位于悉尼库林盖地区的玛丽安街剧院曾濒临关闭，但在社区支持者的努力下迎来了转机。库林盖议会上月投票让该剧院的开发申请过期，使其面临被放弃的命运[1]。然而支持者随即发起红色集会争取复兴，在短短七天内通过众筹成功募集10万澳元[1]，这笔资金达到了保存建筑设计方案所需的目标[1]。库林盖议会周一全票投票扭转此前决定，保持该项目同意有效[1]。
这座建于1906年的剧院见证了逾一个世纪的演艺历史[1]。1966年它成为专业剧院，但在2013年因安全隐患而被迫关闭[1]。改造项目预算在近年大幅上升，从2020年的1500万澳元增至2024年10月的3030万澳元[1]。根据规划，新的剧院将包含两个剧院、音乐空间、社区会议室、咖啡厅、展览大厅和户外圆形剧场[1]。此次众筹共吸引312名捐赠者参与，单笔捐款从10澳元至10000澳元不等[1]。
Sydney's Marion Street Theatre narrowly escaped closure after supporters launched an emergency crowdfunding campaign that reversed a council decision within days.[1] The Ku-ring-gai Council had allowed the theatre's development application to expire last month, effectively placing the venue on course for closure.[1] However, a red rally organized by advocates generated sufficient public momentum to prompt the council to reconsider, with members voting unanimously on Monday to reinstate the project approval.[1]
The turnaround was fueled by an ambitious fundraising effort that exceeded expectations.[1] Supporters raised 100,000 Australian dollars through crowdfunding in just seven days, with 312 donors contributing amounts ranging from 10 to 10,000 Australian dollars.[1] This secured the capital needed to advance the theatre's preservation design plans.[1] The funds were essential for the community to obtain a "Thriving Suburbs Grant," which requires 20,000 petition signatures to be debated by council.[1]
The Marion Street Theatre, built in 1906 and operating as a professional venue since 1966, has been shuttered since 2013 due to safety concerns.[1] The proposed redevelopment envisions a comprehensive cultural facility featuring two theatres, a music space, community meeting rooms, a café, an exhibition hall, and an outdoor amphitheatre.[1] Renovation costs have escalated significantly, rising from 15 million Australian dollars in 2020 to 30.3 million dollars by October 2024.[1]