Once again the team at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal is calling out for lovers of live music, independent cinema and the arts to get behind the historic theatre’s annual membership drive and become Loyal Royal members for 2022/23.
Loyal Royals not only get their hands on a coveted Loyal Royal tote bag and discounted film tickets (among other perks), but also provide Theatre Royal owners, Felicity Cripps and Tim Heath, with the means to preserve one of the oldest operating theatres in the southern hemisphere.
Almost 170 years young, there’s a lot required to keep the heritage-listed building in good shape. A strong membership base allows TR to make the improvements necessary to continue as central Victoria’s premier venue for independent cinema and live music.
Theatre Royal has a special place in the heart of many Castlemainians, not only as one of the first Australian ‘picture palaces’ to screen silent movies in 1919 and the ‘talkies’ that followed, but also as the beating heart of the vibrant, artistic community, often the place for local fundraisers and community gatherings.
Membership in 2022/23 will help TR to install 65 new art deco cinema seats upstairs; breath some new life into the B&B behind the stage and present a Summer Series of free events outside in the beer garden.
The TR also aims to upgrade some of the ancient outdoor guttering and pipes, fix the collapsed ceiling area behind the stage and clean up the currently decommissioned area behind the mezzanine upstairs.
“Patrons might not know how special the little B&B space is. Often used as a green room for bands, this small but luxurious accommodation needs some TLC before we can start hiring it out as a historic getaway,” Felicity said.
“We also aim to hold a Summer Series of free events outside in the beer garden each Friday, Saturday and Sunday between November 2022 and March 2023.
“Patrons will be able to grab a drink at the Garden Bar and enjoy a free DJ or live band in the sunshine and if La Niña rears her head the gigs will move inside to the band room.”
Aside from the knowledge that they’re helping to preserve a culturally significant venue for generations to come, members will get their hands on the following membership perks:
Loyal Royals ($100 adult/$30 child) Enjoy discounted cinema tickets, an exclusive Loyal Royal tote bag or other merch, early bird invitations to live events and special screenings, a LR membership card for their wallet, and a subscription to our exclusive Loyal Royal mailing list for special behind-the-scenes updates.
Business Loyal Royals ($150) Enjoy all the perks listed above, plus their business logo added to TR’s list of sponsors, shown on the cinema screen before each film.
Ultimate Royalty ($300) All the good stuff, plus a VIP year-round discount of 15 per cent off at the Lola bottle shop and five free cinema passes.
Sponsor-a-seat ($550) All the perks of a Loyal Royal membership, plus a gold plaque engraved with the name of your choosing on a newly refurbished, art-deco cinema seat.
To find out more how you can become a Loyal Royal in 2022-2023 and ensure a bright future for the Royal visit www.theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au
