oil running through pipes under the seats.

The theatre has gone through recent renovations and has upgraded both its heating and cooling systems in order to ensure future patrons can continue to watch plays comfortably.

Marketing co-ordinator for the Playhouse Theatre Suzen Parnell said as temperatures change the modern upgrades to the system were desperately needed.

“Being a theatre the ceilings are very high so trying to keep the whole space warm was a challenge,” Ms Parnell said.

She said the theatre can also become very hot after repeated days of high temperatures, which it was not designed for.

The floor re-finished. Picture: The Playhouse Theatre

During the replacement of the system the chairs were removed from the 160 year old theatre and the floors were redone.

“They found the floorboards were in great condition, so they actually stripped back the floor and then put a new stain over it to make it all look beautiful.”

Convict era nails were also found during the renovations.

Convict nails found in the floorboards. Picture: The Playhouse Theatre

In the foyer the original terrazzo was found under the carpet, polished and now sits front and centre to welcome audiences.

The refreshed look of the historical theatre showcases its history and development, Mrs Parnell said.

The Playhouse Theatre is owned by the Hobart Repertory Society, a registered charity that runs and maintains the theatre for the whole community.

Mrs Parnell said this was quite a unique operation, as most repertory societies don’t own their own theatre.

The arrangement allows the theatre to both produce and commission plays from other companies and the calendar is jam-packed with entertaining shows this year.

Restoring the theatre is becoming a costly exercise for the society, with further renovations planned so that generations of Tasmanians can continue to enjoy the performing arts in the comfortable, 260 seat theatre.

One generous donor has pledged to match donations to the theatre up to $5,00 until the end of June 2025.

Mrs Parnell said the renovations are “fabulous” and “beautiful” but “pricey” and the society was encouraging people to donate and help keep the community focused theatre fit-for-purpose.

River Davies will play the title role in the upcoming production of Stuart Little at the Playhouse Theatre. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The first play taking to the stage at the renovated premise is Stuart Little, a tale of a mouse on a hero’s quest — complete with different sized props showing the mouse’s relative size to the humans.

Mrs Parnell said kids would be jumping in their seats to see Stuart driving around the stage in his mini-car.

Stuart Little stars River Davies as the main character and runs from April 9 to 19.

Originally published as Hobart’s Playhouse Theatre renovations uncover convict nails, 160 year-old floorboards