Jake Speer (red jacket) performed in and directed the concert. Photo: Neil McAliece.
Leeton-raised actor and filmmaker Jake Speer directed and performed in a spectacular gala concert to celebrate the reopening of the iconic Roxy Theatre at the weekend.
The show celebrated the completion of the first stage of the revamp of the 1930-built art deco building, after many delays and setbacks.
The $12-million renovations included refurbishment of the main auditorium, upgrades to the stage and curtains including the replacement of stage piers, installation of a loading dock, replacement of the raked floor with flat flooring and the addition of retractable seating, new seating in the dress circle, repainting of walls and ceilings, new carpeting, upgraded sound systems, new cinema surround sound and new lighting bars and electronic stage management.
Mr Speer, best known for playing Oscar Maguire in the popular TV soap Home and Away, expressed his appreciation at being part of it.
“After four years of renovations it was a great privilege to head home this week to direct the reopening concert of our Roxy Theatre,” he posted on Instagram.
“A huge thank you to all of the generous performers, crew and volunteers who rallied together to make the impossible happen. An historic moment for regional Australia – a new era for the ROXY and for the next generation of performers, filmmakers and storytellers to dream and build the world of tomorrow.”
This attracted the attention of one of Australia’s best known soap actresses.
“This is brilliant. I’m so happy for you. Congratulations darling. And hello, Roxy,” Georgie Parker posted in response.
The ribbon is cut with Leeton Shire Council General Manager Jackie Kruger, Senator Deborah O’Neill, Mayor George Weston, Member for Murray Helen Dalton MP, Roxy project director Katherine Herrmann and Deputy Mayor Michael Kidd. Photo: Neil McAliece.
The celebratory gala concert showcased Leeton and surrounds’ best soloists, choirs, bands, performers, and dancers in an impressive display of music, artistry and showmanship – many of whom had honed their skills on the Roxy stage in their youth.
They performed in front of representatives and delegates from the government, council, advisors, local trades, project leads, volunteers, and the general community.
“The Roxy redevelopment (stage 1) is a once-in-a-lifetime undertaking that breathed new life into ‘Our Grand Old Lady’ so that she is fit to serve us for another 100 years,” Leeton Mayor George Watson said.
“Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the NSW Government and Australian Government for their generous support. Their investment has delivered a regionally significant project of which we can all be proud.”
The project also delivered upgrades to accessbility and work, health and safety aspects including lifts to the stage and dress circle, front door access for wheelchairs and hearing augmentation.
There were also improvements such as a refreshed reception area, two new dressing rooms, new toilets, new roof iron, upgraded heating and cooling elements, electrical power upgrades, fire compliance and new plumbing from the ground up.
The upgrades have also enabled the theatre to operate as an evacuation centre for the community during natural disasters.
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