Blenheim's ASB Theatre finally opens

Following frantic activity to complete the venue over recent weeks, the ASB Theatre Marlborough opened on Wednesday night (16th March).

After 10 years, the $23 million venue presented its first performance, the current affairs comedy show 7 Days, (pictured above) and is now scheduled to present a full calendar of performances and events.

Speaking immediately prior to the opening, Marlborough Civic Theatre Trust Chairman Kevin Moseley said there had been a real community effort to get the theatre "across the line" so it was ready for the show.

Moseley told The Marlborough Express “so many people have put in so much hard work to get this up and happening.

"We had about 100 people working hard here (last) Saturday, they all put in a huge amount of work over the weekend.”

The theatre aimed to bring world-class acts to Blenheim, and to attract people from Wellington and the top of the South Island to Blenheim.

It offers two theatres, with the biggest seating up to 700 people and the smaller accommodating 200 people.

Originally expected to be completed by the end of 2013, building of the theatre was delayed as project managers upgraded the venue’s ability to structural integrity to resist earthquakes.

Further delays as a result of the late arrival of building materials caused the opening of the theatre to be postponed until this month.

Development of the venue has involved what ASB Theatre General Manager Andrew Scott referred to as a “fantastic response" from community groups.

However, costs have risen with the Marlborough District Council agreeing to guarantee a $1.5 million loan to complete the theatre earlier this month.

Questions have been raised about the venue’s overall cost with local Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith saying he was "stunned" when he heard Marlborough Councillors recently claimed that they had not been given enough information on the project.

With some final works to be completed, including catering facilities, Marlborough theatre and musical groups had been booking the venue for their shows throughout the year, as well as touring national and international acts.

ASB Theatre Events and Marketing Co-ordinator Lisa Erikson explained "the whole thing is about making sure our local organisations can use it.”

Before last Wednesday’s show started, Scott went on stage to thank people in the audience for their support of the theatre.

He said afterwards he thought the show had gone "brilliantly" and that it was a great start for the new facility.

For more information go to the Marlborough Civic Theatre website at  www.mctt.co.nz

Images: ASB Theatre Marlborough's first performance 7 Days (top) and the venue's foyer (below). 

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