Marty Adnum is the Founder and Managing Director of Out of the Square Media, a proudly Newcastle born and based creative agency.
Out of the Square (affectionately known as OOTS) was established by Marty in 1997 and has grown in to a leading regional agency with its heart still firmly in the Hunter. OOTS through its strategic, creative and production skills caters to a wide variety of clients from the well-established to emerging start-ups. Beyond this core work, OOTS is also known as a relentless proactive advocate for the city and region.
Through their Newcastle Inspired, Region Ready and Experience Hunter passion projects they continue to showcase the benefits of the region. These efforts have seen them acknowledged as Newcastle Business Club’s Organisation of the Year and the Hunter Business Awards Winner for Contribution to the Region. They have also been the City of Newcastle Drama Awards major supporting partner for the last 7 years, going over and above to ensure the local performing arts community is well supported.
Why is supporting the Victoria Theatre important to you?
“I believe in the preservation of our significant local history and the showcasing of the incredible talent this region has – the Vic ticks both these boxes. Together we can ensure the oldest still standing theatre building in NSW is preserved and restored, leading to another quality venue complimentary to the majestic Civic Theatre for our incredible local talent and visiting artists to perform.”
How do you think reviving the Victoria will positively impact Newcastle?
“The Vic is a crucial piece of the much larger cultural and performing arts picture vital to the growth of the city and region. For our city to truly evolve and flourish, arts, creativity and innovation are paramount. The Vic sits beautifully between the Civic Playhouse and Civic Theatre’s seating capacity and geographically with developments within the East End it cements that area as a much needed true performing arts precinct. The team behind the Vic’s revival are empathetic to both of these and should be commended on their significant efforts and focus to date.”
What do you look forward to seeing at the Victoria Theatre?
“The official opening night!!! Followed by many successful years of ongoing performances from local talent, national and international artists alike.”
Founding Ambassadors
The Founding Ambassadors are ten leaders from across the Hunter and the live performance industry who recognise the significance and importance of returning the Victoria as a working heritage theatre to the Hunter community. They have committed significant financial resources to take the next major strategic step in the revive the Victoria Theatre campaign.
A big public thank you to all of the Founding Ambassadors for their support and commitment.
https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2020/08/27/victoria-theatre-another-step-closer-to-renovation/
We are delighted to announce that the DA for the Victoria Theatre has been approved by the City of Newcastle.
This is a momentous milestone and provides a blueprint for the Victoria Theatre's revival and ongoing operation as a working heritage theatre for generations to come.
With the DA approved, the Victoria Theatre is now best positioned out of all the remaining NSW heritage theatres, including the Minerva (Metro) Theatre in Potts Point, the Roxy in Parramatta, the Regents in Mudgee and in Wollongong, to be returned to its original use as a place of public entertainment. With Century as theatre-beneficent owners committed to returning the Vic to full live performance use, and well placed to bring quality acts to the Victoria's stage as soon as the works are finalised, the campaign for financial support to fund the revitalisation is now all the more potent.
Ahead of all other potential NSW theatre revivals, the Victoria is a 'shovel ready' fully realisable project; the one-off, once only capital injection required is modest (in comparison to a new theatre build) and no further funding will be required. Theatres bring enormous economic flow on to surrounding businesses and the Victoria Theatre will bring people back to the city centre, it will grow new jobs and boost the Hunter’s collective live performance and tourism infrastructure.
Today we'll celebrate this win; and tomorrow, we'll escalate the campaign to seek support and investment to help bring the Victoria Theatre back to life.
Cameron Hoy is the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Ticketing for TEG.
Cameron is responsible for the ticketing, technology, Client Services, e-commerce, marketing and product innovation teams across TEG.
Cameron has 30 years’ senior executive experience in the technology, e-commerce, media and entertainment industries as a senior executive in major Australian companies. Cameron joined Ticketek Australia in 2007, rising to the role of Managing Director.
TEG is a global integrated Live Entertainment, Ticketing and Technology company. TEG is based in Sydney, Australia, has more than four decades’ experience in ticketing and promotion and operates worldwide out of seven country offices.
TEG includes TEG Dainty, TEG MJR, TEG Van Egmond, TEG Experiences, Qudos Bank Arena, Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Eventopia, Softix, TicketCharge, TicketWorld, Ticketek Singapore, TEG Analytics, TEG Insights and TEG Digital.
Why is supporting the Victoria Theatre important to you?
“The Mighty Vic is a beautiful theatre with storied heritage dating back almost two centuries. TEG and Ticketek are thrilled to support its glorious revival.”
How do you think reviving the Victoria will positively impact Newcastle?
“The Vic will raise spirits by attracting unbeatable live arts and entertainment to Newcastle, supporting a vibrant arts community and putting the romance back into going to see a show.”
What do you look forward to seeing at the Victoria Theatre?
“An acoustic performance by Silverchair.”
Founding Ambassadors
The Founding Ambassadors are ten leaders from across the Hunter and the live performance industry who recognise the significance and importance of returning the Victoria as a working heritage theatre to the Hunter community. They have committed significant financial resources to take the next major strategic step in the revive the Victoria Theatre campaign.
A big public thank you to all of the Founding Ambassadors for their support and commitment.
https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6819462/heritage-council-gives-green-light-for-victoria-theatre-restoration/
Catherine Henry is a well-known and highly respected health and aged care lawyer with more than 30 years’ experience in this specialist field of law. She is in demand as a media commentator on legal issues and is regularly approached for interviews on local and regional radio on issues involving health law and on aged care reform.
Catherine regularly undertakes community legal work, both for individuals and groups, and has been involved in several important community campaigns.
Catherine Henry Lawyers boasts an award-winning team that are recognised experts in all areas of health and relationship law – including medical, family and elder law, as well as wills and estate planning, and property buying and selling.
Catherine Henry Lawyers is highly-regarded by its clients and the community alike for its commitment to providing high quality legal representation to receive the best possible outcome, for supporting the communities in which we live and for its work in assisting the vulnerable to gain access to justice.
Why is the Victoria Theatre important to you?
I believe in preserving heritage and encouraging the arts is essential for thriving communities.
How do you think reviving the Victoria will positively impact Newcastle?
Reviving the Victoria will provide greater community connections for local artists and a venue of significance and inspiration to showcase their creative talents. It gives the community more access to high quality music, dance, and theatre productions to celebrate fine arts and build social cohesion.
What do you look forward to seeing at the Victoria Theatre?
I love opera – having been involved in choral music for many years both in Sydney and here in the Hunter - and I am looking forward to enjoying extraordinary live performances here in Newcastle.
The Victoria Theatre Founding Ambassadors are ten leaders from across the Hunter and the live performance industry who recognise the significance and importance of returning the Victoria as a working heritage theatre to the Hunter community. With their significant financial investment, we are able to take the next major strategic step to revive the Victoria Theatre.
We are delighted to introduce Mark Alexander and the team at Crosbie Wealth and thank them for their support.
Mark is a multi-award-winning private client adviser specialising in wealth management strategies, superannuation and estate planning for successful business owners, professionals and executives.
With more than 25 years of advisory experience, Mark has acquired a gift for explaining complex strategy in simple terms to make sure his clients genuinely understand matters affecting their money. He is a Director of Crosbie Wealth and is a Certified Financial Planner with a Master of Business Administration. Mark is a very proud father of three teenage girls and loves spending leisure time on and around Lake Macquarie, and when possible hosting clients and special guests at a live show.
Crosbie Wealth began when the partners of Crosbie Warren Sinclair – a successful accounting and advisory group based in Newcastle, NSW and founded in 1964 – recognised the need for a standalone financial planning division that could provide guidance to its longstanding wealthy clients.
For a quarter of a century Crosbie Wealth has helped successful families, independent retirees, professionals, and business owners build, manage and preserve their wealth and realise their financial dreams. Crosbie Wealth’s highly-acclaimed wealth management services have benefited hundreds of successful individuals, with a total advised asset pool well more than half a billion dollars. They provide highly-personalised and trusted advice and support in the areas of wealth creation and growth, retirement planning, estate planning and risk insurance.
Why is supporting the Victoria Theatre important to you?
Supporting community initiatives and local business is a fundamental value at Crosbie Wealth. We are proud to be a part of economic and cultural developments throughout the Newcastle Hunter Region. The re-opening of the Victoria Theatre will reinvigorate our CBD, delivering world class shows and entertainment.
How do you think reviving the Victoria will positively impact Newcastle?
Many will recall when Newcastle’s CBD was the heart and soul of entertainment and retail in our city. Reviving the Victoria Theatre, along with other exciting developments, will re-establish the CBD as the lively cultural hub that the Hunter community remembers and deserves.
What do you look forward to seeing at the Victoria Theatre?
We look forward to the new and exciting entertainment scene that will come with the revival of the Victoria Theatre. With music, dance and theatre performances from artists both local and abroad, the Victoria is sure to inspire our community and attract crowds back to the heart of our majestic city.
A big thank you to Mark and the Crosbie Wealth team from all at the Victoria Theatre.
MCA is proudly Australian and one of our country’s leading specialist insurance and financial services providers. At MCA Insurance Brokers you will find personalised, one-to-one service and the highest quality advice from our passionate team who have a combined total of over two hundred years of experience.
MCA is dedicated to upholding the values of integrity, professionalism, and best practice. MCA are members of Steadfast and the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA). MCA Insurance Brokers are the preferred insurance supplier to Live Performance Australia © ™.
We all know ‘there’s no business like show business’, which is why MCA can offer tailor-made packages to suit the ever-increasing demands of the industry. When you trust in us at MCA, you will be presented with a thorough risk assessment from the outset and we will deliver valuable advice to ensure that you are completely covered.
Why is supporting the Victoria Theatre important?
MCA Insurance Brokers have proudly supported the Live Performance Industry for over 30 years and deeply appreciate the industry’s positive cultural, social and economic impacts. We were excited to learn how both local community and entertainment industry leaders are getting behind reviving the Victoria Theatre and the opportunities it will bring to Newcastle and Hunter.
How do you think reviving the Victoria will positively impact Newcastle?
In Victoria we see firsthand how combined public and private investment in the revival of historic theatres has driven growth. The combination of an industry leader like Century Venues operating a revived Victoria Theatre will not only bring great shows, there will be major flow on to many surrounding businesses.
What do you look forward to seeing at the Victoria Theatre?
All of us at MCA Insurance love live shows, from comedy to concerts to musical theatre. We hear the Victoria with its historic interior will be fabulous for functions and cabaret.
The campaign to revive the Victoria Theatre stepped up significantly when an extraordinary group, the Founding Ambassadors, committed their support. The Founding Ambassadors are ten leaders from across the Hunter and the live performance industry who recognise the significance and importance of returning the Victoria as a working heritage theatre to the Hunter community.
An initiative of the Victoria Theatre’s Campaign Cabinet, Founding Ambassadors committed resources to take the next major strategic step in the revive the Victoria Theatre campaign.
This includes completing a new business case for a fully operational theatre, commissioning an economic impact assessment, and engaging leading advocacy firm, Premier State. Combined, these initiatives are progressing the compelling case to the highest levels of government to fund the revival of the Victoria Theatre.
A big public thank you to all of the Founding Ambassadors for their support and commitment. We look forward to profiling each Ambassador over the coming months.
In alphabetical order, the Founding Ambassadors are:
Peter Evans & Associates Solicitors
Richard Owens Family
Schwarzler Nicholson Family
Theatre and live entertainment company Century Venues has lifted the curtain on designs for the revitalization of the oldest theatre building still standing in New South Wales. Read on here.
The company that plans to re-open Newcastle's historic Victoria Theatre as a performance space said it will need "major additional funding" from government and private sources before the doors open. Read on here.
Century Venues is preparing to lodge a DA for Newcastle’s Victoria Theatre.
The state’s oldest threatre still standing will be transformed into something like this…
“The Victoria theatre will be renovated through a light touch, what we want is to preserve is the historic fabric as you see it now,” said Daniel Ballantyne from DSquared Consulting and Century Venues. Read on here.
With Century Venues set to lodge a development application with the City of Newcastle for revival of the State’s oldest standing theatre, Victoria Theatre, the call has been made for the private sector, government and community to collaborate on delivery of significant cultural infrastructure in NSW. Read on here.
Century Venues hope $11.5 million can be raised from the government, private and community sectors to fund the restoration of Newcastle's iconic Victoria Theatre. Read on here.
MEDIA RELEASE
Embargoed until: 8am on 9.10.19
TIME FOR PRIVATE SECTOR, GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO CREATE NEW CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
State’s oldest theatre ready for full revival
With Century Venues set to lodge a development application with the City of Newcastle for revival of the State’s oldest standing theatre, the call has been made for the private sector, government and community groups to collaborate on delivery of significant cultural infrastructure in NSW.
The development application details a complete and historically sympathetic refurbishment of the magnificent Victoria Theatre. The State heritage listed building on Perkins Street, in the heart of Newcastle, dates back to 1891, making it one of the oldest theatres in Australia.
Remarkably, while it has stood neglected for decades, it is virtually intact and imminently suited for revival as a major live performance venue. In early 2015, this major cultural asset was saved, thanks to a lastminute rescue bid by Century Venues.
Commenting on the DA submission, Executive Director of Century Venues, Greg Khoury, said: “It is a significant milestone on the journey to revive the Victoria Theatre and provides the blueprint to reopen the building as a fully compliant, working heritage theatre for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter. We have come this far with the encouragement and support of Newcastle City Council and the Victoria Theatre Campaign Cabinet: a group of Newcastle business, cultural and community leaders who are working alongside Century. The energy and commitment in the Hunter are palpable and invigorating.
“We engaged Scott Carver Architects to imaginatively and creatively realise The Victoria's potential. The brief was to touch the building fabric as lightly as possible, to preserve its remarkable heritage values, while ensuring the greatest functional flexibility, accessibility and amenity for artists and patrons alike in the 21st Century. We are immensely proud of the final concept they have produced and believe it, beyond question, represents best use for this tremendous cultural asset.
“Compared to the investment required to build from scratch a facility of this scale, offering up to 1,000 capacity, the revival of The Victoria is incredible value for money. It is low-hanging fruit in terms of returning to use a unique and highly desirable piece of our cultural history, quickly and affordably. While Century’s acquisition of the building means it is secure, the theatre has a long way to go before becoming an operational live performance venue,” said Mr Khoury.
Consultant Daniel Ballantyne commented that: “A full revival of the Victoria Theatre will need an estimated $11.5 million, which is well beyond a justifiable commercial investment. With this in mind, Century is prepared to place the building into a not-for-profit trust to enable pursuit of all potential fundraising opportunities. This will also ensure this great cultural asset is protected in perpetuity for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter.
“To date, Century has invested $750,000 to ensure the building remains safe, stabilised and accessible and is willing to commit significant funds to help realise the restoration. However, for the theatre to become fully operational, it will require major additional funding from both government and private sources committed to realising the vision seen in our development application.
“Once restored, the building will not need ongoing operational subsidy and Century has the experience necessary to operate it as a viable theatre for the people of Newcastle,” said Mr Ballantyne.
“There is a well-researched business case and fantastic and growing support from the community for a revived Victoria Theatre. With the architectural vision realised with this DA, it is now time for public and private entities to come together and accelerate progress towards full revival of the oldest theatre in the state: The Mighty Victoria,” concluded Mr Khoury.
ends
ABOUT CENTURY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Century is one of Australia’s leading entertainment businesses, with more than 30 years’ of experience specialising in venue management, live events and touring, and artist representation. The company operates and manages a wide array of Sydney’s best live entertainment venues, including the iconic Enmore Theatre, Metro Theatre, The Comedy Store, Factory Theatre, The Concourse and the Manning Bar. Hosting more than 1500 events per year across these venues, we accommodate a range of diversified activities, earning a reputation for the highest standards in marketing, event services and delivery. Century’s producing arm presents a range of major events, tours and festivals throughout the year.
When the Victoria Theatre in Newcastle opened in 1891, the audience was entertained with musical comedy and performances inside a prime example of Victorian theatre architecture. Watch the video here.
The Victoria Theatre in Newcastle as seen in an archive photo and through a VR lens.
Tim Crakanthorp’s announcement of $3m pledged to the renovation of the Vic is a ground-breaking and game changing move:
It unlocks a valuable cultural facility that is also a much-loved heritage item and one of the few remaining heritage theatre buildings in the country available for reinvigoration;
It gives further credibility to the already overwhelming and universal desire to see the Vic returned as a working heritage theatre;
It unlocks the power, economy and value of a collaboration between government and a specialist and successful private sector operator in Century Venues. Century has a strong cultural conscience and a demonstrated ability and passion for heritage theatre buildings;
The pledge is a third of the money needed to get the Victoria Theatre up and running again. Even if the whole amount were pledged, $9.5M would create a working theatre in a prime location that would cost from scratch $60M to $80M;
The funding is a one-off capital investment that does NOT require recurrent government funding. The future operation will be self-sustaining. Government is great at providing assets: it does not need to be encumbered by having to run them and sustain them into the future;
Century is prepared to “gift” the theatre into a non-profit trust that would have a public purpose to hold and maintain the Victoria building in perpetuity as a working heritage theatre. Rent from the operations to the Trust would secure maintenance costs into the future;
There are models overseas where this type of initiative, relationship and governance structure exist. The Regal Theatre Perth parallels this trust model.
