Mercury Rising | Ready to rock - add investors!

So this is what happened!

Last Saturday saw 87 supporters for the re-establishment of the Mercury theatre demonstrate their active commitment on K' Rd and in front of the theatre for a the flashmob style photo shoot.

Numerous other people sent messages of support knowing that they were unable to attend on the day and the event sparked greater interest in the campaign and a flurry of media activity, which continues.

Many took the opportunity to sign up to the campaign and to express their hopes for the Mercury on the shopping lists provided.

The Broader achievement

In fact thousands of people throughout the country and way beyond our shores read the press releases and articles and heard the Radio New Zealand Arts on Sunday interview about the campaign all of which will help to raise awareness and make it a slightly easier job to approach further supporters and potential funders.

Richard Howard (umm.. that's me) began the day on Beresford square where supporters gathered, with a short address about the campaign and the clear compelling cases for re-establishing the theatre for performing arts presentation, after which the crowd processed to the Mercury for theatrical antics and photos (which will appear on the Mercury Rising Campaign page on The Big Idea and Facebook once they have been formatted).

The theatre tour

And, we took a look inside the theatre. Many people reported to me that they were blown away by what they saw, the fresh bright colours, the Edwardian features, the stained glass and tiled floors and the broad open stage begging to be loved again. Some people had memories of the theatre as being such a cavernous, unwieldy sort of space and were surprised to see that actually it is a very intimate, focused space with great acoustics and a warm encompassing atmosphere The Mercury is in great shape - which is what we have been telling people all along!

Appreciation

A really big thank you to all of you who participated and all of you who wanted to be there; the day was so enjoyable playing "low level media stars", catching up with old buddies and new people, sharing ideas and information over coffee and moving the campaign out of the virtual realm into the human dimension.

Who turned up?

Where else would one have meet such a dynamic mix of Aucklanders; among the many the great grandson of Edward Bartley, the architect of the Mercury theatre, along with Don McCrae a founding Auckland theatre trust board member and architect for the late 60's renovation of the theatre; who provided short histories of the building. Professor Nicholas Tarling also a huge supporter and board member of the old Mercury company turned out and Rod Oram business commentator and broadcaster.

Among the theatrical throng I note the support of Grant Bridger, Elisabeth McCrae, Teresa Woodham, Bruce Hopkins, Allison Quigan, the members of the Jesters company and a bevy of young, up and coming performers some of whom have expressed to me a regret that they were not around to be part of the the heyday of the Mercury company. Susan Jordan long associated with the dance community and DANZ North came to express her support no doubt understanding that Mercury could once again support high quality dance performance. It was good to see Elizabeth Whiting (costumier to the stars) and Eisabeth Vaneveld director of the Big idea and the ART Venture programme who is also an avid support of Q theatre and many development projects; as are we!

I also acknowledge the support of numerous local residents and business owners and supporters from farther a field - thank you for making the effort.

So we now have a range of images to work with expertly shot by Andrew Malmo (theatre producer, lighting designer and photographer) and Craig Howard (producer, photographer, cameraman and director - Shooter Films) thank you to you both.

So what's next:

* A series of discussion and design opportunities will be arranged to enable you to have input into models for managing and programming the Mercury and broader issues facing the performing arts - time and venue to be announced soon.

* Further awareness of the campaigns work and objectives to be generated via the internet, the print and broadcast media

* Liasion with Auckland Council and submissions to the venue assessment update continue

* Approaches to possible high-level funders will be expanded.

* A scheme for smaller funders to pledge support will be finalised and announced.

* Funding to increase campaign leadership capacity and to professionalise the campaign will be explored.

* An interim trust /banker facility will be arranged.

Assistance is required: are any of these voluntary roles of interest to you?

* Skilled people are required to form a campaign reference group

* Design work for a small range of media projects

* Funding application writers

* IT expertise required

* Database management required.

* PR/communications support

* Business case development assistance

* Introductions to people who may be financially qualified to assist the campaign.

Please keep in mind that there is no guarantee at all at this stage that the acquisition of the Mercury will be achieved for performing arts programming; :"other interests" are also focussed on the Mercury. Our approach is nevertheless to continue to explore and promote the possibility to you and those with the capacity to make a positive outcome for the performing arts and the people of Auckland a solid reality. Acquisition of the theatre is the priority but preparing for that possibility is also important so let us plow ahead.

Re-establishing the Mercury as a venue is not just about the need for 'funky' performing arts space it is an important business, cultural, community and city development opportunity awaiting vision, courage and investment!

Richard Howard

For Mercury Rising Campaign

021 0241 1477

P.O. Box 8410

Symonds Street

Auckland