Following our article yesterday regarding the future of Ryde and Shanklin Theatres, we received this letter to the editor from Stephen Rolph – Ed
Dear VentnorBlog – I am sad to read about the wishes of IWCC to dispose of their two flagship theatres and the community involvement scheme sounds good with hopefully some commercial realism in there from somewhere.
My wife and go to two theatres, one in Brighton and the Yvonne Arnaud at Guildford.
Shanklin Theatre trained
The Brighton Theatre is part of the Ambassadors group and always offers a decent range of shows. The Yvonne Arnaud I think is run by a Trust and again always offers a decent range of theatre. Funnily enough one of the principals in this year’s YA panto claims to have started in rep at the Shanklin Theatre doing 17 plays in 18 weeks.
Perhaps those behind the community bid should look at the fortunes or otherwise of the Fairfield Halls Croydon. It has a large concert hall and a separate decent sized theatre plus exhibition area and conference theatre. Originally built and run by Croydon Council it become, I think, a charitable trust, to get round privatisation legislation with Council support but monies do not go as far as they used to especially when central Government controls local expenditure – sorry protects local residents from spend thrift councils. Check out their current programmes.
When I last visited Shanklin for a short break in the summer holiday period the theatre was only open for three shows a week and was in darkness on Fridays and Saturdays. Some commercial decision there!
Bar closed
Also the bar was closed for refurbishment – in the height of the holiday season – and the thought of providing a temporary bar was an alien concept to the then management. Caterers provide temporary bars all the time at functions and sporting events but not seemingly at the Shanklin Theatre.
All strength to those planning to keep these two theatres open and I guess that a decent theatrical management agency could get some nationwide tours to visit.
Again check out the Theatre Royal Brighton and the Yvonne Arnaud Guildford. However I must accept that both have mainland catchment area.
Let me finish by saying that I am not commercially involved with any of the above theatres or theatre groups.
Stephen Rolph
Redhill,
Surrey
