First look at new Thebby: Inside SA’s top band venue
Music lovers are pumped for the grand reopening of one of the state’s most beloved venues following the completion of an $8.7 million makeover. See the pictures and find out the first act to take the stage.
Thebarton Theatre doesn’t officially open for another month, but is overwhelmed with demand, with an already stacked lineup until the end of the year.
A sparkling new high-tech noticeboard will alert punters to what’s coming up at the theatre, replacing the old-style lineup visible from the traffic lights when you’re stuck waiting at the intersection of Henley Beach and South Roads.
The first performance at the revamped theatre is the Elvis American Trilogy on October 1, but the grand opening on October 22 will see Marcia Hines and Casey Donovan take the stage.
The West Torrens Council says promoter Weslo has seen great demand from bands wanting to play the perfectly mid-sized venue, with a steady stream of gigs lined up until April, and more to be announced.
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Inside, the atmosphere of the old-school theatre is maintained, with refreshed Art Deco stylings.
West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon says this first stage of the revamp prioritised the patron and performer experience.
The ceiling, which used to be black from the days when you could smoke inside, has been plastered, thoroughly cleaned and got a fresh lick of paint.
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The theatre seats about 2000 and still has its old-school seats, including the “lovers lounge” – a section of love seats in the stalls to seat couples.
Coxon says the seats could also get a makeover in stage two of the redevelopment, but any future phases still have to be costed and voted on by the council.
This first phase cost $8.7 million, with a $4 million contribution from the state government and $700,000 from the federal government.
For patrons, congestion between bars and bathrooms should be reduced with the new fit-out, which includes wheelchair accessible bathrooms and a lift.
For bands and crews, there’s a hydraulic loading dock with an entrance off South Road to help gear be bumped in and out of the venue with ease.
The look and feel of the theatre maintains its roots, and the upgrade was done carefully given its state heritage status.
The council’s General Manager Natural and Built Environments Michelle Kennedy says the extension and landscaping were designed to complement the original theatre – which has been painted, but not otherwise touched.
“Refurbishing a state heritage place is a privilege as much as it is a challenge but from the outset, we worked really closely with state heritage and also engaged specialist heritage architects alongside the appointed design team to work through those requirements,” she says.
The Thebarton Theatre will celebrate 100 years in 2028.
