Bathurst's Keystone 1889 undergoing upgrades to modernise main stage

Since last Wednesday, work has been progressing to install new rigging for lighting and curtains, some of which haven't been renovated in the venue's 132-year history.

Keystone owner Trish Carr said the works will allow the venue to deepen it capabilities for hosting events.

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"We're re-rigging the house curtain to bring it up to modern stage requirements, and there'll be three new stage archways to facilitate a variety of lighting configurations," Ms Carr said.

"We want to provide an up-to-date space for local productions and live performance, as well as encourage theatre, dance and music productions looking for a venue to lock in a tour date at."

Ms Carr said the commencement of the stage upgrade is timely considering Bathurst's return to a 'new normal' way of life post-lockdown, as well as the resumption of regional travel.

"We're definitely getting a lot of enquiries from productions looking for a venue, and we're committed to ensuring all their needs are met," she said.

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"With the Carillon Junior Theatrical Society [CJTS] set to do their end of year shows later this month, and the rescheduled Let's Misbehave performances also on the way, we're hoping to have the stage ready to go for these events."

Keystone 1889 is also in the process of attracting more community workshops dedicated to the arts and various other cultural activities.

National Institute of Dramatic Arts [NIDA] trained instructor Justin Buchta is currently using Keystone's upstairs studio to run drama workshops for adults, which have run over the past five Tuesdays and will continue to run until December 14.

Ms Carr said a key goal for the venue moving ahead is to provide creatives with more opportunities to teach and perform, as well as continued facilitation for private functions.

"We're looking to become a more visible and approachable cultural hub for members of the community to feel comfortable, entertained and educated," she said.

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"It's been a work in progress for quite some time, but now we're looking to have weathered the worst of the pandemic, now's an exciting time to grow and evolve."

For more information, visit the Keystone Facebook page.

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