How Melbourne’s Regent Theatre revamp is simply Wicked
Melbourne’s Regent Theatre has unveiled its $19.4 million refurbishment, which was three years in the making. This is how one of the brightest jewels in the city’s theatre crown has been transformed. SEE THE PICTURES
Entertainment
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One of the brightest jewels in Melbourne’s theatre crown, the Regent, is glowing from a multimillion-dollar refurbishment.
Melbourne musical theatre star Amanda Harrison, who was in the Regent’s longest-running musical, Wicked, was at the unveiling of the $19.4 million refurbishment.
“It’s so glorious and I’m loving being back in the theatre,” Harrison said.
“To have the new, extended dress-circle balcony means we, as performers, will feel a closer connection with the audience, and the audience will feel closer to us.”
The refurbishments include repair and restoration of the ornate plasterwork and grand chandelier in the auditorium. There is new carpet, upgraded foyers and bars and new leather lounge chairs in the dress circle where the balcony has been extended by 4m.
Theatre owner Jason Marriner said the refurbishment was three years in the making and happened in partnership with the state government and the City of Melbourne.
“This renovation is about optimising the auditorium for live performances,” Mr Marriner said.
“It makes the theatre substantially more intimate without taking away any of the amenities that people love such as leg room, comfortable seating and the grandeur of the whole auditorium.”
The theatre now holds 1750. The first show to be staged there will be War Horse opening on January 14, followed by Billy Elliot on February 22. The expected blockbuster Moulin Rouge will be there in 2021.
“To have the endorsement of Moulin Rougewhich will make its Australian premiere in the Regent in 2021 is the cherry on top,” he said.