Marian Street Theatre
The history of Marian Street Theatre
The Marian Street Theatre is located in Killara and has a long history since its construction as a community hall in 1906. Following its development as a theatre in 1965, it played a significant role in the area’s cultural life as a staple of the North Shore theatre scene. It is fondly remembered by former patrons and theatre lovers across Sydney.
When Northside Theatre Company ceased trading in 2001, the Marian Street Theatre for Young People occupied the building, presenting plays and providing theatre tuition for young people. Ku-ring-gai Council continues to be a strong supporter of the Marian Street Theatre for Young People, providing annual grant funding and other support.
Marian Street Theatre was closed due to public safety concerns in December 2013.
In 2018 Council resolved to undertake renewal of the theatre and to allocate funds to the project in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan. Council staff have since carried out investigation into the state of the building followed by design work and the development application to reopen the building. The DA was approved in August 2021.
The vision for the new theatre
The renovated MST will focus on building a vibrant, multi-use arts venue with a strong focus on drama. The vision is set out below:
“MST will be Ku-ring-gai’s innovative new community performance space. It will provide a stage for a diverse range of expressive entertainers, from professional artists to talented community performers, who will deliver a program of stimulating and engaging productions for the community.
As well as a theatre experience visitors will enjoy café facilities and multi-purpose spaces, all connecting sensitively with the surrounding natural environment. MST will honour its live theatrical traditions.
The focus will be on content diversity, which will include live performances, musical experiences and new productions. Our goal will be promoting creativity, originality and inclusivity for anyone who enjoys the delight of great live performances.”
The project vision is further emphasised as:
“The new image for a ‘theatre’ is that of a community living room – a place that is open as needed and always active - with informal programming, a variety of live performance genre, and an atmosphere that is buzzing and welcoming. New spaces have enlarged lobbies where high quality drinks and snacks are available for sale over longer periods of time. These spaces are informal but physically attractive and inclusive in the ways they are designed and animated. They are warm and inspirational - welcoming a variety of live performance media and diverse audiences - rather than one-dimensional, cold and institutional, thereby inviting the community to interact.”
Key components
Multiple rehearsal and performance spaces have been carefully selected to build a ‘theatre eco-system’. These are:
- a main theatre auditorium space with 249 seats
- a smaller experimental theatrette space with 63 seats
- an acoustically resonant rehearsal space with 60 seats on flat floor
- a flexible community space
- a commercial cafe
- a main foyer space with connection to the main auditorium and
- an outdoor amphitheatre, which connects the cafe through to the park and existing children’s playground.
Community consultation
Consultation with the community and theatre experts has occurred on numerous occasions with regard to the future of live theatre in Ku-ring-gai.
Specific to this project, Council established a Marian Street Theatre Committee Reference Group. The reference group consisted of Councillors, members of the Save Marian Street Theatre Committee, theatre and arts cultural specialists, and members of the community. This committee had a role in informing the direction and outcomes of the rejuvenated theatre.
An event day was also held in Selkirk Park on Sunday 17 November 2019 to inform the broader community of progress and design of the project.
Further community consultation was undertaken as part of due process through public notification of the DA.
Updates
At the OMC of 12 December 2023, Notice of Motion NM.1/1 (S10577/5) by Councillors Lennon and Ward was put for consideration by Council. This NoM was deferred for consideration to the OMC on 20 February 2024, where it was adopted.
The NoM calls for a report to Council on the costs of the minimum repairs, maintenance, and other work necessary to re-open the Marian Street Theatre as a functional theatre in the form it was before closing, complying with current building code requirements.
At the OMC of 16 July 2024, a report was presented to Council – Marian Street Theatre Killara – Building condition.
The purpose of this report was to advise Council on the costs of the minimum repairs, maintenance, and other necessary works to re-open the Marian Street Theatre as a functional theatre in the form it was before closing, complying with current building code requirements.
Based on the preliminary inspections, it is considered that the existing condition of the Marian Street Theatre requires rectifications and major upgrades across its structure, fire safety systems, access and egress, electrical systems, plumbing and drainage systems and building code compliance generally, for it to be in a condition to operate in the future.
On consideration of the matter, Council resolved:
- Council notes the Hydromedial Consulting Group Feasibility Report for Marian Street Theatre included in the papers for the July 2024 ordinary council meeting, which suggested a range of approximately $7 million to approximately $15 million for the likely costs of a minimalist re-opening of the Marian Street Theatre.
- Council affirms Council’s support for Development Application DA 0144/20.
- Council notes that Development Application DA 0144/20 requires substantial commencement by 19th August 2026 to remain valid.
- Staff report to Council on the likely costs and timetable to redevelop the Marian Street Theatre in accordance with Development Application DA 0144/20 and the actions to be taken to achieve substantial commencement by 19th August 2026 in order to preserve the development consent.
Council staff are currently preparing a report on resolution # 4 which will be presented to the OMC later in 2024.
Enquiries
9420 4488 or info@mstyp.org.au.
Find out about Marian Street Theatre for Young People's classes.