For chair Frankie J Holden, the first show in the new theatre will see the curtain fall on decades of work. Photo: The Twyford.
Performers and touring acts have a new spot on the South Coast to visit, with a new theatre opening after years of delay.
Chair of The Twyford Hall Complex Frankie J Holden said the committee had “planned and thought and dreamed and schemed” for three decades to get the project off the ground.
“The overall feeling is one of great relief and excitement because it is a great venue,” he said.
“It is, I would say, world-class in its facilities and its capabilities. To have it in the Bega Valley is just a wonderful, wonderful thing for so many reasons.”
Initial plans for a theatre were developed 30 years ago, and the project was the dream of late theatre director John Stewart.
In 2017, the committee sought NSW Government grants to cover the cost of construction.
Work on the project started in 2018, but was soon interrupted by “some roadblocks along the way”, as pandemic restrictions, supply and trade shortages, and increased costs took their toll.
“Building anything is a difficult process, but we started it just in time for COVID to hit, and also on the tail end of the Black Summer bushfires,” he said.
As builder delay costs strained the budget, the project was paused to source extra funding, which in 2023 was provided by the NSW Government. NSW Public Works became the project manager, while local building contractor Hodgson Constructions finished Stage 2.
“There wasn’t a lot to change about the design, because the build took a relatively long time, regulations kept changing regarding fire [safety] and access, things like that,” Mr Holden said.
“That was when we had to step back and modify certain aspects of it.”
Mr Holden said the result was a new theatre – described as “a submarine or a TARDIS, in that there is an awful lot of technology stuffed into a relatively small space” – that seated 200 people.
The development also comes with several dressing rooms, a foyer, bar space and a commercial kitchen.
“We’ll be having lots of touring productions. Everything from one-man comedian shows to orchestral events, live music theatre [shows], conferences, educational TEDx talks,” he said.
“The sky’s the limit, more or less, only limited by the size.
“It will totally invigorate live performance for all of the many amateur groups that are in the Bega Valley Shire.”
The Twyford committee is also running a campaign, through which people can support the venue.
“The challenge now is for us to make sure that it’s going to be economically viable into the long term,” Mr Holden said.
“I’m sure it will be, but people can help secure that long-term future by buying a plaque and having it on the back of the seat.”
Mr Holden said the venue was a stepping stone for acts planning performances across southeast Australia, and complemented nearby venues in places such as Canberra, Batemans Bay and Sale.
“As a result of this new venue being opened here in Merimbula, it will be a valuable step up the east coast for anybody touring,” he said.
“There’s been a gap in that touring platform, and this theatre will fill that for all sorts of people, all sorts of touring groups.”
The theatre will be open for shows from 11 April, with the Twyford team calling for anyone interested in using the venue to get in touch.
“Even though we are going to be encouraging touring acts to come and touring shows, it is still a community asset,” he said.
The Twyford Hall Complex is located at 16 Market Street in Merimbula, consisting of the newly opened theatre and the hall. Further information on the fundraising campaign is available here, while more information about the Twyford Hall Complex or upcoming shows is available here.
