Hamilton's Founders Theatre has urgently closed its doors to all shows because of safety concerns relating to its dangerous flying system.
The Hamilton City Council has shut the theatre - which had 25 show bookings, including Mary Poppins - effective immediately after a report showed the system posed a risk to staff, performers and the general public.
The flying system is crucial to the running of the theatre and holds items such as production lights, drapes, scenery, stage effects and the fire safety curtain.
An independent health and safety report alerted council chief executive Richard Briggs to a "likely risk" of the flying system failing.
The council had previously earmarked $13.8 million in its long-term plan to spend on replacing the system and rebuilding the stage house in 2020/21.
A total of $100,000 was spent on the current business case, which found the flying system was old and dangerous.
Mr Briggs is now waiting on more information about possible interim solutions to extend its life or on whether a major refurbishment is the only option. This will be discussed with councillors at the end of this month.
The Hamilton Operatic Society will be severely impacted by the temporary closure - its performance of Mary Poppins was due to open at the Founders Theatre in May.
Mr Briggs said the council was working with the society and schools to find other venues so no one would be left in the lurch.
These could include the council-owned Claudelands Events Centre, which has been struggling to get enough business, and the Pavilion at the Hamilton Gardens.
He did not know what the cost of cancelling the bookings would be to the council at this stage.
The city council gifted the only other venue in the city with a permanent flying system, Clarence Street Theatre, to a community trust last July.
Mr Briggs said it was possible to hire temporary structures that achieved similar results to a flying system.
"Without a flying system you basically don't have a theatre as such."
