New era for Derby Playhouse
A NEW era has begun at Derby Playhouse – with the first productions expected on stage by October.
University of Derby staff, who will manage the theatre, entered the city centre building yesterday just hours after signing a 99-year lease – for an undisclosed sum.
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IS THIS A KEY I SEE BEFORE ME? Hari Punchihewa and Ian Willgoose with the keys to the Playhouse.
Work will begin immediately to convert behind the scenes areas into offices and learning spaces for theatre and performing arts staff and students.
University finance director Hari Punchihewa also wants to receive applications from community groups and touring productions who want to put on productions at the theatre.
He said: "This is both a learning theatre and a community theatre and we want it to appeal to all ages and sections of society.
"We particularly want to give a platform to local artists and welcome contact from anyone who wants to get involved."
The university's rescue of the theatre began several months ago.
Lawyers drew up a deal between the university, the Playhouse board and former artistic director Stephen Edwards.
Mr Punchihewa said work would commence on the theatre's cooling system and providing disabled access.
"Over the next two or three years, we would hope to carry out some more substantial refurbishment," said Mr Punchihewa
"We need to make a sufficient surplus to be able to reinvest for future years."
Jonathan Powers, chairman of the Playhouse board, said: "It's great that creditors will get back money and we will have live theatre back in Derby.
"We will be sitting down with the university to see what help we can give.
"I would like to see the University of Derby as first-choice for anyone wanting to learn about theatre across the world."
The doors to the Playhouse were opened for the first time since last October yesterday as university staff got to work.
A table, settee and footstool were still on stage from the last production, The Killing of Sister George.
Ian Willgoose, university director of facilities, said: "There is an inventory to indicate what is now ours and what goes back to the Playhouse company. This is a very exciting project for us."
The saga of funding problems at the Playhouse began in late 2007.
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by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 9:34AM
“Right then Alf, we shall wait to see what the independent governmen ombudsmen and police have to say then, in response to evidence?
It doesn't matter who's got all the money and power- it's the weight of factual evidence that counts in the end.....
The Playhouse may have been lost forever, but the people involved haven't lost their integrity.”
by Alf Fullerton, Derby
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 8:33AM
“Purely retorical comments.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Monday, May 11 2009, 1:43PM
“Alf, I can assure you my comments are not unfounded.
At present there is an independent investigation of all these processes, as reported by the Board in the Derby Playhouse newsletter.It will take time for the outcome.If you want to ask specific queries- members of the Board are contactable via Save Derby Playhouse on facebook.
I have already stated my view is an audience member/observer- so I'd suggest it would be appropriate for you to approach
Anne and Jonathan Powers.”
by Alf Fullerton, Derby
Monday, May 11 2009, 11:28AM
“Joanne just how much more help did you want DCC and ACE to give. Clearly you are talking money. ACE had already put in over £1million in stabilisation funds, the theatre was in debt to the tune of £1.2 million, not my figures the Administrator's.
Whilst I have sympathy for DPL they had a major problem that neither the Arts Council or City Council could reasonably have been expected to resolve.
The Playhouse in the form both you and I wanted has been lost. There is no going back.
Can you tell us all how much was eventually obtained for the lease? What if any programme DPL will be able to put on and where? Even if the Ombudsman finds in favour of DPL what will it achieve?
Finally, chronic underfunding is a strong term. I would suggest that the reality is that that DPL wanted more than they got, they always did, that is not chronic under funding. There is nothing wrong with ambition but if you fail to work within the budget you have it is not the Council or Arts Council that is at fault.
Those taking the business decisions within DPL had a responsibility which can not be passed to DCC or ACE.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Thursday, May 07 2009, 8:55AM
“Thankyou James.
I think we have to look back and remember the process since Nov'07 to understand how things have transpired to this point.
It is my belief as an observer, that had DCC and AC been more supportive, and perhaps working as partners with DPH following the Westfields rebuild, a more constructive and respectful process might have been possible, instead of what appeared to have been a "battle for control" of the building, and the artistic programming.
I'm sure there are different views on these events- and none of us know all the details, especially as we are only aware of what is in the public domain.(Regarding dialogue with the Arts Council- how could this have been acheived- and was there a public forum to do so?)
I did read the plans for Derby LIVE- and have feedback from people who've been to some of the shows.My general impression is that the "community theatre" element is particularly excellent. But many of us genuinely believe this would not have been equivalent to the scope and scale of professional producing theatre, and with all the craft involved, to what existed at the Playhouse for decades.
Much as I love being a participant of community theatre, and fully support amateur work also, I see these genres as supplementary to a substantial core of professionally producing theatre- which I feel is what attracts the wider audiences also.
So although as yet unknown, and with mixed feelings, we await the plans of a new era under Derby Uni. I realise the Playhouse will never be the same again- and perhaps most of all this boils down to a history of chronic underfunding and politics. That's very sad; theatre should be an art form that is inspirational to the people- and I feel this process has been so damaging.
It's not so much huge optimism James, as perhaps pragmatism, and some hope that there is potential for different genres and groups to work together, whilst maintaining a "core" of professionally produced theatre that will bring back the audiences, and we can all enjoy.”