$6.5 million allocated for refurbishment of Perth’s His Majesty's Theatre

While the Western Australian Government’s 2018/19 budget has largely focussed on health, roads and education, $6.5 million has been allocated for the ongoing refurbishment of His Majesty's Theatre in Perth.

To maintain the venue as a centre for opera, dance and theatre, the work will include upgrades to the orchestra pit and front of house, with $4 million and $2.5 million respectively assigned in the budget to the separate parts of the work.

Work on the orchestra pit, which is currently opened and closed manually, will improve occupational health and safety at the venue with a new lift to enable the floor to be automatically moved between the pit and auditorium levels.

His Majesty's public areas will also be improved, providing more hospitality opportunities and upgrades of the foyer areas.

The upgrades will assist in conserving its cultural significance, enhancing the conservation and preservation of the iconic building in the Perth central business district.

His Majesty's was built in 1904 and welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a year.

An auditorium upgrade was completed in 2017, which included upgrades and improvements to the seating, painting and carpet.

The Western Australian Government budget contains no other new funding for the arts, sport or tourism.

In tourism, Tourism Council WA advise that the Western Australian Government has delivered its election commitment of consistent funding for tourism marketing and events over five years, however, overall funding declines for Tourism WA as belt-tightening continues on salaries and regional programs such as visitor centres and Aboriginal tourism development.

Tourism Council WA Chief Execuitve Evan Hall advises “the Budget does not include future funding for the highly successful Aboriginal Tourism Development Program, which will otherwise cease at the end of 2018/19.

“Tourism Council WA calls on the State Government to provide future funding certainty for this critical program and continue to improve the State’s Aboriginal tourism product.

Hall said there was a huge tourism opportunity following a massive investment in hotels and venues such as the new Optus Stadium, adding “the State Government needs to invest in marketing, aviation development and Aboriginal tourism to attract tourism dollars and create jobs across WA.

“Other states continue to boost their marketing and aviation development budgets, while WA is being left behind in the race to win visitors.” 

Image: Interior of His Majesty's Theatre.

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