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With tickets on sale to performances in March, a high point of the opening month of Blenheim's ASB Theatre Marlborough is set to be a performance by renowned opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on 22nd March.

The new multi-use entertainment venue is set to offer two theatres for live performance, performing arts, conferences and events.

Marlborough Civic Trust General Manager Andrew Scott said it was "very exciting" Te Kanawa was performing in the theatre, which was expected to be completed in late February with an official opening set for mid March.

Speaking to local media, Scott added "Dame Kiri's 2016 New Zealand tour includes just six concerts and we're honoured and very excited to welcome her to the ASB Theatre."

Fundraising for the final stages of the $20 million venue has been ongoing in recent month with many locals keen to be part of Marlborough's theatre history.

Marlborough Civic Trust Fundraising Manager Ross Anderson recently advised that more than $6 million rasied. Key to this has been seat sponsorship with people able to sponsor platinum, gold, silver and bronze seats.

Those who take up platinum, gold and silver seat sponsorship get a minimum of 24 hours' advance booking for shows and their names are recorded on the seat back, except for bronze seat sponsors who would receive a wall plaque.

Anderson described the scheme as "incredibly popular", stating “people are getting on board, lots of families are buying seats so they can have their name recorded in Marlborough's history." 

In September, a mystery Marlborough couple announced the donation of the venue’s grand piano, which is due to be installed in the coming weeks.

When operational the new venue will offer a main auditorium with seating for over 700 patrons and an additional studio theatre to seat up to 200 people – with acoustics designed by acoustic consultants Marshall Day.

The venue will also feature elegant public foyers for easy access for the two theatres which will also be used pre and post functions, as public meeting rooms, and to display artworks.

At the back of house will be a green room, dressing rooms for up to 60 people, toilet and bathroom facilities in line with performers’ expectations and disabled access and facilities.

There will be a safe and accessible stage door entrance, a large and spacious scene dock and wing space, and an orchestra pit with automated ease of installing or creating a thrust stage.

For more information go to www.mctt.co.nz

Image shows the venue's 200 seat studio.

30th November 2015 - HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL KEEN TO REOPEN HAWKE’S BAY OPERA HOUSE

3rd March 2015 - BLENHEIM’S NEW ASB THEATRE NEARS COMPLETION

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