If you've never attended a live performance at the Fortune Theatre the following tips will make you feel like a regular in no time.
Do you have any parking facilities?
There is a parking building at 54 Moray Place, also an outside parking area opposite the Town Hall on Moray Place. There is metered parking on Moray Place and Stuart St. Parking is free after 5.30pm.
Where are you?
We are situated at 231 Stuart St. On the corner of Moray Place and Stuart St, one block up from the Octagon in central Dunedin. We have signage on the outside of the imposing bluestone Church facade.
What do I wear?
You are able to wear anything that you feel comfortable in. There is no dress code. On special occasions we do like to dress up (like all good theatrical people) but we will advertise this or send out invitations with the dress code indicated.
Do you have a bar?
Yes we do. The bar is open 60 minutes before each performance, (except on Sunday matinees when the bar is closed). It is open during intervals and after the show on Fridays and Saturdays. A wide range of alcohol and non alcoholic drinks are on sale. Tea, coffee, sweets and Gourmet ice creams are sold by the Fortune Members Society. You can avoid the interval crush by ordering your drinks before the show.
Can I take my drink into the theatre?
Yes you can take hot and cold drinks into the theatre to enjoy during a performance. We only ask that it not be in a glass container for safety reasons. Paper cups are supplied at the bar.
Do you have wheelchair access?
Yes we do. You will need to call the theatre in advance to arrange the time of your arrival. You will enter through the Stage Door on Stuart St for a performance on the mainstage or through the Moray Place door for a performance in the Studio. The toilets are situated on the ground floor accessed via the Moray Place St door, as there is only staircase access internally. If you do not require the use of a theatre seat we do not charge a ticket price for wheelchair patrons. We can only have two people in wheelchairs attending a performance at any one time.
Do you have a hearing Loop?
Yes we do. This is set up in the Mainstage. Please make the box office staff aware that you wish to use this facility.
How do I get tickets?
There are a number of options. You can book and pay for tickets over the internet 24/7 (www.fortunetheatre.co.nz) These can be posted out to you if booked well in advance. You are able to call, book and pay for you tickets with your credit card over the phone 477 8323. These too can be posted out to you. You are able to call and simply reserve your tickets and pay for them at a later date. You are also able to just come to the theatre itself to purchase tickets during the day, or prior to a performance. Our box office times are:
Monday 10.30 - 5.00pm
Tuesday 10.30 - 6.00pm
Wednesday Friday 10.30 - 8.00pm
Saturday 4.30 - 8.00pm
Sunday 1.30 - 4.00pm
If you call when we are not there, you are able to leave a message on the answer phone.
We would like booked tickets picked up and paid for a minimum one day prior to the performance (unless you are coming from outside Dunedin- please make the box office staff aware of this) We feel that this would make your theatre experience more pleasant for you, as you will have no need to queue for your tickets on the night, or arrive earlier than you prefer to. Also if the show is extremely popular you will be secure in the knowledge that you have a seat. Popular plays sell very quickly and we do get many sold out nights, so it pays to book early.
Latecomers
In the interest of all patrons and performers alike, latecomers arriving after the performance has begun will be seated in an area least likely to disrupt the performers and will only be admitted into the auditorium at an appropriate break in the performance. We cannot guarantee your reserved seats once the show has begun. You are able to watch the performance through a live feed to the TV situated in the bar. Patrons who leave the auditorium during the performance can only be re-admitted at a suitable break in the performance. Please do your best to arrive at the theatre no later than 7.30pm. If your tickets are only on reserve and the theatre is awaiting payment, we reserve the right to release these seats for general sale half an hour prior performance.
Cameras, recording equipment
and similar devices are not permitted in the Fortune Theatre. Photographs may not be taken in either the Main Stage or Studio auditorium.
Age Restrictions
Not all performances are suitable for all ages. We welcome children old enough to enjoy our performances and please look for our Family productions programmed especially for them. Regardless of age, everyone must have a ticket, sit in a seat and be able to sit quietly throughout the entire performance. Children must be seated where a parent or guardian can supervise them. Please enquire as to age restrictions when purchasing tickets. Babes in arms are not permitted in the Theatre. We reserve the right to ask parents to remove disruptive children so as not to disturb other patrons.
Loud or disruptive
patrons will be asked to leave the Theatre at the discretion of the Head Usher or Senior Stage Manager.
If you feel the onset of a cold or allergies, we would suggest that you use lozenges to maximize your comfort and listening pleasure. If you cannot suppress a cough, please try to use a handkerchief or scarf to muffle the sound. Also note that it is perfectly acceptable to excuse oneself from the Theatre.
We therefore kindly request that, before a performance begins, you check to make sure that you have turned off your cellular phones, pagers, watch beepers, and any other electronic devices that could emit a potentially unwelcome sound.
Interval
The length of the interval varies with each performance, and some shows are performed without any breaks at all. If there is an interval, a good rule of thumb is to allow 15 minutes. The following are some suggested ways to spend that time:
You can enjoy interval drinks and snacks and view the many faces of the Fortune Theatre over the years in wall-hung photography. On exhibit in our 2006 season is a revolving showcase of local artists.
If you step outside during interval, please be sure to have your ticket stub with you for re-entry.
Note that you should conclude your interval activity at the first announcement or the theatre bell and make your way back to your seat.
Smoking
The Fortune Theatre is a non-smoking building. You are able to smoke outside and there is an ashtray mounted on the light pole outside the main entrance to the theatre. Please not you are unable to take alcoholic drinks outside due to the Dunedin City Council bylaws.
