Save Derby Playhouse
DERBY PLAYHOUSE WAS SHUT DOWN BY ITS BOARD ON 29/11/07 AT 3pm.
This was despite the Playhouse’s current show of Treasure Island selling fantastically over Christmas, with many performances already sold out.
70 permanent staff lost their jobs without warning, 3 weeks before Christmas. Everyone from the Chief Executives to the Cleaners, and that number doesn’t include the many casuals and freelancers who worked there and relied on the Playhouse for income.
200+ members of the Egg Theatre Academy, which includes Playhouse Kids, Youth Theatre and Community Theatre now have no venue and no staff to take their classes.
Beneficiaries from the Hot Tickets confidence and assertiveness workshops now have no Playhouse staff to delivery these workshops or anyone to pay for their room hire.
Worst of all, 50,000+ Derby theatre-goers now no theatre in their city to enjoy a great night out at the, but at least we might get yet another department store…. not quite the same!
PLEASE WRITE TO THE COUNCIL: and urge them to support the re-opening of the Derby Playhouse as a professional producing theatre.
Tags: derby playhouse, theatre
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Having worked at the Playhouse appearing in 4 of the pantomimes in the 90’s I had one of the best times of my career at the Playhouse.So many memories of good times, wonderful audiences and the friendliness of the people of Derby saddens me so much to hear about this uneccesary closure.What are the Council thinking of? I hope its only temporary and the theatre re-opens.
Jeff Longmore
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I am a long distant supporter/ visitor to the Derby Playhouse. For certain shows I have come down to Derby all the way from Edingburgh!!! I have visited Derby 5 times in the last couple of years and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The shows I have seen were of very high standard and exceptional quality. I compared them with productions I go and see here in Edinburgh. Derby has a lot to offer. What would Derby be without this hub of culture hidden in the Eagle shopping centre! It will also be a big loss to the youth of Derby, nowhere to go to explore and express their hidden talents.
What more can I say!
Bring back the Derby PLAYHOUSE THEATRE! Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Karin Jellema
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Both Alex Brandon and myself Sarah Shipton wish to enter any petition in favour of keeping this theatre open. There are far too few provincial theatres already. We are both Actors Equity members.
January 21st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I DEPLORE the proposal to close Derby Playhouse, and especially the way it was done, without talking with the Actors and other employees. First ,all the confusion about finance and possible changes to the site ,MUST be sorted out openly. Moreover the Theatre is really excellent, and should be retained for the people of Derby, including the children who were so disappointed when the theatre was closed without notice in Des. 2007
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Hi Karen,
Thankyou for all you have done for me in ‘Moonlanding’ and theplayhouse,
You have taught me so much.
I admire your passion and your courage in your work.
Thanks,
(Andi Aldrin)