All those who supported or pitched in for the Regent Theatre's $7.5 million redevelopment enjoyed a "thank you concert" on Saturday night.
Theatre manager Sarah Anderson said instead of just having a "dry run" they decided to make it into a bigger event with a concert featuring Musical Theatre Dunedin's Music of the Night.
It was the first time the stage, lighting rigs, sound system and seats had been used.
"It was fantastic. There were no technical hitches."
A huge fundraising push was made last year, led by the Otago Daily Times' sister publication, Dunedin community newspaper The Star, to raise the final $2 million needed for the upgrade.
In recognition of that effort, Otago Theatre Trust chairman Mike Shield announced the theatre's circle would be known as the Star circle.
After the concert a function was held with a 20m banquet table running the length of the stage over which 10 chandeliers hung and those attending were able to look at the new facilities such as the dressing rooms and stage set up - "what the money has been spent on".
The theatre opens to the public on August 4 for the 2011 New Zealand International Film Festival.
