WHEN Orange Civic Theatre was built in 1976, it was ahead of its time.
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More than 40 years on, Orange City Council is considering bringing it back up to date.
The council has flagged a possible $6 million expenditure in 2023 to upgrade the theatre.
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Council spokesman Allan Reeder said while it was still a fantastic regional venue, it needed work to ensure it met the needs of leading touring companies.
"Major ballet companies for instance need much wider backstage wings than we can offer," he said.
"The height of the roof over the stage is no longer able to meet the demands for contemporary-sized backdrops that touring companies use."
A second, smaller rehearsal and performance space might also be considered for more intimate shows.
Performing arts manager Michelle Pearce said $1.50 from each ticket sold was saved for capital works.
She said the closure due to coronavirus would have an impact although it remained unclear how significant it would be until it more information came to light on how long restrictions would last.
"With performance shifting, it means other things can't be booked in," she said.
While performances by Circus Oz and Bell Shakespeare had been cancelled because rehearsals were not possible, Ms Pearce took heart from the number of people happy to keep their tickets for postponed performances, estimating a 5-10 per cent refund rate.
"We've shifted 27,000 tickets, what that is in dollars, I don't know," she said.
"It's heartening to know people want to come to the theatre."
The planned funding still hinges on the updated draft budget - it was flagged in the original draft last week, but councillors did not vote it through to public exhibition pending some changes.
It also relies on securing government grant support, however $25,000 could be spent next financial year on research and design options.
The draft will be considered on May 12.
SHOULD THE THEATRE BE UPGRADED?
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