TSB Showplace Theatre

In an effort to further enhance this reputation, the main theatre within the building underwent a 'make-over' of sorts – with the client's brief expressing a desire to give the theatre a more modern, smarter and cleaner ambience.

In referencing both the grandeur of theatre in its golden age and the sumptuousness of the Victorian era – a new paint scheme, curtaining and lighting system has enabled this theatre to confidently enter the 21st century, while still maintaining an air of refined charm.

The first element of the project was to update the areas of the theatre in need of TLC – with basic repair and maintenance work carried out in strict accordance to the theatre's unique characteristics and modernising of systems while ensuring the historical integrity of the building.

In conjunction to the new construction, the key element of the work was to refresh the theatres overall appearance. This has seen a drab dated colour palette replaced with a mix of shades, which includes a strong base foundation of golden hues contrasted with accent colours, such as purple – along with red velvet curtains, simple but elegant chandeliers – and LED lighting within the celebrated soaring dome above, offering a lustre befitting only the grandest of opera houses.

The final result has seen the venue transformed from a place where you go to watch entertainment, to one which is now an integral part of the entertainment experience itself. And as the venue's manager, Nelita Byrne states, the new look gives the theatre a "regal opulence and special characteristics".

Colours used: Resene Black, Resene Bullion, Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, Resene Gold Dust, Resene Jon.

Architectural specifier: Murali Bhaskar, Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Brebner Team Architects
Building Contractor: ICL Construction
Painting Contractor: Greg Brown
Photographer: Chris Hill Photographer
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2011

› Download a PDF of this article