A bold move to distance the heritage Palais Theatre in St Kilda from the debacle of the St Kilda Triangle development was unveiled today by actress Rachel Griffiths and musicians Slava Grigoryan and Al Slavik.
The plan is to divert the cost of renovations for the Palais away from the St Kilda Triangle development budget by offering sponsorship of each of the 2700 seats in the venue for $5,000 each.Griffiths was the first to put down her money for project. "If a Palais Foundation were to be established for the purpose of reviving the heritage Palais Theatre as a vibrant and profitable multi-purpose cultural and entertainment venue, leased by an accredited venue operator, I willingly pledge the first $5000 for my favourite seat," she said. "I always sat in the front row of the dress circle at the ballet when I was growing up".
Australian promoter Paul Dainty has also confirmed that the Rolling Stones would also be buying a seat. The Stones played 3 shows at the Palais on their first Australian tour of 1965 and returned a year later to play 6 more shows at the same venue.
Sony-BMG, Bruce Springsteen's record label, also confirmed that The Boss, who played 3 acoustic shows at The Palais in 1997, has also made a pledge.
The day started with Slava and Al warming up the crowd. The audience featured members of the media and unchain St Kilda, a residential group who have vocally opposed the development of the region. The duo performed 'Goodbye Vienna' from their 'Continental Drift' CD.
At the gathering outside the Melbourne theatre this morning, Rachel Griffiths said how the development would turn the venue into "a B-grade rock venue".
The Palais is known worldwide as a dedicated music venue. "It is not a sporting venue converted into a music venue," she pointed out.
Development plans have been put to council to turn the St Kilda Triangle into a huge shopping complex. "This is not Chadstone by the sea," Griffiths pointed out. "People come to St Kilda for the cakes and the theme parks. It is a national treasure and recognized worldwide. St Kilda is where families come to have fun, not to shop".
Rachel Griffiths is personally fond of St Kilda. She was married at the Palais and had her reception around the corner. "I am not an ex-pat Hollywood ring-in called in to save St Kilda," she announced.
Her mother Anna is part of the unchain St Kilda committee.
