BATS Theatre finds new temporary home in Civic Square
BATS Theatre has announced that it will temporarily relocate to the McKenzie Theatre in the Capital E centre in Civic
Square, opening its first season there in early 2013. The move will allow for planned earthquake strengthening and
refurbishment work to take place at 1 Kent Terrace, the theatre's home for the last 22 years.
The temporary relocation will mean BATS can continue to present the majority of its regular annual programme in the city
centre. The 2013 BATS programme at the McKenzie Theatre will include the New Zealand International Comedy Festival,
Young and Hungry festival of new theatre, BATS' own STAB programme and selected seasons of theatre works by New Zealand
artists.
BATS activities will begin in Civic Square with the opening of Little Town Liars in early February, as part of the 2013 New Zealand Fringe festival.
Chair of the BATS Theatre Board Victoria Spackman said, "Our audiences and artists can expect the same quality of BATS
experience at Civic Square. We're working on some exciting branding plans that will bring a bit of the BATS style to
Civic Square during our stay."
The temporary relocation will allow BATS Theatre to keep on doing what it does best - supporting New Zealand theatre
makers and providing them with a much needed platform to present their work affordably to Wellington audiences," said Ms
Spackman.
The earthquake strengthening and refurbishment work for 1 Kent Terrace is currently in the planning stages and it is
anticipated that BATS Theatre will reopen there in 2014.
BATS Theatre Board and Management are working closely with the building owners as plans develop and intend to provide
regular updates and insights to the public once work commences in 2013.
"This is one of the most exciting journeys that BATS Theatre has embarked upon in its history," said Ms Spackman. "We
look forward to sharing it with both the theatre community in New Zealand and our audiences in Wellington." Regular
updates will also be posted at bats.co.nz and on the theatre's Facebook page.
Capital E is managed by the Wellington Museums Trust. Capital E's regular programming including its Festival for
Children (March 2013) will continue as usual during the period of BATS residency in the McKenzie Theatre. Full details
of Capital E activities can be found at http://www.capitale.org.nz.
ENDS