Events at Fortune Theatre, Dunedin, Otago

Events at Fortune Theatre are not currently on sale: the former professional theatre closed in 2018, while its heritage building awaits a new future.

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The Big Lez Show - NZ Tour (Dunedin)

8:00 PM, Thu, 17 Aug 2017

Aug

Fortune Theatre

Dunedin

Events and Programming

Fortune Theatre is no longer presenting events. The theatre company closed its operation on 1 May 2018 after 44 years, and the building at 231 Stuart Street has remained vacant since then. No performances at the Fortune Theatre have been confirmed for 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026, and no reopening season or future programme has been publicly announced as at 15 September 2026.

When it operated, Fortune was Dunedin’s year-round professional theatre company and one of the most important production houses in Otago and Southland. Its programme covered New Zealand comedy, classic drama, contemporary international plays, musicals, family theatre, new writing and touring productions. The company also developed emerging playwrights through commissions, readings and the 4x4 programme.

Its programming identity was strongly associated with locally relevant comedy, particularly the work of Roger Hall. Fortune presented 45 productions of 37 Hall plays, including The Share Club, Four Flat Whites in Italy, Social Climbers, C’mon Black and The Book Club. Other notable productions included Love, Loss and What I Wore, Tribes, the New Zealand premiere of Altar Boyz, and Patrick Evans’s Gifted, which later toured beyond Dunedin.

Fortune’s final planned 2018 season demonstrated the breadth of its usual booking model, combining New Zealand writing, family work, Shakespeare, a women’s performance festival and experimental presentation. The abrupt closure meant that the company could not complete its planned programme and that no further shows were staged under the Fortune name at the building.

There are therefore no current events, recurring nights, concerts, comedy sessions or theatre seasons to attend at this address. Recent Dunedin performances by former Fortune practitioners have taken place in other venues, but those are not Fortune Theatre events.

Tickets and Booking

There are no current Fortune Theatre tickets or active box-office sales. Visitors should not travel to 231 Stuart Street expecting a show, walk-up ticketing or a staffed foyer. The property is listed as private with no public access, and the building is not currently fit for occupancy.

The last published ticket information is historical rather than current. A 2018 booking page listed adult tickets at $42, with early-bird, senior and Community Services Card prices of $34. Those figures should not be used as present-day prices, but they indicate the approximate level of Fortune’s standard mainstage pricing near the end of its operation.

Historically, early booking was useful for the first performances of popular seasons, while subscriptions and concessions helped regular local audiences attend. There is no current presale, membership scheme, exchange policy or box-office timetable. Any future operator would need to establish new prices, ticket channels and accessibility arrangements.

About Fortune Theatre

Fortune Theatre occupied the former Trinity Methodist Church at 231 Stuart Street, on the corner of Upper Stuart Street and Moray Place in central Dunedin. The building began as a church and opened in 1870. It was designed by Robert Arthur Lawson, one of nineteenth-century Dunedin’s leading architects, and is recognised by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as a Category 1 historic place.

The Fortune company was established in the early 1970s and initially worked from a 105-seat theatre space in the Dunedin Athenaeum. It moved into the former Trinity Methodist Church in 1978 after outgrowing the smaller venue. The converted building provided two performance spaces: a main auditorium seating about 230 people and a smaller Studio Theatre seating about 104.

The building was purchased by Dunedin City Council in 2000 after the theatre company found ownership financially unsustainable. Fortune continued as the tenant, but the company closed in 2018 because its business model and premises were no longer financially viable. The council has retained ownership since then.

In 2021, contaminated furnishings were removed and roof work was carried out. Dehumidifiers and environmental sensors were installed in early 2022 after dampness and mould had affected parts of the building. A 2024 condition report found that the property was not fit for occupancy in its existing condition and that substantial upgrading would be required.

In April 2026, council agreed to market the property through a request-for-proposal process. The proposal period opened on 1 July 2026 and closed on 17 August 2026. The process sought ideas for a new use and required prospective purchasers to address heritage protection, building upgrades, safety, funding and long-term community benefit. A confirmed buyer, operator or theatre reopening has not been announced in the public records reviewed.

Seating and Layout

Fortune’s historic layout consisted of two separate auditoria rather than one large flexible hall. The mainstage was the larger theatre, generally described as seating 227 to 230 people, while the Studio Theatre held approximately 104. The studio was intended for more intimate work and was also used for smaller-scale performances and events.

Publicly available records do not reliably provide row numbers, seat maps, stage dimensions, sightline diagrams, rake measurements, VIP areas or general-admission configurations. The venue was described by archived visitors as a small, tiered theatre where audiences felt close to the performers. That intimacy was a characteristic of the former theatre rather than a current seating option.

Older technical assessments identified restricted wing space, difficult production access and sound leakage between the mainstage and studio. Sound from Stuart Street was also listed as a limitation. These constraints help explain why later city studies considered the building unsuitable for a modern flexible mid-sized theatre, even though its compact scale was part of its charm.

Getting There and Parking

The former theatre is at 231 Stuart Street, Dunedin, on the southwest corner of Upper Stuart Street and Moray Place. It sits in the central city, close to the Octagon, but Upper Stuart Street rises noticeably from the central business area. That gradient was identified in earlier assessments as a practical issue for some older patrons.

There is no confirmed Fortune Theatre event parking or venue-owned parking. For a future use of the property, nearby council facilities include Lower Moray Place, Great King Street, Wall Street, Filleul Street and the Dunedin City Library car park. Current council charges vary by location and time; examples for 2025/26 include $3 per hour during weekday daytime at Lower Moray Place and Great King Street, with evening and weekend rates applying in some facilities. Check the signs at the time of parking because central-city charges and opening hours can change.

Public transport is centred on the Dunedin Bus Hub on Great King Street, through which city-bound services operate. From the hub, visitors can walk west towards Moray Place and Upper Stuart Street. The railway station is at the lower end of Stuart Street, so a walk from the station involves travelling through the central city and then uphill towards the former theatre.

There is no current rideshare drop-off procedure, accessible event entrance or late-night transport arrangement for Fortune Theatre because the premises are not receiving audiences.

Inside the Venue

The building is not open for casual interior visits, tours or performances. Heritage New Zealand records the property as private with no public access, and the council’s current information describes it as vacant and not fit for occupancy. The exterior can be viewed from the public footpaths around Stuart Street and Moray Place, but visitors should not attempt to enter.

During its theatre years, the venue had a foyer bar, catering facilities and a compact theatre atmosphere. Historic venue-hire information also referred to a mainstage lighting and sound system, a studio sound desk, microphones, video facilities, a 2.4-metre by 2.4-metre screen, a slide projector and a fully equipped kitchen beside the studio. These are historical specifications, not a confirmation of equipment currently installed or operational.

Archived visitor comments praised the bar, intimate auditorium and close relationship between audience and performers, while one review criticised the location of the toilets. Those comments date from the operating period and should not be read as a description of present facilities.

Nearby Amenities

The site is within central Dunedin’s Octagon, Moray Place and Upper Stuart Street precinct, where visitors historically found restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels, cinemas and other cultural attractions within walking distance. Because Fortune is not staging shows, there is no current recommended pre-show arrival time or official post-show hospitality arrangement.

For a future event at the property, arriving early would be sensible because the building’s former entrance, stairs, toilets and access routes were compact, and the surrounding streets rise steeply. Anyone requiring step-free access would need confirmed arrangements before purchasing a ticket.

What Makes This Venue Special

Fortune Theatre’s defining feature was its adaptive reuse of a nineteenth-century Gothic Revival church. The building retains local bluestone walls, Oamaru stone detailing, pointed arches, bar tracery, pinnacles, buttress angles, a rose window and an octagonal bell turret. Its steep roof, historic stonework and prominent corner position make it one of the more recognisable heritage buildings in central Dunedin.

Heritage New Zealand identifies the conversion from church to playhouse in 1977 as an innovative and successful reuse of a redundant ecclesiastical building. The theatre therefore mattered both as a performance venue and as an example of how historic buildings could be adapted for contemporary cultural use.

Its cultural importance extended beyond the number of seats. Fortune was a launchpad for New Zealand actors, directors, designers and writers, and it gave Dunedin audiences regular access to professional theatre without travelling north. More than 400 main-bill productions were staged during its life, including major new works and productions that later travelled to other New Zealand venues.

The closure created a recognised gap in Dunedin’s cultural infrastructure. Council and arts-sector studies concluded that the city needed a flexible mid-sized performing-arts venue, although the former Fortune building was ultimately discounted for that purpose because it was too small, difficult to adapt and unable to provide enough seating for an economically viable modern theatre.

Visitor Tips and Information

Do not buy a ticket for Fortune Theatre expecting a current performance. There is no active box office, no published 2026 season and no confirmed reopening date. The most important practical detail is that the building is private and vacant, not a functioning public venue.

Accessibility was a longstanding weakness. Earlier venue assessments identified inadequate wheelchair access, parking difficulties and challenges for older patrons. A later feasibility study noted that a lift would be needed to improve access, but installing one would reduce space available for front-of-house and backstage functions. No current accessible entrance, accessible seating, accessible toilet, hearing loop or companion-seating policy has been confirmed.

New Zealand public buildings are assessed under the Building Act, Building Code and relevant access standards rather than a US ADA label. The present public record is more useful than any historic accessibility claim: the property has no public access and its current compliance position relates to its vacant holding state, not operation as an audience venue.

No current rules have been published covering bags, photography, recording, age restrictions, dress, food, drink, merchandise, coat check or mobile connectivity. Those policies would need to be established by any future operator. The heritage exterior is best treated as a public streetscape landmark rather than a visitor attraction with guaranteed interior access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fortune Theatre Dunedin open?

No. Fortune Theatre closed its professional theatre operation on 1 May 2018, and the building at 231 Stuart Street has been vacant since then. Current heritage information records the property as private with no public access. The site is not operating as a theatre, does not have a public foyer and is not accepting audiences for performances as at 15 September 2026.

Are there any Fortune Theatre events in 2026?

No 2026 performances at the former Fortune Theatre have been confirmed in the public records reviewed. The property was offered through a council request-for-proposal process rather than an event programme, with submissions closing on 17 August 2026. That process concerns the building’s future use and does not represent a theatre season or reopening announcement.

Can I buy tickets for Fortune Theatre?

No current Fortune Theatre tickets are on sale because there is no active operator or performance programme. Historical booking information should not be treated as current. If the building eventually reopens under a new operator, it will need to publish new prices, performance dates, booking arrangements, concessions and accessibility information rather than relying on the theatre company’s former policies.

Where was Fortune Theatre located?

The former theatre was located at 231 Stuart Street, on the southwest corner of Upper Stuart Street and Moray Place in central Dunedin. It occupied the former Trinity Methodist Church, a prominent Gothic Revival building near the Octagon. The exterior remains part of the city streetscape, although the interior is not open for casual visitors or self-guided tours.

How many seats did Fortune Theatre have?

The venue had two auditoria. The mainstage was generally described as holding about 230 people, with some historic records giving a figure of 227. The Studio Theatre held approximately 104. Public records do not provide a current seat map, row plan or verified seating configuration, and neither auditorium is presently available for public bookings.

What types of shows did Fortune Theatre present?

Fortune presented professional plays, New Zealand comedy, classic drama, contemporary international theatre, musicals, family productions, new commissions and touring work. Roger Hall comedies were particularly successful, but the company also staged Shakespeare, serious drama, experimental work and productions by emerging New Zealand writers. Its two auditoria allowed for both mainstage seasons and smaller studio performances.

Why did Fortune Theatre close?

The Fortune Theatre Trust announced that it could not continue under its existing business model and premises. The board cited financial non-viability and its responsibility to staff, suppliers and other partners. Earlier council and sector reports also recorded building limitations, accessibility problems, technical constraints and maintenance issues, although the closure announcement emphasised the company’s finances and operating model.

Is the Fortune Theatre building for sale?

Dunedin City Council approved an open-market request-for-proposal process for 231 Stuart Street in April 2026. The process invited proposals for possible future uses and closed on 17 August 2026. It required potential purchasers to consider heritage protection, building safety, restoration costs and community outcomes. A completed sale or confirmed future operator has not been announced in the public information reviewed.

Can I visit inside the former Fortune Theatre?

No regular interior visits are available. Heritage New Zealand lists the property as private with no public access, while council records describe it as vacant and not fit for occupancy in its existing condition. Visitors may view the Gothic Revival exterior from the surrounding public footpaths, but they should not enter the building, knock for admission or expect guided tours.

Is Fortune Theatre accessible for wheelchair users?

Do not assume that it is accessible. Historical assessments identified inadequate wheelchair access and parking, while later redevelopment studies said a lift would be needed to improve access. No current accessible entrance, toilet, seating plan, hearing assistance or companion policy has been confirmed. Because the property is not open to the public, there is currently no visitor accessibility service to book.

What is the nearest public transport?

The nearest major public transport interchange is Dunedin’s Bus Hub on Great King Street, where city-bound services operate. From there, the former theatre can be approached on foot via Moray Place and Upper Stuart Street. The route includes a noticeable uphill section. Timetables and stops can change, so any future event visitor should check the current network information before travelling.

Where can I park near Fortune Theatre?

There is no confirmed Fortune Theatre car park. Nearby council options include Lower Moray Place, Great King Street, Wall Street, Filleul Street and the central library facility. Charges, maximum stays and opening hours vary. Council’s published 2025/26 schedule lists several central facilities at $3 per hour during weekday daytime, with different evening, Saturday and Sunday rates. Always follow the signs on arrival.

What was special about the Fortune Theatre building?

The theatre occupied a former 1870 Methodist church designed by Robert Lawson. Its local bluestone, Oamaru stone decoration, pointed arches, window tracery, pinnacles, rose window and bell turret gave it a strong Gothic Revival identity. Heritage New Zealand regards the conversion from church to playhouse as an important example of adaptive reuse and recognises the building as a Category 1 historic place.

Did Fortune Theatre have a bar?

Yes, historical venue information and archived visitor reviews refer to a foyer bar and catering facilities. The bar was part of the theatre’s social atmosphere before and after performances. There is no current bar service because the building is vacant and not operating as an event venue. Any future bar, licence, food service or interval arrangement would depend on a new operator and redevelopment approval.

What technical equipment did the theatre have?

Historic hire information described lighting and sound equipment in the mainstage, a sound desk in the studio, microphones, video facilities, a slide projector and a 2.4-metre by 2.4-metre screen. It also referred to access to technical staff. Older council research recorded restricted wing space and sound leakage, so these historical capabilities should not be confused with a current production inventory.

How did the closure affect Dunedin’s arts scene?

Fortune had been Dunedin’s only year-round professional theatre company and supported writers, performers, technicians and audiences across Otago and Southland. After its closure, council and arts organisations identified a shortage of suitable mid-sized performance space and began feasibility work on other venues. The loss was therefore both a business closure and a significant change to the city’s cultural infrastructure.

Could Fortune Theatre reopen in the future?

A future cultural or community use remains possible, but no reopening has been confirmed. The 2026 proposal process sought a new use for the heritage property, while council studies found that returning it to a modern economically viable theatre would require substantial work. Any reopening would depend on a new owner or operator, major building upgrades, accessibility improvements, approvals and a sustainable business model.

Events at Fortune Theatre, Dunedin, Otago

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