“I walked past it regularly and never knew it was there”, was a recurring comment from neighbours and passers-by of the long running Newcastle Theatre Company in Lambton. The buildings were tired, run-down, muted and lacked the dramatic stage presence of a theatrical venue.

Charged with providing the precinct with street appeal on a stringent budget, Kingston Building recycled, re-clad, repurposed and reimagined the theatre grounds as a performance of colour, collaboration and quality.

The most striking feature, a brightly coloured fence with sliding entry gate, was put together with recycled solid core doors donated and salvaged from yards across the Hunter Region. New sliding barn doors, curved slat screens and a central laneway awning, were finished in flashes of raspberry to compliment the theatres signage. The old and new buildings were re-clad in weatherboard and finished in monument (charcoal) to contrast the statement features.

The front and central laneways were reimagined as a space for pre-performance and intermission, with façade and festoon lighting, tiered timber decks for photos, wall murals, stepped timber seating and waterproofed planter boxes. A skillion awning at the end of the laneway with directional external lighting provided an additional space for informal performances.

Recommencing its productions in September, the new theatre opened to rave reviews and has been very well received within the thespian community.