Mayor's Speech - Back Downstage Fund-raising Event, Downstage Theatre

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome to the Downstage Theatre.

I'd like to start by quoting the head of the United Nations Development Programme, our former Prime Minister Helen Clark.

"Wellington has a reputation as a culturally rich city, sustained by institutions like Downstage which provide for and nurture its creativity.

"Downstage has long been an important part of Wellington, and New Zealand's, cultural fabric, and those who act, write, direct, and produce its
work can take great pride in their efforts."

You are no doubt aware that you haven't been asked here this evening just because those nice people at Downstage wanted to say hello.

You are here because you have the opportunity to support Downstage and its work at the heart of our cultural life.

Wellington City Council is a proud supporter, and I hope that in the next few minutes I can help those nice people at Downstage persuade you to join its
new giving programme Back Downstage.

But first, some history. you may know it already, so I'll keep it brief.

Downstage is New Zealand's oldest professional theatre company, born in 1964 out of a collaboration between the creative community and a wider group of Wellingtonians.

Over the past 45 years it has entertained the theatre-going public and provided vital support to the dramatic arts in New Zealand in general.

Along the way there have been triumphs and mistakes. Some productions have been familiar, some ground-breaking and challenging.

Some of our best-known actors and entertainers have trodden the boards - Sam Neill, Kerry Fox, even Flight of the Conchords.

Ginette McDonald says of the place: "When I was growing up in Wellington in the 60's, Downstage Theatre was quite simply the funkiest place to be.

"She seemed to be bursting with creative energy, passion and commitment. It was love at first sight."

Among its many achievements, Downstage has had, in the words of John Smythe, author of the theatre's biography Downstage Upfront, some "near death experiences".

It is recovering nicely from its most recent, and hopefully last, one.

It has secured funding from creative New Zealand for 2009, though it no longer has Recurrently Funded Operation status - but continued support relies on success in finding alternative sources.

This is where Back Downstage comes in.

The programme was launched in March by Culture Minister Chris Finlayson, with a view to creating a reliable income stream through regular giving from a broad base of supporters.

In the first six weeks of the programme more than $20,000 was raised. That was a great start, but now we must build on the momentum if we are to keep this treasure.

I'm sure you've heard me say this before, but I make no apology for repeating myself: Wellington is New Zealand's arts and culture capital.

The presence here of somewhere like Downstage is vital to that.

It's a way the city can hold on to its theatrical talent; people who can hone and perform their craft to a sophisticated audience in a unique theatre.

And we can't forget the value to Wellingtonians of having a first-rate professional theatre in such an accessible location.

The actress Miranda Harcourt said: "The idea of an absent or enfeebled Downstage on such a key Wellington intersection as Courtenay Place and Cambridge Terrace is quite frankly appalling."

We aren't asking you to prop up a badly run money pit of a place - Downstage is well run, lean and efficient.

But in days of shrinking government funding it will take a collaborative effort like that which saw its creation 45 years ago to keep it in good health.

This is from John Smythe again: "Mistakes have been made and learned from and its continued survival is a testament to professionalism, good governance and the determination of its community to keep revitalising this nucleus of Wellington cultural activity."

I'm afraid I can't stay to see The Raft this evening. For those of you who are staying, I hope it will give you an opportunity to think about what Downstage means to you.

Thank you for listening - and thank you in advance for your help in securing the future of this Wellington icon.

I'll leave you with this, from performer Pinky Agnew: "Downstage theatre isn't just a Wellington landmark, it's a theatre landmark too.

"For over 40 years it has changed and grown, and continued to bring important plays to Wellingtonians... Downstage is at the heart of
Wellington, and always will be."

Thank you.

The speech delivered may vary from this text.

Department Details:
Mayor's Office