The Octagon skyline is undergoing a subtle change as construction begins on an extension to Dunedin's Regent Theatre stage house.
Theatre manager Sarah Anderson said another level was being added to the top of the backstage building before the redevelopment of the inside began.
The Regent Theatre Trust believed the upgrade was necessary because the theatre's technical resources were becoming outdated, and it meant productions could bypass Dunedin for Invercargill or Oamaru because it could no longer meet technical or safety aspects of stage production.
Ms Anderson said the inside of the stage house would be stripped following Gin Wigmore's concert in the theatre on October 17.
It would then be redeveloped while it was closed for about eight months.
The new stage area will incorporate a modern 65-line counterweight fly system for hauling stage scenery which will allow the theatre to stage more complex productions.
The redevelopment would also increase the size of the basement and storage areas, provide new dressing rooms, and a larger orchestra pit.
It was hoped the theatre could be reopened by July next year, she said.
The box office and function rooms at the Regent would remain open during the work, she said.
Fundraising for the redevelopment continues with the sale of the old seats in the Regent Theatre.
More than 500 seats are left, and the trust has decided to cut the cost of the seats in half from the initial $50.
"They're not selling very well. We want to make them a little bit more accessible."
