A 'Heritage Listed' Theatre in Merredin, Western Australia

Cummins Theatre was originally part of the Tivoli Theatre which was erected in Coolgardie in 1897. The Theatre was dismantled and railed to Merredin where it was re-built by James Cummins in 1928. Since its construction, the theatre has become highly valued by the community as a long-standing venue for live entertainment. In 1982, in recognition of its cultural heritage significance, the place was classified by the National Trust of Australia (WA) and Cummins Theatre was permanently entered on the State Register of Heritage Places in 1996. In 2009 the Shire of Merredin was successful in receiving funding to complete extensive renovations and conservation works to the significant heritage fabric of this heritage icon. Cummins Theatre will re-open in April 2010, bigger and better than ever.

Book an event at the theatre or come to see one of our events!

Cummins Theatre has been entertaining wheatbelts audiences for many decades, and endeavours to provide a range of quality events for all ages and interest groups. To see a list of coming events or to browse through some of the acts that have performed recently, check out our Events page. Cummins Theatre is also available for hire, and is a popular venue for hosting meetings, seminars, weddings, balls and other functions. We have a number of rooms available at competitive rates. Please visit our Bookings page for more information, or to register your interest in holding your function at Cummins Theatre.

CUMMINS THEATRE CONSERVATION WORKS

The Shire of Merredin has been successful in obtaining funding from the Wheatbelt Development Commission to complete Stage 1 of the Conservation Works to Cummins Theatre.

This funding will be used in conjunction with funding from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program to deliver a number of upgrades to Cummins Theatre, incorporating elements from the Conservation Plan which was recently prepared for the Theatre.

These works will include:
the refurbishment of the fly tower;
the reinstatement of the orchestra pit;
the installation of reverse cycle climate control;
new storage rooms and facilities;
the refurbishment of the backstage area, including dressing rooms, green room, performer’s facilities, and loading zone, and;
the refurbishment of the Tivoli Room.

The Project is expected to take approximately 9 months to complete. While the works are being completed the Theatre will be closed from 13 July 2009 until May 2010. Unfortunately this means that Cummins Theatre will not be able to take any bookings during this time.

If you had wished to use the Theatre during this time please contact the Theatre Manager, Jane Bandurski, on 9041 3295 or to discuss your options regarding alternative available venues.

The Shire of Merredin would like to thank all the people of Merredin and the surrounding communities for their continued support and patronage throughout the lifetime of Cummins Theatre, and we are excited to be creating an important future for this valued cultural heritage icon.

We look forward to bringing you updates on the progress of the Project over the coming months.