Katoomba Community Hall will come to life this month when its first theatre show is performed.
With a stage and tiered seating borrowed from the Parramatta Riverside Theatre, the production of Peter Pan on December 11-13 by the 3 Sisters Youth Theatre is expected to pack in the crowds at the old library.
“The kids are very excited to be in Katoomba Street,” said artistic director of 3 Sisters Youth Theatre, Joanne Samuel.
“This is the first time YT has performed in the old library. We are bringing everything in. Parramatta Riverside is donating tiered seating of 100 seats for the show and Tiriel Mora is playing the storyteller.”
Ms Samuel said she was delighted by the support of Cr Don McGregor who had answered the call for the windows to be “blacked out and three phase power installed in time for the show”.
A council spokeswoman, Adrienne Murphy, said while the old library had been used for “various musical and dance performances, art exhibitions, speech presentations, films, since it opened, in terms of a theatrical production, the forthcoming production of Peter Pan would appear to be the first of this kind”.
Ms Samuel said it had been a labour of love to get the children’s production off the ground, with local schools St Canice’s and Katoomba Public already booked in to the Friday show.
“Purple Sky Productions is setting up a stage and lighting. Local artists Michael Byrt and Gene A'Hern have built and painted sets at Steve Archer's auction space that he has kindly donated and sound by Sound by Bliss Beat's, Wil Fre Far.
“I don't think theatre has been done to this level in the old library or anywhere in Katoomba,” she added.
“This is a community event that hopes to see some life in the old library area.”
In 2013, council sought expressions of interest for the management and use of the space but, after a lengthy process , declared that none of the submissions received fitted the bill. It will now start all over again, conducting an open tender for use of the building.
To book for Peter Pan go to: Trybooking.com/152483