The Wyndham Cultural Centre will re-open to the public in July, more than a year after it closed for maintenance and refurbishment works.
Included in the revamped centre will be a new bar, a new foyer and upgraded seating for guests attending theatrical performances.
New audio-visual equipment, improved sound for the hearing impaired, refurbished dressing rooms and back of house facilities for performers are also among the upgrades.
The last performance held at the venue was on May 18 last year, before it was closed for upgrades to the tune of $7.4 million.
Alaine Beek, who runs the local Essence Theatre Productions, said the reopening was important for performing arts in the area.
“The challenges in Wyndham, we are unique only having one theatre, so we had to go outside of the area [to perform],” Ms Beek said.
“Once a twice a year we would get to use it, so it was definitely missed not being able to do our big showcase performances.”
She welcomed the upgrades and said it was the perfect opportunity for people to book tickets and support theatre locally.
“They have quite a variety of offerings, so the community should attend more. It is a really good theatre.
“Even if you don’t know what the show is about, you should still give it a shot.”
Two acts will kick off the centre’s new era on Saturday, July 5.
At 7pm, King Stingray, which has been described as a blend of rock’n’roll and the Indigenous tradition of Manikay, will perform on the back of a recent international tour.
Their debut album earned 5 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) nominations and won ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best independent Rock Album’ at the 2023 Australian Independent Record (AIR) awards.
They will be followed by electronic music duo Electric Fields, which is known for combining modern electric-soul music with Aboriginal culture, and sing in Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara and English.
To see the full listing of performances and programs and to book tickets, visit: www.wyncc.com.au/
