A flash mob of noise and colour is being organised to show support for breathing life back into one of Auckland's oldest-surviving theatres, which has a rich history of nurturing gay performers. The Mercury Theatre, which lies on Mercury Lane at the heart of the K' Rd precinct, was built in 1910. Its admirers argue it that up until its closure in 1988 it was the most successful live theatre venue in the nation. The category 2 historic building now lies in the hands of the Equippers Church, which bought it in 1994 but is now looking to sell. A group which wants the theatre back in the hands of the arts community has started a project entitled Mercury Rising, trying to garner public and council support to buy the venue from the church. In the meantime a cafe has been built in the original K' Rd entrance to the building. Mayor Len Brown has commissioned an update of a 2008 study into the city's overall theatre needs, which will include the proposal to buy back the Mercury Theatre. Richard Howard was a performer at Mercury Theatre and Theatre Corporate in the late 70s and is among those fighting to revive the venue. "I am mindful of the many gay men and women who played a major role, night after night, year in year out to bring drama, opera, comedy, musical theatre and all manner of art and entertainments to the people of Auckland through the late 60s, the 70s, 80s and into the early 90s before the theatre company folded and the venue closed to the public. "I am equally mindful of the huge social and economic impact the Mercury had on the K' Rd and Newton area long before the first drag queen strutted and gay bars spilled out on to the street with loud music and garish decorations – the Mercury attracted people to fill the shops and provided the before and after show bars." Howard says many people found a place in the theatre, in an era when it was still absolutely illegal to practice homosexual sex anywhere in New Zealand. "And, sometimes queer hell was let loose, on stage and off, at parties and during rehearsals and meetings with every opportunity taken to camp it up right royally, as only thespians can darling; and I am not only talking about the members of the company who were gay." Anyone who wants to help bring the Mercury back to life can offer small and significant pledges of cash, resources and services. In particular, this Saturday there will be a Mercury Supporters Flash Mob Photo shoot outside the theatre in Mercury Lane – meeting by 11am at Beresford Square just off Pitt St – noise and colour are mandatory. Contact Richard to keep in touch or offer support for the campaign: MercuryRisingCampaign@gmail.com
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 3rd February 2011 - 5:21pm