Derby Playhouse to be renamed as council agrees deal with university
THE former Playhouse theatre will be re-branded "Derby Theatre" under a management deal between the University of Derby and Derby City Council.
The two organisations have agreed a partnership which will mean the council's entertainment arm – Derby Live – will work with the university to organise the theatre's programme during the year.
The Playhouse's lease was sold to the University of Derby in April, ending months of speculation about the theatre's future.
The building fell into limbo after Derby Playhouse Ltd, which ran it, got into financial difficulties in late 2007.
In December last year, creditors agreed to allow Stephen Edwards, the theatre's former artistic director, to take a "charge" on the lease in exchange for £45,000 to cover the company's overheads.
That gave Mr Edwards the power to sell the lease to recoup his costs, pay back creditors and give the Playhouse board working capital to continue their theatre company.
With the lease now in the university's control, the aim of the management deal with the council is to bring in popular productions, as well as amateur theatre and locally-produced work when it opens in late autumn.
Hari Punchihewa, pro vice-chancellor and finance director at the university, said: "This will give the university's Theatre Arts students the opportunity to learn and develop within a working theatre; a unique experience for them."
For 42 weeks of the year, the programme of the main theatre will be organised by Derby Live.
The council's assistant director for culture, Helen Osler, said that, within that period, 10 weeks would be set aside for amateur groups.
A further four weeks on top of that 42 would be set aside for the university to stage its own productions and there would be a period when the theatre was closed.
Councillor Joe Naitta, the council's cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "Not only will we stage high-quality theatre, made in Derby for Derby, at the theatre, the building will be a hub for the city's amateur theatre community."
The university will pay the council to manage the programming for Derby Theatre and the council will pay the university for rental space.
The council said the details of those costs were still to be finalised but the Derby Telegraph understands the management fee the council will receive to be about £280,000 for a full year, while its rental will be about £230,000.
The council said its aim was to break even while putting on "quality performances" in the space.
The Arts Council for England has agreed in principle that the council gets a grant of about £700,000 for theatre in the city but that was dependent on the council having suitable theatre space in the city.
The authority is now hopeful its Derby Theatre deal with secure that funding, on which its plan depends.
In addition to four weeks of main theatre space, the university will use the smaller Studio Theatre throughout the year.
Professor Michael Gunn, university pro vice-chancellor, said that students doing theatre arts studies would move into the building at the start of the next academic year. He said it made sense for the university to concentrate on its students while the council managed the theatre programming.
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by Joanne, Derbys
Thursday, May 14 2009, 8:28AM
“I agree, John, it would be great to hear from some well informed views across the board. But a few seem to enjoy appearing in these stories whenenver there's an opportunity to gloat.
Could I ask what is your contribution to this discussion?”
by John, Derby
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 1:37PM
“I thought that a lot of people had opinions about this story and then realised, as usual on this subject, Joanne had posted more than a third of the comments.”
by Steve, Derby
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 1:14PM
“It seems that the representatives of niche interest groups have been left shellshocked by this decision.
The outcome is fair: Theatre for all.
Bye bye DPL.”
by James, Derby
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 1:04PM
“Thank you, Kit. Your comment has left me a little confused. The administration asked for an advance on the grant from the City Council which would indicate that there were financial issues. Was this not the case? If there weren't issues then why the closure?
Joanne, do you assume that this 'smoking out' happened because you have only spoken to former employees and heard their side of the story? They are obviously disgruntled. It's not the way to ascertain a balanced view. I would say that Derby City Council and the Arts Council tried to work with the administration but it didn't work. Payments have been advanced before, bail out money had been given. As Mr Fullerton has said, this shows a will to support.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 12:54PM
“Hi Kit,
I think people on here would really appreciate hearing more of the facts- as so much speculation and misinformation.
I'd just like to say my heartfelt thanks go to you and the Board members for putting such huge effort into trying to preserve the "core" of our treasured theatre for the future.
I just hope that Derby Uni have
foresight to recognize that, and
this isn't just about who's got the money aon the table at this point.
I realise there are some good points about Derby LIVE, eg community theatre and being a receiving house for good touring compnies- but it is the professionally producing theatre element at the core, and how this is done which is so important for the future survival of the theatre, and to attract the wider audiences.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 12:45PM
“James, I do genuinely believe there was a "smoking out" of the management of the Playhouse, to the detriment of the staff, and all who worked or were involved with the theatre.
Most crucially, it is the audience who have lost out big time- and no one seems to have asked their views in all this decision making process.
I agree, very very sad- and we await further redress of many issues.
If DCC and AC had a problem with the "management" of the theatre, they should have dealt with the issues, and tried to work with people, rather than go to such extreme measures.
Don't forget- many suffered in this process.
However- maybe there is a small shred of hope that in the future, the Uni may be able to embrace the scope and scale of producing theatre that needs to return to Derby.
The audiences will be the true lithmus test, over time.”
by Kit Lane, Derby
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 12:42PM
“Sadly I have little time to respond (marking calls). Angela, I guess you need to talk to Derby Live about booking the theatre.
James, re: your comment about the Board not being able to balance the books. The current board are not the same one that was in charge at the end of 2007. Moreover, the blanket statement that the previous board were financially inept is based on a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding.”
by John, Derby
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 12:38PM
“Joanne
Am I correct in thinking that you hold the belief that if it isn't produced by DPL it isn't artistically credible?.
If so I feel you may be overly loyal to DPL.
Using a projector and nearly always the same cast in every production doesn't constitute art!!.
The new structure will allow companies from all over the country and world to perform - in prime spots. Instead of only being offerd unpopular summer windows that no-one in their right mind would accept.
There were a lot of problems at the old playhouse, and I accept that quality of productions (mostly) wasn't one of them. However there is a whole theatrical (professional) world out there that now has potential access to our city centre theatre.
Surely this can only be a good thing?.”
by James, Derby
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 12:30PM
“Joanne, I think that comment is rather unfair. It seems apparent that the City Council had little choice but to try to take control. If the finances had been kept in order then there wouldn't have been any reason to step in in the first place. It appears that everyone else is to blame apart the administration. It's very sad.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 12:13PM
“John, this is about the long term future of artistically professionally produced theatre in the city, and what form/quality that may take.
Some of us have been involved with that debate- including the BBC/DET/national press.
Personally, I have felt our theatre is worth fighting for.
Others might not notice or care what the "art" might consist of.
One thing I do know- in other cities like Nottingham, if the DCC had tried to control the entirety of its artistic theatre programming, there would have been a riot by now!”