A NEW theatre located in a former landmark church building in Dublin's north inner city opened last night promising to be a "top European venue".
Temple Theatre in the old St George's Church building, in Hardwicke Place, has a capacity for 3,000 people. Its first event tonight is the final concert of the "In the City" music convention.
The theatre plans to hold a wide variety of events as well as drama and the owners described it as a "smaller version of the Point Depot", which is likely to host everything from pantomime to business conventions.
The theatre also has broadcasting facilities which are available at cost to anyone booking the venue.
The owners have not changed the main structure of the old church building, which was built in 1802 by architect Francis Johnston. The multi use venue has three levels which can be "utilised" by customers according to their needs.
The first level has four separate vaults which can hold up to 600 people. The second level is the main auditorium and stage area which can accommodate an audience of over 2,000 people, with a full sound and lighting system.
The upper level is a balcony area with seating for over 320 people, and the building is served by two bars. The unusual structure of the venue means that single events can take place at the same time on the three different floors.
Mr Jason Denham, the theatre manager, said the theatre was not targeting any other venue and there "was enough business out there for everyone".
He said the main advantage of the theatre was its location in the north inner city of Dublin where there were few other entertainment venues.
The three owners, Mr Finbar Smyth, Mr Martin Flatterty and Mr Pat O'Reilly, all have interests in either property or public houses and have never been involved in a similar project before.
They have jointly invested £3 million in modernising the old church building over the last two years.
The final "In the City" music convention concert tonight features a number of unsigned bands. It is a regular convention showcase for up and coming groups at which a winner is chosen. Three years ago, Oasis played the same event.