WHY SAVE THE
METRO-MINERVA
THEATRE?
....BECAUSE IT IS ARCHITECTURALLY IMPORTANT
The theatre is an Art Deco Masterpiece and great asset to the history of Sydney.
"The… Minerva Theatre is an important part of the King's Cross and Potts Point Neighbourhoods, not only as a civic and cultural icon, but as a fine Example of Art Deco architecture" - Theatre Heritage Australia
"one of the finest Moderne style theatre of the Art Deco period in Australia' - Prof. Ross Thorne PhD, Theatre Historian
"It is a rare surviving example of the style in Sydney, providing a link with Sydney's theatrical heritage of the late 1930's and 1940's…. It retains unique historical associations with Sydney and Kings Cross and contributed greatly to Sydney's live theatre scene of the 1930s and 1940's and again in the 1970's" -Art Deco and Modernism Society of Australia
...BECAUSE IT IS CULTURALLY IMPORTANT
Purpose built live theatres are important pieces of cultural infrastructure and the Minerva is no exception and has a rich history of success.
The Metro-Minerva has meant a lot to patrons over the years, the Stars who trod the boards or attended shows there Peter Finch, Noel Coward, Jackie Chan, Ginger Rogers, Chelsea Brown, Keenyn Wynn, Muriel Steinbeck, Pat Macdonald to name just a few, and the great Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film period, the sensational Premier in 1965-1966 Premiere and thirteen month run of Mary Poppins and the two year run of "Hair" with Reg Livermore and directed by Potts Point local Jim Sharman.
...BECAUSE IT IS NEEDED AND WANTED BY THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SECTOR
There is a dire lack of theatres in Sydney, despite demand being greater than Melbourne, the perceived forerunner.
"The Shortage of Theatre in Sydney negatively impacts the rest of the country. There is also significant local work, product and companies that are inhibited of the lack of venues"
- John Frost AM – Managing Director The Gordon Frost Organisation
"Sydney’s commercial and subsidised theatre industry has long been impacted by a lack of sufficient theatre spaces available to house main stay work toured by international and Australian promoters, festivals, producers, and theatre companies. Lack of availability has often delayed the possibility of a Sydney season, with promoters favouring other Australian cities to premiere new work.
From the perspective of Sydney Festival, venue availability for short run seasons is an ongoing challenge, in particular for variety, circus and cabaret work, which often requires expensive temporary infrastructure due to a lack of permanent venue availability for the festival to access. "
- Olivia Ansell, Sydney Festival Director
....BECAUSE IT IS WANTED BY THE PUBLIC
The change.org has over 3,800 signatories imploring the building be reinstated as a working live theatre
…BECAUSE IT IS VIABLE
Recent modelling shows several viable business models, frawing from GFO’s success in the 80s and 90s with the then Footbridge Theatre on Parramatta Road Camperdown is an excellent example of how a mixed use space (which is what we, and industry experts, are proposing for the Metro/Minerva) could work. The Footbridge was extremely successfully, even after taking into consideration that the theatre was much smaller, further from public transport, and not serviced by as many amenity businesses as the Metro/Minerva is.
...BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Enmore theatre generates $40M yr income to local area ( Enmore/Newtown , Camperdown, Stanmore, Erskinville)
The arts more broadly provides $313m direct employment
$21.6 m in contracts with local suppliers and providers
$32m direct expenditure on f&b
In addition to this direct expenditure in local economies by the performing arts centre itself, audience members spend an additional $1.3 billion in local economies, like hospitality (over and above the ticket price) by virtue of their attendance
-PAC Australia 2019 Economic Activity Report
...AND THE SAVINGS IT COULD OFFER
A refurbishment of the Metro Minerva would be approx $5 - $25m [update with Hawkbridge figure] vs New Build $110m IF you can find the land in the right location. Needs evidence.
...BECAUSE IT WILL BE RELEVANT
A reinstated Minerva should be a relevant and contemporary space, not a creaking museum piece held in stasis but an activated living space for a contemporary audience, showcasing the latest and greatest in international tours and, importantly home grown productions.
...BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY HAS PLEDGED TO DO IT
Create NSW have said they
"Support and advocate cultural usage of existing infrastructure" Create NSW Cultural Infrastructure Plan 2025+
a reactivated Minerva provides a perfect opportunity for the Government to fulfil this promise
"object of art is to give life a shape" William Shakespeare
Icons from the Noun Project heritage by Adrien Coque, signature by Adrien Coquet