University to build replacement Schonell Theatre

The Schonell Theatre will be replaced with a new performance venue as part of a $300 million University of Queensland arts project.

An ABBA Night at the Schonell Theatre. The theatre will be rebuilt as part of a $300 million makeover but the Student Union wants to run it independently.

The landmark Schonell Theatre in Brisbane’s inner-west will be replaced with a new performance venue as part of a $300 million makeover.

A new Student Hub and a new performance venue annexed to the UQ Art Museum will form the core of the revamp.

The announcement last year that the Schonell would be torn down was met with howls of outrage from students and the Brisbane arts community.

Student Union president Georgia Millroy said it supported the replacement performance venue, but only if the union were allowed to run it.

She said the university had been “silent’’ on the Schonell’s future until the union, students and the wider community raised their voices about its demise.

The union feared a large donor could shut down a sensitive production, such as the Taiwanese Film Festival, unless the complex was run by the union.

However Vice-chancellor and university president, Peter Hoj, who announced the news this morning in an email to all students, said he was confident a way forward could be found that would be acceptable to students, the university and the wider community.

“It’s a bit early to talk about how it will be run. It would be surprising if students did not have guaranteed rights to access and manage events, but this is a step removed from them running it,’’ Prof Hoj said.

He said there were multiple stakeholders, not just the union, and with a $300 million investment that needed to be considered.

Prof Hoj said fears about censorship of sensitive events were misplaced and in his time as Vice-chancellor there never had been interference in the staging of an event and, indeed, he did not know beforehand what would be staged.

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Prof Hoj also said, providing the UQ Senate approved the plan, the new performance space would provide a much better venue than any upgrade could do.

But he acknowledged the emotional bond many people had with the Schonell because of its role in a tumultuous time in the university’s past and speculated that elements of the theatre could be preserved or recognised.

“(Speaking as Peter Hoj (personally, and not the university) perhaps the new building could have a name like The New Schonell, or maybe we could keep a row of the old seats, or retain some other elements in the new architecture,’’ he said.

“But the reality is the Schonell was built to 1970 standards. It does not comply with disability access and (other modern standards).

“We know many people feel strongly about the Schonell Theatre and the student

complex, and we would like to better understand their views and how we can

acknowledge these as we continue with our planning.’’

Prof Hoj said a decision on whether to go ahead could be made in the second half of the year after talking through the issue of the Schonell.

He wrote in his email that the university was at crossroads.

“To keep pace, and remain in the top 50 global teaching and research universities, we need to make significant investments over the next five years in spaces that work better for our students, staff and partners.

“As part of this investment we plan to build more student-focused teaching areas; new collaboration and innovation spaces; and more inclusive recreational environments and services.

“Our consultations with students and staff called out the urgent need to prioritise

investment in a new student complex and a contemporary performing arts space.’’

UQ Vice Chancellor Peter Hoj. Picture: AAP/ Megan Slade

Prof Hoj said after workshops with the union and staff to understand their views, the university was considering the two infrastructure projects.

The proposed new Student Hub would replace the existing student complex.

It would include more than 1400 new informal learning seats for students to hang out, work

together on ideas and projects, and partner with industry on joint opportunities.

Other features included an employability service that showcased career opportunities, an extra 1500 student learning spaces, dedicated space for student support services in key areas such as health and wellbeing, accommodation and specialist workshops, and 1800 sqm for the

UQ Student Union and their clubs and societies.

There would also be an entrepreneurship studio supporting students to turn ideas into reality and improved choice of food and retail outlets.

“The proposed new performance venue would be a shared facility to accommodate

space for teaching, along with student performances and broader community events,’’ Prof Hoj said.

“While further conversations with staff and students are planned, we know the

precinct will need to include facilities that allow for music concerts, theatre

performances, films and lectures.

“These projects are in addition to the development of new student leisure and

services space at Building 41, including a new home for the Red Room, and the

upgrading of the nearby Natural Amphitheatre, which we announced last September.

Stephanie Baxter played a role in "Metalhead', at the Schonell. The theatre is an important venue for live performances. Picture: Peter Cronin

“To make these essential investments possible, the new student complex would need

to replace the existing student complex and Schonell Theatre.’’

Ms Millroy said that in the original Student Complex redevelopment plan, Prof Høj and the university were “silent as to the future of Schonell’’.

“The attitude of Peter Høj and UQ only changed when student union representatives presented

them with 8000 signatures on a petition to ‘Save Schonell’ and what it represents at UQ,’’ she said.

“Since (the student union) constructed and began operating the Schonell in 1970, the theatre has been a bastion of creative arts, critical debate and political independence at UQ.

“Throughout the 70s and 80s, Schonell housed 4ZZZ, a radio station unafraid to expose the

corruption that was rife within the Bjelke-Peterson government.

“In the present day, Schonell showcases UQ’s vast and diverse performing arts scene, presenting student-run plays that often speak frankly about UQ and its associates.

“The Union fears that UQ does not share our willingness to engage the student body in

discussions around controversial topics, like the Taiwanese Film Festival that we facilitate.

“Even if UQ were willing to showcase critical and independent material, we fear that a donor or external interest who disagrees with a production could pressure UQ to shut it down.

“The Union believes that the independence, critical thought and genuine student voice which

has flourished within Schonell’s four walls will cease to exist within a theatre operated by UQ

administration.’’