Adelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre rooftop level has been revealed featuring the new Ian and Pamela Wall Gallery and Pickard Terrace.
The two spectacular spaces have been made possible thanks to generous donations to Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation by South Australian philanthropists Ian and Pamela Wall and Gordon Pickard.
The reveal was celebrated last night by invited guests at a special event being held on Her Majesty’s Theatre stunning al fresco rooftop terrace, with a view, along with the launch of the first exhibition in the new gallery, titled Making of The Maj.
The new Ian and Pamela Wall gallery will become the designated home to Adelaide Festival Centre’s Performing Arts Collection, starting with the first exhibition featuring historic images, memorabilia, architecture plans, video and décor celebrating the recent $66 million redevelopment and 108 years of performing arts history of the transformed Her Majesty’s Theatre.
“The Ian and Pamela Wall Gallery and The Pickard Terrace are the jewels in Her Majesty’s Theatre’s Crown,” said Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Manager Philanthropy, Abbie Taylor.
“Giving Adelaide Festival Centre’s spectacular Performing Arts Collection a brand-new home and a fabulous rooftop terrace for theatre goers to enjoy pre-shows, during intervals and for functions.”
“We are grateful to both Ian and Pamela Wall and Gordon Pickard for their enduring belief in the arts – this project would not have been possible without them and their tremendous support,” said Ms Taylor.
The Performing Arts Collection was established by Premier Don Dunstan in 1979 with the aim to preserve, record and display the significant contributions South Australians have made on stage and behind-the-scenes to theatre, opera, music, dance, musical theatre, film, and circus.
Over the last forty years the collection has evolved to become one of the most important and comprehensive performing arts collections in Australia and now comprises over 100,000 objects from artworks, to design, architecture, to textiles, archives and event files dating back to 1858.
It holds significant collections from Dame Judith Anderson, Sir Robert Helpmann, Australian Dance Theatre, State Theatre Company and State Opera of South Australia.
“We are thrilled to have a gallery space dedicated to the Performing Arts Collection and there’s nowhere more fitting than the historic and much loved Her Majesty’s Theatre,” said Adelaide Festival Centre Senior Exhibitions Curator Charissa Davies.
“With over 100,000 items and memorabilia in the collection there is no shortage of material for a year-round program of exhibitions in this wonderful new space. We hope patrons enjoy the view.”
The Pickard Terrace can be enjoyed by patrons, pre-shows and during intervals and is available to hire for private functions.
The Ian and Pamela Wall Gallery is free to visit and will be open to the public before and during performance times and for special exhibitions during major festivals. For more information visit: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au for details.
Image: The Pickard Terrace and Ian and Pamela Wall Gallery at Her Majesty’s Theatre – photo by Roy Vandervegt