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New Adelaide Festival Centre upgrades announced and timing confirmed

Thursday, 11 July 2024

A major upgrade for Adelaide Festival Centre’s three theatres, including new seats at Festival Theatre, Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre, as well as new auditorium lighting and new staging has been announced today in addition to safety and access upgrades announced by the State Government late last year, making for enhanced theatre experiences for audiences and artists.

In December last year, the Malinauskas government announced a $35 million upgrade to the Western Plaza (between Festival Theatre and Dunstan Playhouse) to improve pedestrian access to Adelaide Festival Centre with a new lift, as well as fire and safety systems upgrades, and the timing of this work has now been confirmed.

These extensive futureproofing works require Adelaide Festival Centre’s three theatres to temporarily close from July 2025 (Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre) and August 2025 (Festival Theatre) with reopening scheduled for early 2026. 

The temporary closure presents an opportunity for the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust to undertake further investment in the theatres, including the installation of brand new seating in all theatres, lighting upgrades to foyers and auditoriums as well as the refurbishment of stage flooring at Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre. These additional upgrades will ensure Adelaide Festival Centre remains the most comfortable and welcoming audience experience for all South Australians to enjoy for many years to come.  

The iconic and recently redeveloped 1,467-seat Her Majesty’s Theatre, owned and operated by Adelaide Festival Centre, will remain open and will offer a continuous program of festivals, arts, and entertainment during this time.

The Hon.  Andrea Michaels MP, South Australian Minister for Arts: “The Adelaide Festival Centre has been an icon in South Australia for more than 50 years.

“The Malinauskas Government is already investing $35 million to deliver upgrades to fire and safety systems and access improvements, and now with the support of Adelaide Festival Centre Trust, we will be undertaking further improvements to the three theatres.

“Her Majesty’s Theatre will remain open throughout with a continuous program of events for people to enjoy.

“We are ensuring that Adelaide Festival Centre continues to be at the heart of arts and culture in South Australia for a long time to come.”

Adelaide Festival Centre Trust Chair, The Hon. Karlene Maywald: “With the SA government’s infrastructure project announcement made late last year we have determined that this period will be timely for further upgrades to be made at Adelaide Festival Centre.

“These upgrades will ensure that Adelaide Festival Centre continues to contribute to South Australia’s economic, cultural and social fabric for many years to come.”

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM: “Following the government announcement earlier this year, we saw this as an opportunity to reinvest in Adelaide Festival Centre and make some timely improvements. 

“While these upgrades are taking place, we will utilise the redeveloped Her Majesty’s Theatre and activate locations across Adelaide to continue to bring arts, education and entertainment to all South Australians.

“We appreciate the continued support of all our partners, patrons and staff and believe these upgrades will ensure this iconic building will continue to be enjoyed by future generations to come.” 

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