Iconic theatre’s $2m renos mean closure of spiritual home

Curtains have been drawn on an iconic arts venue after it was revealed repairs would cost more than $2 million, but the 60-year-old theatre group is desperate to find a new home.

The Mousetrap Theatre at Redcliffe.

Curtains have been drawn on an iconic bayside arts venue after it was revealed repairs would cost more than $2 million but the theatre group, which called the site home for almost 60 years, is desperate to find a new home before their history comes to an end too.

Mousetrap Theatre’s home since 1966 on Lamington Drive, Redcliffe was closed late last year after a structural assessment found the venue was not up to code.

However hope still remained the theatre may be reopened in the near future.

But the Moreton Bay Regional Council confirmed it would not be repairing the building to more than 30 members of Mousetrap at a meeting on May 8.

The Mousetrap Theatre at Redcliffe.

“The cost estimate we received for rectification works $750,000 and that’s just for immediate structural repairs, over the next three years it’s estimated we’d need to spend $2.1 million to remediate structural deficiencies and bring the building into line with current codes,” Councillor for Division 6 Karl Winchester said.

“So rather than paying for a bandaid interim solution, we’re opting to invest in a detailed feasibility study to holistically consider Mousetrap’s future.

“That will include the development of an operating model, business case, site identification and assessment, as well as a concept design for a new building.”

Cr Winchester said there was a strong need for a community performing arts facility on the Redcliffe Peninsula but the first step would be finding Mousetrap a suitable temporary home.

“(Then) the next step will be determining where and how we can build a new performance space that will deliver the best outcome not only for Redcliffe but Moreton Bay,” he said.

Mouse Trap president Karen Karen Matthews said the process of finding a new home was taking too long.

“The uncertainty is adversely affecting our group. Moving from venue to venue means some of our audience don’t know where we are, and most community venues are not designed for theatrical productions,” she said.

“We have a large number of props, costume, tech equipment, seating, etc stored at our theatre, and if we have to move out before an alternate home is found we will have to store that gear somewhere off site.

A previous Christmas show at the Mousetrap Theatre starting (front) Tristan Whitfield, Natalie Stanley and Aiden Stanley (back) Natalie Bloomer, Tia Stace, Kaitlyn Whitfield, Pia Stanley and Megan Cassam.

“We are determined to continue as a theatre community. Some of our members have over 50 years of history with the group, and they won’t let go easily.

“The current circumstances are difficult, but we are doing the best we can. We need some certainty, we need a home base, we can make a theatre if we have a building (and) we need the other councillors to Support Karl Winchester in his endeavours to find us a home.”

The Mousetrap Theatre Group has started a petition which has amassed almost 1000 signatures to show councillors, other than Cr Winchester, how important it was for them to find a new home.

Cr Winchester reiterated finding the group a temporary new home was their number one priority.

“A number of venues were suggestions by Mousetrap Theatre group members, which will be looked at,” he said.

“We’ve heard loud and clear that group members want to ensure that their base remains in Redcliffe and that they have a dedicated space to use, so we will work to accommodate those requirements.

“The logistical difficulty for any temporary space will be finding somewhere to store items like props and costumes until a permanent solution is found.

“I’m hopeful that a solid concept will attract state and federal funding to create a more significant arts precinct for our region.”