History
for general information about Fortune Theatre, what we do and how we got started.
Thirty Years of History
This article was written by Alister McDonald (Fortune Theatre Dramaturg) as a note to commemorate the Fortune Theatre's 30th Anniversary in 2004. Please to download. You can also download the full Fortune Theatre 30th Anniversary booklet , and
Learn About our Founders
Message from Huntly Eliott - Back in 1973, the idea of starting a professional theatre in Dunedin seemed a logical one...read more
World Premieres Held at Fortune Theatre
Over the years Fortune Theatre has presented numerous world premieres. Please to download this comprehensive list
Recent Shows
2014
Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley - download the show programe here.
2014
Book Ends by Roger Hall - download the show programme .
Peninsula by Gary Henderson - download the show programme .
Souvenir by Stephen Temperly - download the show programme .
Jumpy by April De Angelis - download the show programme .
Cat vs Dog by Dan Bain (children’s show)
Lungs by Duncan Macmillan - download the show programme .
The Caretaker by Harold Pinter - download the show programme .
Ladies Night by Stephen Sinclair and Anthony McCarten - download the show programme
2013
Boeing Boeing - by Marc Camoletti, Translated by Beverly Cross - Download show programme
Gifted - by Patrick Evans - Download show programme
Altar Boyz -by Kevin Del Aguila, Music and Lyrics by Gary Adler & Michael Patrick Walker - Download show programme
Why Are My Parents So Boring? - by Dan Bain
Tribes - by Nina Raine - Download show programme
You Can Always Hand Them Back - by Roger Hall - Download show programme
Love, Loss, And What I Wore - by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman - Download show programme
Michael James Manaia - by John Broughton - Download show programme
2012
Calendar Girls - by Tim Firth - download show programme - download show calendar
Heroes - by Gérald Sibleyras, Translated by Tom Stoppard - download show programme
In The Next Room or the vibrator play - by Sarah Ruhl - download show programme -
Two Fish 'N' A Scoop - by Carl Nixon - download show programme -
Red - by John Logan - download show programme -
The Motor Camp - by Dave Armstrong - download show programme -
2011
A Short Cut To Happiness - by Roger Hall - download show programme -
The Little Jester - by Rhys and Jessica Latton
The Truth Game - by Simon Cunliffe - download show programme -
Avenue Q - Music & Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty. Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx - download show programme -
The Tutor - By Dave Armstrong - download show programme
Supernan! - by Carl Nixon
Five Women Wearing The Same Dress - by Alan Ball - download show programme
God of Carnage - by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton - download show programme
The Wonder of Sex - by Patrick Barlow - download show programme
2010
Red Riding Hood - by Roger Hall -
The Pitmen Painters - by Lee Hall, inspired by a book by William Feaver -
Ding Dong - by Marc Camoletti, Translated by Tudor Gates -
The Frog Prince - by Sarah Somerville -
The 39 Steps - by arrangement with Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Limited, by John Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock, Adapted by Patrick Barlow from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon -
Wuthering Heights - by Emily Brontë -
Conjugal Rites - by Roger Hall -
Architecture
The Fortune is housed within the Trinity Methodist Church and is situated on the corner of Upper Stuart Street and Moray Place West, one block above the Octagon. A striking example of the Gothic Revival, the building was opened in 1870, and remained a place of worship until it was remodeled as the Fortune Theatre in 1978. Following the Western European tradition the building’s ground plan is cruciform and in the style of the so-called Latin cross. On the eastern corners are porches with quatrefoil balustrading and over-sized pinnacles crowning the buttresses below. There is an octagonal bell turret flanking the stage door on Stuart Street. The south-western corner has had a small addition to permit access from the basement dressing-rooms to the Mainstage area.
Trinity Methodist Church was constructed using trachyandesite and Oamaru stone – both local materials. The warm white Oamaru stone has been used to create the decorative details in contrast with the deep grey colouring of the main structure. This striking combination was utilised in the construction of many local buildings; notably, the Dunedin Railway Station, which has recently been restored. The architect who designed Trinity Methodist Church was Scotsman R. A. Lawson (1833 – 1902), who was also responsible for designing Dunedin's two major Presbyterian churches; First Church (also located on Moray Place), and Knox Church (located on the corner George and Pitt Streets).
Originally the home of the Fortune was the 105-seat Otago Cine Club theatrette at the rear of the Athenaeum building in the Octagon. However, with the hiring of a full-time acting company in 1977, it became clear that the venue was too small to continue to be viable. The quest for a suitable new venue led to the Trinity Methodist Church in early 1978 and it has been the company's base ever since; with the exception of a two-month spell at the Playhouse, following a fire of 1979. The Fortune Theatre building now carries a "1" classification from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, in recognition of its historic and architectural significance.
