Homegrown productions to mark reopening of former Playhouse
HOMEGROWN theatre performances will return to the former Derby Playhouse stage this autumn after a 12-month gap.
The recently renamed Derby Theatre will reopen for business in September with Derby Live today announcing a new season of shows that includes the world premiere of a rock musical and a Christmas production of the fairytale classic The Snow Queen.
Derby Live has already staged homegrown productions at the Guildhall Theatre, Assembly Rooms and in the new outdoor performance space at Cathedral Green.
But its first full season will include bringing shows back to the old Playhouse.
Theatre in Derby has been in crisis ever since the Playhouse went into administration 18 months ago.
The only production staged there since was The Killing of Sister George, starring Jenny Eclair, last September – an abortive attempt to reopen the theatre by the old Playhouse company.
Since then the lease of the theatre has been sold to the University of Derby, which has in turn struck a management deal with Derby Live – the umbrella arts organisation which receives Arts Council and city council funding to produce theatre in Derby.
Peter Ireson, director of Derby Live, said: "This is only possible because of our ground-breaking partnership with the University of Derby. With the university taking on the theatre it has given us an opportunity to roll the Derby Live model out and take it to another level."
Pete Meakin, artistic producer of Derby Live, said he was particularly looking forward to seeing home-produced theatre back at the former Playhouse when the musical The Pros, The Cons and a Screw opens in October.
"I think it's a brilliant piece and exactly the right thing to be starting with," he said. "It's a real coup to have Steven Dexter directing it, who gave us the hugely successful Stepping Out at the Playhouse.
"Steven is very choosy about what he does, as he's one of the country's best musical theatre directors."
It was the award-winning script by Derbyshire's Tim Elgood that attracted the director.
Mr Meakin said: "You read the Derby Live ethos and you see why our opening produced work at Derby Theatre with a musical by Tim Elgood. It shows our commitment to the local theatre ecology and local artists."
Mr Elgood, from Fritchley, originally wrote the musical set in a prison in 2001. "I guess you can say it has served its time," he said.
"You do begin to wonder if anything is ever going to happen so this is brilliant. I'm really chuffed and very grateful to Derby Live."
Theatre-goers in Derby will now also be spoilt for choice at Christmas.
As well as the star panto at the Assembly Rooms, with Neil Morrissey as Buttons, there will be shows at The Guildhall and at Derby Theatre where Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen will be on offer.
"We wanted to programme three shows that would be in harmony, not in competition with each other, and we think we have done that," said Mr Meakin.
"It's a lovely pack of aces. Some people will see all three but the breadth of shows means we are appealing to most people in Derby."
Further ahead, Derby Live will stage Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice in 2010 and a new play from Derby's Lucy Gannon, who has written TV scripts for Soldier, Soldier and Peak Practice.
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by Mary, Derby
Friday, July 17 2009, 12:52PM
“I think this is where you confuse me - the productions planned are home produced professional - not community theatre - productions. Directed and produced in Derby at Derby Theatre?!? Like I said before we need to give it a chance. Then we can judge whether anything's been lost.
I, like many others, have always supported the theatre and will continue to do so as I think many others will too. Derby LIVE produced the excellent professional - Much Ado About Nothing - did you see it? There's an excellent review in The Stage.
Let's support the theatre and see the shows and relish the new opportunity we have for theatre in Derby.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Friday, July 17 2009, 12:15PM
“I fully support work like this from new writers or local artists, much as I support community theatre.
BUT it is the balance and genre of programming that I am saying will be vastly different.
Looking back over Playhouse productions like A Christmas Carol, Amadeus, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Stepping Out and Treasure Island- these attracted national audiences and reviews- which in turn attracts investment for the city and our culture.This type of work is the "norm" at theatres like Nottingham Playhouse and Birmingham Rep.
This core element of a dedicated professional producing theatre (rather than just a receiving house for touring shows) and other genres- may be missing.
I feel Derby has lost a big element of its producing theatre.”
by Mary, Derby
Friday, July 17 2009, 12:00PM
“I don't think we could ask for much more than a new piece of writing especially for Derby Theatre by award winning writer Lucy Gannon, if it's scale and scope you're after. Brilliant! I was a loyal audience member at the Playhouse and I will continue to be at Derby Theatre.
I think we should celebrate the craft being brought back to the theatre and support it whole heartedly. We wanted it back - it's here!”
by Joanne, Derbys
Friday, July 17 2009, 10:57AM
“The point is that the Playhouse attracted a huge loyal following of audience members and volunteers.
This in no way detracts from what happens at the Guildhall and the Assembly Rooms.
But the fact they all appear to have been "lumped together" as a package, now implies the type of programming may now be pretty similar- perhaps to what is usually shown at the Assembly Rooms?
The Playhouse was a professional producing theatre dedicated to its craft- and attracted national reviews for its productions.I think it was the scale and scope of these productions which attracted the wider audiences.
As for volunteers being asked to work for 15 hours a week- maybe that seems a bit much to ask....”
by VIxen80, Derby
Friday, July 17 2009, 9:30AM
“To quote Joyce 'I realy hope the DL will find some volunteers prepared to work a minimum of 15 hours a week ?? and that those same staff will make people welcome and treat the members of the audiences as freinds, which is the legacy left by the staff paid and unpaid of the dear Playhouse....'
Do the staff (both paid and unpaid) at the Assembly Rooms and Guildhall fail to do this then?”
by Mary, Derby
Monday, July 13 2009, 2:09PM
“'Whilst I welcome the community theatre oportunities, it is the loss of homegrown original professional producing theatre
that will be sadly missed.'
I think you're missing the point.
It's the homegrown original professional producing theatre that's exactly what's being offered.
Let's go and see those productions Joanne and then we can make judgements about them - I think that's only fair rather than dismissing them now - did you see Much Ado About Nothing and Peer Gynt?”
by Joanne, Derbys
Monday, July 13 2009, 12:08PM
“Mary, I have heard theatre professionals who have experience and expertise, refer to this as a community theatre model, primarily; (albeit using the building as a receiving venue for touring productions.)
In some respects, it sounds a bit like an extension of the programming that already existed at the Assembly Rooms.
Also, it has been mooted in the national press that the Arts Council see Derby very differently to other East Midlands cities in terms of what theatre should be....
maybe that would be acceptable, if the 60 year old Playhouse/productions hadn't been so highly regarded, and nationally recognized.
What we had before at the Playhouse was a world class inhouse,dedicated professional producing theatre that consistently attracted national 4/5* reviews.
This is still a great loss to Derby, since its enforced closure in 2007.
However, some theatre is better than none; I just wish Derby Uni had not incorporated wholesale the Derby LIVE model, without retaining a "core" of professional producing theatre on a scale we had before.This had been implied in statements made during the sale of the lease.
I still believe it would have been that crucial element that attracts the wider audiences in the long term.
Maybe the lithmus test will be the audiences in the long term future, and national reviews.
Whilst I welcome the community theatre oportunities, it is the loss of homegrown original professional producing theatre
that will be sadly missed.”
by Mary, Derby
Monday, July 13 2009, 11:14AM
“This is great news and I'm really looking forward to seeing the first show. Joanne you are the only person I am aware of that keeps calling Derby Theatre and the new venture - 'community theatre'. Just because it's homegrown and home produced doesn't mean it's not professionally produced theatre.
Let's see it before we judge it eh?”
by Joyce, Eastwood, Notts
Saturday, July 11 2009, 11:49AM
“So the inspiring news is out...NOW we know what Derby Live are offering to lovers of great theatre via the NEW named "Derby Live"
Sounds good, but I think Im right in saying that the only changes have been the new name ofcourse, someone to decide whats better for fun loving fans of \derby and surrounding areas....
I wonder what theyve been doing in the building for the last few months ?
Maybe got the coffee shop up and running....closed the Box office, you may find yourselves having to go to the AR's to buy your ticket...hey come on, its only just down the road |!!!!!
hese are merely my specualtions.....people may have to make their own minds up.....
I realy hope the DL will find some volunteers prepared to work a minimum of 15 hours a week ?? and that those same staff will make people welcome and treat the members of the audiences as freinds, which is the legacy left by the staff paid and unpaid of the dear Playhouse....
I'll be watching things unfold....
JOyce .”
by Theatre Lover, Mickleover
Friday, July 10 2009, 2:21PM
“Joanne is right. The correct mix is professional theatre and community productions. 50 years ago, Derby had a wonderful rep ¿ the 'old' Derby Playhouse in Sacheveral Street ¿ and many excellent am-dram companies. How one yearns for a return to those days.”