BATS Theatre


BATS Theatre is a theatre venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Initially founded as the Bats Theatre Company in 1976, then established in its current form around 1988, it has seen the development of many performing arts talents of New Zealand.

History

Building

The building that BATS now occupies was built in 1923. According to the BATS website, it was originally built to be the Oddfellows Britannia Lodge for the Manchester Unity Oddfellows building, then was purchased by the Savage Club in 1944 and used as a performance venue and as a dance hall, before being bought in the 1970s by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes to serve as the site of their lodge temple. Prior to becoming Bats Theatre, the performance venue was known as Unity Theatre.

Initial formation

The Bats Theatre Company was founded in 1976 by Rodney Bane and David Austin. BATS is an acronym of "Bane Austin Touring Society". The building became the permanent home of the Bats Theatre Company in 1978 and the venue was renamed Bats Theatre in 1979. BATS operated its theatre space in the lower floor, while the ROAB continued to own the building and hold meetings upstairs of the theatre space.
By the 1980s, Bane and Austin had moved on to other things, and the BATS venue had become simply a space that could be leased. According to playwright Ken Duncum, BATS Theatre in the 1980s "existed as a place that could be rented for 60 dollars a day – they didn't mind what you did in it".

Creation of current form

BATS was established in its present form by Simon Bennett and Simon Elson either in 1984, 1988, or 1989. BATS began as a venue for the work of young and emerging writers, directors and actors, many of whom were graduates of Toi Whakaari, New Zealand's National Drama School. BATS states that its fundamental philosophy is to build a new young audience for theatre by presenting diverse, relevant and challenging performance work, and that it focuses on being accessible for both its audience and incoming theatre companies, giving support to many developing arts practitioners and new New Zealand work. According to a 2002 theatre compendium, nearly all the productions at BATS had been New Zealand works.

Renovations and upgrades

In 2011, the ROAB decided to sell the building, asking a price of $1.9 million, potentially leaving the theatre without a home. BATS attempted to purchase the building but was unable to raise the funds. The building was purchased by film director Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh later that year with the intent to provide a stable home for the theatre.
After the sale, the building underwent extensive renovation and earthquake strengthening, and was closed from February 2013 to November 2014. The renovations included adding two more performances spaces and a rehearsal area, which included taking over space formerly used by the ROAB. During the renovations BATS relocated to a temporary theatre space on the corner of Cuba Street and Dixon Street. This space was branded BATS: Out of Site and had a 78-seat venue and bar.

COVID-19 response

The theatre closed on 19 March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During its closure, it presented some live shows streamed over the internet. It has since reopened.

Venue

BATS Theatre is at 1 Kent Terrace in the suburb of Mount Victoria. The venue has three performance spaces, a rehearsal space, green room, and dressing room, and a bar.
According to a 2011 article, the theatre employed five full-time staff.

Works

Most of the productions at BATS Theatre are New Zealand works. Ninety per cent of its annual programme of 60 to 70 shows are New Zealand and world premieres. BATS is largely funded by Creative New Zealand and Wellington City Council.

Notable performances

Many productions which started at BATS have gone on to national and international success, including many significant new New Zealand plays. The farce The Sex Fiend by Stephen Sinclair and Danny Mulheron and Ken Duncum's Blue Sky Boys received national recognition as did Verbatim by Miranda Harcourt, Frangipani Perfume by Makerita Urale, Banging Cymbal, Clanging Gong by Jo Randerson, Vula directed by Nina Nawalowalo, And What Remains by Miria George and by Kip Chapman. Krishnan's Dairy by Jacob Rajan, which premiered at BATS in 1997, was announced for adaptation into a feature film.
Other successful New Zealand names in theatre and comedy have presented early works at BATS, including Flight of the Conchords, Duncan Sarkies, Rhys Darby, So You're a Man, The Naked Samoans and Māori playwrights Hone Kouka and Riwia Brown. The comedy play Benedict Cumberbatch Must Die written by Abby Howells, premiered at BATS temporary 'Out of Site' venue in June 2014.

Experimental theatre

The venue continues to be a home to much of Wellington's young and experimental theatrical talent, with titles such as On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover, The Intricate Art of Actually Caring and After Kafka. BATS frequently hosts two or three different plays in one night.

Annual events

The Young and Hungry Season is run annually at BATS. According to Young and Hungry, the programme started in 1994 at BATS and provides 15–25 year olds with a platform to create and experience theatre, and has expanded to include works in Auckland. BATS also runs the STAB season annually.
BATS hosts shows each year as part of the annual New Zealand Fringe Festival. The BATS website claims that a founder of BATS, Simon Elson, created the festival and that it was originally called the BATS Fringe Fest. BATS also hosts shows in the annual NZ Comedy Festival.