Arts Council England (ACE) has requested that the troubled Derby Playhouse, which has now closed its doors (see AP160), return £1.6m in grant money, including stabilisation and recovery funding. Its Chair, Professor Jonathan Powers, confirming that the organisation has also received claims of nearly £1.2m from 256 other creditors, acknowledged that ACE had the duty to request the refund.
“However,” he said, “they are supposed to take proper account of the extent to which what the money was supplied for has been delivered. As far as we can see, everything was done. …The expenditure was approved by them, step by step.” The theatre awaits a creditors’ meeting on 25 February before it can announce whether it is able to continue as a going concern. Meanwhile, Derby City Council (DCC) has announced its plans to resurrect producing theatre in the city, with a programme to which ACE will be contributing £2.3m over three years. ‘Derby LIVE’ will mount performing arts events by both professional and amateur companies in a range of indoor and outdoor venues, starting this summer. The initiative involves regional partners Derby Dance, sinfonia ViVA, Derby New Theatre Association and Derby concert promoters. DCC has also stated that “If the administrator does not find it possible to revive Derby Playhouse Limited as a going concern, ‘Derby LIVE’ will also use the Derby Playhouse main stage and the Derby Playhouse Studio.”