Theatre workshop warns of skills shortages

TR2, the workshop base for Theatre Royal Plymouth, is struggling to find staff to construct sets because of a skills shortage.

The Head of TR2 Brendan Cusack told the BBC that the Covid pandemic had taken its toll, with people with the right skills moving to other jobs post-lockdown such as in film, TV or the building trade.

"When lockdown happened a lot of people went over to other areas," he said. "Film and TV in this country now is absolutely massive. A lot of people went across to those areas and transferred into the building trade too.

"Finding the right level skill in carpentry and steel fabrication, even before starting to think about scenic art and prop making, is now quite tricky."

University and theatre partner on skills initiative 

Staffordshire University has teamed up with the Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford to give students a chance to get involved in productions on and off stage.

The BBC reports that under the scheme, drama students will be guaranteed an audition for the theatre's annual Shakespeare production.

In addition, students on other creative industry courses will be encouraged to try out backstage and technical roles.

Deborah Sanderson, Head of Strategic Marketing at Staffordshire University, said the scheme has the potential to "open doors" for students and graduates to get experience of the backstage environment and meet the people behind productions.

Theatre closes over ceiling concerns

A theatre in Hartlepool has been temporarily closed after problems were discovered with its plaster ceiling.

The BBC reports that issues were found at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre following an assessment of the ceilings last week.

Mike Young, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "Initial assessments undertaken by specialists took place over the last week or so and have assessed the current condition [of the plaster ceiling].

"As a result of this a number of issues found now require more detailed investigations.

"A temporary closure is our only option at the current time."

Vegan theatre to open in Kent

A theatre that will only allow vegan food to be consumed on site is to open in Canterbury.

Kent Online reports that the performing arts building of a former Steiner school in the city has been transformed into the Garlinge Theatre which will welcome the public to its first production next month.

The school closed suddenly last year after Ofsted inspectors highlighted a range of failings.

Anything eaten or consumed in the 300-capacity venue must be vegan, a rule that applies to anyone renting the site, organisers have said.

“We need to reduce cruelty and industrial agriculture," Terry Thompson, a member of the collective running the venue said.

“What we should be moving towards is an organic and non-cruel system that would free up land for food production.

“I felt the entertainment industry, especially in a theatre, was not offering enough of that and getting on people’s radar.

“We are not going to have it on every production promotion, but it will be underlying so people can ask questions.”

Blackburn in line for £20m revamp

King George's Hall in Blackburn will undergo an £8m renovation, it has been announced.

The Lancashire Telegraph reports that the money will come from a Levelling-Up grant of £20m to Blackburn with Darwen Council from the government, with the work concentrating on the interior of the building.

The remainder of the new money will go on refurbishment of nearby Tony’s Ballroom, the redevelopment of Blackburn's historic town centre The Exchange building, and transforming the Imperial Mill for employment and cultural use .

Blackburn with Darwen Council Leader Phil Riley said: "The announcement comes after months of hard work between council and government officials, who have together developed a strong investment package to support town centre growth priorities.

"At the heart of the bid is an impressive £8m to renovate the ever-popular King George’s Hall - a key element of Blackburn’s new £50m Cultural Quarter.

"There’ll also be new investment for the likes of Tony’s Ballroom, The Exchange and Imperial Mill.

"I am delighted with the money for King George's Hall which is an vital part of the cultural, artistic and leisure life of the borough and wider area."

Midlands theatre with RAAC could reopen next year

A theatre in Solihull which closed last September after the discovery of dangerous concrete in its roof could reopen in 2025, it has been suggested.

Solihull Council said that a survey of the roof of The Core Theatre had made "positive findings", suggesting that areas of vulnerable reinforced autoclaved concrete (RAAC) could be repaired by next year.

The local authority said it will give a more exact opening date soon after a final technical report is delivered.

While the main auditorium remains closed, the council has developed an "alternative programme of cultural activity" backed by  £307,000 of funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority.

 

Council extends rent-free period for Battersea Arts Centre

Wandsworth Council has agreed to extend Battersea Arts Centre’s (BAC) rent-free period until 2035 saving it in the region of £270,000.

Operating since 1974, BAC is a charity based in Battersea's Old Town Hall. The venue is a key partner in Wandsworth’s bid to be named London Borough of Culture 2025. 

BAC’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer Tarek Iskander said: “At a time when so many councils are cutting back on arts and culture funding, we’re exceptionally lucky to have such brilliant support from Wandsworth Borough Council. 

“2024 is an incredibly special year as we celebrate our 50th anniversary as an arts centre. BAC has always been part of a thriving arts community in Wandsworth, and that is in no small part due to the vital support we receive from the council, who continue to reaffirm their belief in the importance of arts and culture to public life.”

Council Deputy Leader and lead spokesperson on arts and culture Kemi Akinola added that she was delighted the council would “continue to offer such tangible and effective support” to BAC.

“BAC is not just Wandsworth’s but one of the UK’s leading cultural organisations, playing a vital role on the local, regional and national stage. 

“Not only does it bring significant footfall to the borough, over a third of their audiences have always been very local, appreciating the ground-breaking and unique work it provides on their doorsteps. 

“Most of their shows are offered as pay what you can, and with almost universal relaxed performances, making them more accessible to local underserved communities than any other London theatre.”

Uncle Vanya NT Live takes over £1m

The NT Live cinema release of Uncle Vanya starring Andrew Scott has taken over £1m in UK and Ireland box office sales since its release on 22 February.

Premiering at 737 venues, Uncle Vanya had the widest release of any NT Live production, taking £768,872 in a single night, rising to over £1m by the end of the weekend. It is the biggest success for NT Live since Empire Street Production’s Prima Facie, featuring a solo performance by Jodie Comer.

Uncle Vanya, which played sold-out runs at Richmond Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre last autumn, saw Golden Globe nominee Scott take on all the roles in a 105-minute adaptation of Chekov's classic play. The show was produced by Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Kater Gordon.
 

Nederlander Theatres buys Dominion freehold

The owner and operator of the Dominion Theatre in London's West End has purchased the Grade-II listed building's freehold with the support of a "multi-million-pound" loan from Lloyds Bank.

Nederlander Theatres, which also owns and operates the Aldwych Theatre and co-owns the Adelphi Theatre, said the acquisition of the freehold was the "culmination of a decades-long effort" by the family-run business to invest in and restore the art deco Tottenham Court Road theatre.

Jerry Katzman, CEO of the Dominion Theatre, said: “Our landlords were very understanding and have supported our efforts to invest in the Dominion, but owning it outright means we can continue to invest and operate in the way that will create the very best shows and experiences for our visitors. 
 
“The Nederlander family has been in the theatre business continuously since 1912. It’s their passion to keep theatres in the industry and restore them to their iconic magnificent grandeur. We now have the base to press on with that ambition, and the Dominion’s ready to deliver unmissable shows for generations to come.” 

“London’s West End is a huge draw for culture vultures from not just the UK, but across the whole world. The Dominion is at the heart of that, and the purchase helps protect a vital cultural asset in London," added Delcan Mulcahy, Technology, Media, and Telecoms sector head – mid-corporate at Lloyds Bank.

“The team behind the theatre have a clear vision, and owning the freehold has been a major strategic objective for decades. We’re proud to have helped the Dominion achieve that, and we remain by the side of creative businesses across London to dream big and be ambitious."
 

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