No blunder: Council pushing for River Queen premiere - 15/06/2005Staging the River Queen premiere at the Royal Wanganui Opera House has always been the Wanganui District Council's favoured option and there has not been a blunder in the minutes, says Cr Dot McKinnon, Chairperson of the Council's Economic Committee.
"It would be lovely to have the premiere at the renovated Opera House," says Cr McKinnon. "But the reality is that we don't have the funding or the time to get it ready. It took 18 months to prepare the Embassy Theatre in Wellington for the Lord of the Rings premiere."
The Council has asked Sue May, publicist for the River Queen, what the cost would be to make the Opera House suitable for the premiere.
"We are not saying that it must be at the Opera House or else nowhere – and this must be stressed. We are saying that it's our preference but if it doesn't work, the Embassy cinema in town is the only other place to have it. There are good and practical reasons why it should be at the Embassy. It's obviously purpose built, it's close to the river and to the other celebrations associated with the premiere.
"The River Queen premiere is vital for Wanganui's national identity. It provides us with a once in a decade opportunity to showcase our heritage and our city."
Refer to the Wanganui Chronicle's article on the River Queen premiere. |
