A well-known Hamilton theatre is staging one of its most dramatic shows yet - a fight for survival that has drawn in millionaires, divided the community and has local councillors at each other's throats.
The council has voted to demolish the 60-year-old Founders Theatre and replace it with a park and a performance area rejecting a proposal from the charitable trust - Theatre of the Impossible - to re-purpose the building into a community hub.
The theatre's been closed since 2016 because it's earthquake prone and restoration could cost up to $20 million according to the council.
With the curtain call nearing today three philanthropists - including the Mowbray family, with their billion dollar toy empire - entered the picture.
Head of the group fighting to save Founders and former mayor Margaret Evans was at today's council meeting. She talks to Lisa Owen.
