Royal Whanganui Opera House to receive safety upgrade
Published on 14 February 2023
The Royal Whanganui Opera House is to receive a significant safety upgrade.
Whanganui District Council’s chief executive David Langford says a recent health and safety survey identified a number of risks with some of the backstage equipment.
He says, “Some of the equipment backstage is showing its age and in need of replacement. While some of the safety issues we have identified could potentially cause serious accidents, they can be made safe relatively easily and quickly.
“Fortunately the council was already planning and budgeting for replacement of the equipment that we’ve identified as old and becoming risky.”
“Some of the trapdoors present a risk and the hemp ropes for the lifting rigs for props have deteriorated with age and are not as strong as they used to be. There are also electrical issues that need to be resolved and a large accumulation of props that are blocking exits and are also made of combustible materials.”
David Langford says alternative lighting and sound systems will be installed until permanent replacements are in place. “The existing lighting system is already budgeted for replacement with a modern LED system that operates at much lower temperatures and we are going to prioritise this work.”
“The fly floor and the flying system had already been put off limits to all personnel due to safety concerns anyway, but this will now be dismantled and de-rigged. There is current funding in this year’s budget for scoping and designing a suitable replacement.”
“We will be preserving the rigging system and storing it due to its heritage value and may re-erect parts of it in the future for non-functional display purposes.”
David Langford says, “We are contacting all of the clients who have booked the Opera House. We are confident that we can still successfully host all of the productions we have booked with only minimal impacts on how they deliver their performances. I want to reassure our community that we will still be putting on high quality shows and encourage people to book their tickets.”
AMDRAM Theatre president Graham Dack says, “The Royal Whanganui Opera House has been a home for community theatre in Whanganui for generations and we are working closely with the council as we prepare for our exciting production of Phantom of the Opera in mid-March. The preservation of heritage items from this unique venue is also very important to us and we are pleased to hear that the council has a plan for this.”
David Langford says, “We have been meeting with volunteers to discuss these issues and we want to acknowledge all the fantastic work and support they have provided over the years.”
Margaret Johnson, president of the Friends of the Opera House says, “Of extreme importance is that the Opera House is retained as a working theatre in this city. The Friends of the Opera House look forward to having a first rate and safe venue that we can continue to host shows in.”