8 May 2018

Dunedin arts enthusiasts determined to keep theatre alive

From Checkpoint, 5:55 pm on 8 May 2018

Dunedin's performing arts community has committed to preserving professional theatre in the city after last week's sudden closure of the Fortune Theatre.

The stage at Dunedin's Fortune Theatre has fallen for the last time.

The stage at Dunedin's Fortune Theatre has fallen for the last time. Photo: Facebook / Fortune Theatre

The city's creative community was dealt a blow last week with the announcement that the theatre - which had run for 44 years and produced more than 400 shows - was closing for good and with immediate effect.

But at a meeting today of more than 50 people, the creative community pledged to fight to keep professional theatre in Dunedin, in whatever guise it might be.

The Save Fortune Theatre meeting organiser Sarah Latta said she was impressed by the groundswell of support for preserving professional arts.

"I don't know what the way forward is going to be, right now it is not for me to decide. But I do believe there is hope there, even if the building is left behind, there will still be something in Dunedin."

Ms Latta said she was heartened by the depth of feeling and ideas.

"I feel like everyone is feeling a bit of grief in their heart for Fortune, even though the Fortune Theatre was never about the building, it was about the family and the production involved. Action needs to be taken, whatever that is."

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Photo: Provided