As the Adelaide State Government prepares for the proposed South Road upgrade, the future of Adelaide’s beloved Thebarton Theatre has been called into question.
This morning, Acting Transport Minister David Speirs spoke with the ABC, revealing that between 600 and 1000 buildings in the western suburbs of Adelaide could be compulsorily acquired and removed to make way for the “trickiest section” of the project.
“I’m not going to rule anything in or out,” said Speirs. “But I acknowledge there are a lot of people in South Australia who have an affection for that building and others along that route.”
Thebarton Theatre is one of the most iconic venues in Adelaide and regularly hosts national and international acts. It was first built as a town hall in the late 1920s and just last year was inducted into the SA Music Hall of Fame.
In the last few days, a Change.Org petition has surfaced and at the time of writing, has gained almost 45 000 signatures.
The petition addresses one question to the South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, “where will a band that wants to play to 2000 play now?”
The petition reads, “Not all bands are suited to an outdoor venue. Local bands often support interstate and overseas acts when they tour. Thebarton Theatre also maintains a reasonable admission price for their concerts.”
The venue currently has shows booked for artists like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Architects, Two Door Cinema Club & more.
