ODT 22 October 2026 - Plot twist at former Fortune — theatre could be back

It's time for the lights to go back on at The Fortune

A newly established charitable trust is behind the Dunedin City Council’s preferred proposal to revitalise the former Fortune Theatre building at 231 Stuart Street.  Project spokesperson Ted Daniels said the new Fortune Charitable Trust was deeply grateful for the confidence shown by the Mayor, councillors and Council staff for their decision to support the project and entrust the group with the future of one of Dunedin’s best-known heritage buildings.

“We are incredibly thankful for the faith that has been placed in us,” Daniels said. “We sincerely thank the Mayor, Councillors and Council staff for the time they have taken to understand our proposal and believe in what we hope to achieve.”

“For us, this is not simply the end of a Council process. It is the beginning of a very exciting new chapter for The Fortune and for Dunedin.”

The Trust’s vision is to revitalise the historic building as an intimate, accessible and affordable performing arts venue for hire which will seat approximately 200.  There will be additional multi-purpose space on the floor below all available to theatre companies, touring productions, musicians, dancers, comedians, schools, community organisations and other creative groups.

Daniels said the project has always been about more than just preserving a heritage building.

“The building is very important, but it is the people who will bring it back to life,” he said.  “We want the venue to once again become a place where friends gather, where performers feel welcome, where audiences experience something memorable, and where new friendships and connections are made.  We also want to bring people back into the CBD.”

Where it all began

The Fortune Theatre company was co-founded by theatre scholar and director David Carnegie, along with television producers and directors, Alex Gilchrist, Murray Hutchinson and Huntly Elliot in 1973.  They began in the Athenaeum which they quickly outgrew.  In 1978, they moved to Trinity Methodist Church at 231 Stuart Street which became known simply as “The Fortune”. 

When the Fortune closed in 2018, Prof David Carnegie was interviewed by the ODT and said, that he hoped thought and energy would be given to looking at a viable rescue.  It has been eight long years, but this is precisely what the new Fortune Charitable Trust is all about.  Were it not for the vision of the Fortune’s founders, all the memories worth saving might never have been made.

Scope

“We are not trying to create the biggest theatre or a venue that suits every production.  We can’t.  But, with 40 plus years of shows and performances to learn from, we know what the limitations of the building are and we aim to eliminate or mitigate as many as possible to improve the experience for both audiences and performers.” Daniels said. “We want to build on what has always made The Fortune unique — its intimacy, character, atmosphere and the special connection it creates between the audience and the stage.  It has always been a quirky building, but we believe it can be made whole again and brought back to life.”

The Trust will continue consulting performers, directors, producers, schools, arts organisations and other potential users as plans develop.

“We have had and will continue to have careful conversations with the people who will actually hire the venue and shape the revitalisation around expressed needs,” Daniels said.

A community asset

The building will be held by a charitable trust for the benefit of the community.  A separate not-for-profit company has been established and is wholly owned by the Trust.  It will be the trading entity operating the venue for hire.  Trustees receive no financial benefit, and all operating surpluses will be reinvested into maintaining and improving the building, its facilities and the experience provided to performers and audiences.

“The Fortune will not belong to the trustees. It will belong to the people of Dunedin,” Daniels said.  “The trustees’ role will be to look after it, strengthen it and, pass it on to future Dunedin generations in better condition than we received it.”

The Trust’s longer-term ambition is for The Fortune to become recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading intimate performing arts venues and a place visitors actively seek out when they come to Dunedin.

Beyond live theatre, the venue will be available to host music, comedy, dance, school performances, educational workshops, conferences and community events.

The work begins

The trustees acknowledge that significant work will be required before the building can fully reopen, and fundraising will be a major focus.

Initial priorities are expected to include addressing dampness and water-entry issues, improving accessibility, upgrading essential services and safety systems, replacing worn fixtures and fittings, installing comfortable seating, and improving sound, lighting and projection technology.

The work will be staged so the most important improvements can be completed first and the building can return to active community use as soon as reasonably possible.

“We have not minimised the amount of work that lies ahead,” Daniels said. “There will be building challenges, compliance issues, fundraising and detailed design work, but we are very excited and grateful to have the opportunity to begin.  Our intention is to approach the project carefully and responsibly. We do not want to overpromise. We want to do the important things properly and continuously to keep improving the venue as resources allow.”

The Trust’s long-term objective is to keep the venue affordable for performers and audiences while operating sustainably without relying on ongoing Council or government operational funding.

Daniels said the Trust also hopes the project will contribute to the wider central city.

“A successful Fortune will bring people into the city, support nearby businesses and add to the energy and cultural life of central Dunedin.”

A thank you to Dunedin

Daniels said the Trust also wanted to acknowledge the many people who have supported, advised and challenged the project.

“Every conversation has helped make the proposal stronger, and we are very grateful for the encouragement, advice and constructive criticism we have received.  We feel enormously privileged to have been handed this responsibility, and we know that confidence has to be earned through good decisions, transparency, responsible stewardship and a genuine commitment to the community.”

“Our hope is that in years to come, people will walk into The Fortune, enjoy a wonderful performance, meet friends, discover something new and simply feel that this special place belongs in Dunedin. We sincerely thank the Mayor, councillors, Council staff and the wider community for giving The Fortune the opportunity for a new beginning.”