Iconic Adelaide theatre gets multimillion-dollar makeover

Adelaide's near-century-old Thebarton Theatre has been given a multimillion-dollar refurbishment. 

The upgrade, eighteen months in the making, is aiming to modernise the facilities while preserving the theatre's heritage.

It has hosted international megastars like Ed Sheeran, Nirvana and Metallica – as well as Australia's own Midnight Oil – but was in need of significant improvements. 

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The theatre was also saved by the community from demolition to make way for the North-South Corridor in 2019.

Now, it's been fitted out with a hydraulic lift and parking off South Road "to enhance the performers' experience where they can get all of their equipment on and off stage so much more simply", local mayor Michael Coxon said.

Architects collaborated with heritage experts to ensure the new additions complemented the existing structure. 

"We weren't competing with the existing building but we were working to enhance it," architect Charles Tindley said. 

The exterior plaza has been renovated and will also serve as a space for artists during the Adelaide Fringe Festival. 

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Second-hand jarrah boards from Western Australia were used to repair the flooring, and an art deco foyer has been added to the eastern side of the building. 

"It acts as a bit of a marker and enhances that Thebby Theatre landmark as you come up Henley Beach Road from the city," Tindley said.

Stage two of the restoration project will include seating upgrades, but loyal guests are hoping the famous "love seats" will remain, so couples can enjoy the arts side by side.

"I think they definitely add to that charm of the theatre," Tindley said.

"It's quite unique, there is no other theatre that I know of that has that sort of feature in it."

The official reopening of the Thebarton Theatre will feature performances by Marcia Hines and Casey Donovan next month.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.