Anita’s Theatre is no stranger to change. On Saturday December18, 1965, when the curtain went down on a double billing featuring Stephen Boyd in “Genghis Khan” and Carl Gonzales in “The Little Ones,” the classic venue, then known as the King’s Theatre, closed its doors after more than 40 years as the main cinema in this seaside village located 60km south of Sydney.
Less than three years after the theatre stopped showing films, all seats were removed a concrete floor was laid in the stalls area, and the venue was reborn as Skateland. In 2007, long after its days as a roller rink had ended, the venerable building began anew again as a multi-purpose live performance venue.
Today, as Anita’s Theatre, the classic-looking site is continuing its tradition of change, having recently become Live Nation’s first regional live music venue in Australia. With this change has come adaptation. Looking to update its lighting rig and enhance its flexibility, the theatre added 28 CHAUVET Professional fixtures imported by Showtools International and installed by Pro Sound and Lighting.
The new rig not only gives the theatre a wider range of lighting options, it also upgrades the level of the shows for the higher-profile acts, such as Richard Marx, Pavement, Peter Murray, and Belinda Carlisle that are appearing there in 2023.
Designed by Pro Sound and Lighting’s John Campbell in consultation with Andre Vanderwert, the new system features 12 Maverick Force S Profiles, which are flown on truss over the audience and positioned on totems, as well as six Maverick MK2 Washes, which, hung on mid-stage truss. Together, these units deliver downlighting, specials, stage washing and aerial effects.
Also in the rig are two STRIKE Array 2 Blinders, flown over the front of the stage and used for audience lighting, as well as six Color STRIKE M fixtures. Positioned on truss totems that run across the width of the stage. These color-rendering motorized strobes fill a variety of roles at Anita’s Theatre, from creating eye-pleasing specials to revving up the crowed with their intense white strobing.
“We choose these fixtures, as they have never let us down in the past, ”said Campbell, who added that the theatre’s updated rig is “keeping our international touring operators and technicians happy!” Judging from the reaction of the crowds who are packing this historic venue every week, the lights are going over very well with fans too!
