The future of Auckland's St James Theatre is set to be decided in Parliament, as pleas for its restoration ramp up. The 1920s theatre has hosted some of the world's biggest acts including James Brown, Miles Davis and Joni Mitchell. But the venue just off Queen Street has sat dormant for the past 6 years. Renovation plans have fallen by the wayside, with an apartment building that was due to be built next door to provide funding also hitting the wall. Amidst a music venue shortage across New Zealand, a group called Save the St James - alongside Auckland Central MP Chloe Swarbrick - are fighting to restore the venue to its former glory. Leonard Powell visited the crumbling theatre to find out what it's going to take to bring it back to life.
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