Comments on: ACE Rejects Playhouse Appeal http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:33:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Anne H http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-155 Anne H Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:12:37 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-155 Oh gosh - sorry for posting this twice, folks. I was SO angry, I pushed the wrong button when editing my initial post! Oh gosh - sorry for posting this twice, folks. I was SO angry, I pushed the wrong button when editing my initial post!

]]> By: Anne H http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-154 Anne H Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:56:27 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-154 Methinks it's all a "numbers game" - the council obviously thinks theatre's a "poor cousin" to other potential money-spinners, such as the Westfield redevelopment of the Eagle Centre. Retail shops versus theatre - can't the two co-exist happily? Yes, people like to spend money on shopping, but they ALSO like to spend their hard-earned cash on theatre! I'm smelling a rat where all this Derby Council/Arts Council funding's concerned. Are they dangling the elusive carrot only to pull it away when people decide to take a nibble? Are they REALLY keen to keep live theatre in Derby? Talk's cheap - let them come good with the money & their pledge to keep live theatre in Derby - only THEN will I believe their promises. I realise that Karen Hebden & Stephen Edwards have produced big budget shows. No doubt, they've probably gone OVER budget on some of their shows - not a wise thing, given the theatre's financial position. But recent reports state that "Treasaure Island" made a rather large profit during its run. But not enough to cover debts, it seems. However, it still doesn't make sense to me to close a perfectly good theatre when the council NEED a theatre to perform in. Will commonsense prevail? I wait with bated breath ........ Methinks it’s all a “numbers game” - the council obviously thinks theatre’s a “poor cousin” to other potential money-spinners, such as the Westfield redevelopment of the Eagle Centre. Retail shops versus theatre - can’t the two co-exist happily? Yes, people like to spend money on shopping, but they ALSO like to spend their hard-earned cash on theatre!

I’m smelling a rat where all this Derby Council/Arts Council funding’s concerned. Are they dangling the elusive carrot only to pull it away when people decide to take a nibble? Are they REALLY keen to keep live theatre in Derby? Talk’s cheap - let them come good with the money & their pledge to keep live theatre in Derby - only THEN will I believe their promises.

I realise that Karen Hebden & Stephen Edwards have produced big budget shows. No doubt, they’ve probably gone OVER budget on some of their shows - not a wise thing, given the theatre’s financial position. But recent reports state that “Treasaure Island” made a rather large profit during its run. But not enough to cover debts, it seems.

However, it still doesn’t make sense to me to close a perfectly good theatre when the council NEED a theatre to perform in. Will commonsense prevail? I wait with bated breath ……..

]]> By: Anne H http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-153 Anne H Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:53:31 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-153 Methinks it's all a "numbers game" - the council obviously thinks theatre's a "poor cousin" to other money-spinners, such as the Westfield redevelopment. I'm smelling a rat where all this Derby Council/Arts Council funding's concerned. Are they dangling the elusive carrot only to pull it away when people decide to take a nibble? Are they REALLY keen to keep live theatre in Derby? Talk's cheap - let them come good with the money & their pledge to keep live theatre in Derby - only THEN will I believe their promises. I realise that Karen Hebden & Stephen Edwards have produced big budget shows. No doubt, they've probably gone OVER budget on some of their shows - not a wise thing, given the theatre's financial position. But recent reports state that "Treasaure Island" made a rather large profit during its run. But not enough to cover debts, it seems. However, it still doesn't make sense to me to close a perfectly good theatre when the council NEED a theatre to perform in. Will commonsense prevail? I wait with bated breath ........ Methinks it’s all a “numbers game” - the council obviously thinks theatre’s a “poor cousin” to other money-spinners, such as the Westfield redevelopment. I’m smelling a rat where all this Derby Council/Arts Council funding’s concerned. Are they dangling the elusive carrot only to pull it away when people decide to take a nibble? Are they REALLY keen to keep live theatre in Derby? Talk’s cheap - let them come good with the money & their pledge to keep live theatre in Derby - only THEN will I believe their promises.

I realise that Karen Hebden & Stephen Edwards have produced big budget shows. No doubt, they’ve probably gone OVER budget on some of their shows - not a wise thing, given the theatre’s financial position. But recent reports state that “Treasaure Island” made a rather large profit during its run. But not enough to cover debts, it seems.

However, it still doesn’t make sense to me to close a perfectly good theatre when the council NEED a theatre to perform in. Will commonsense prevail? I wait with bated breath ……..

]]> By: Alastair Massey http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-152 Alastair Massey Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:18:29 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-152 I just wanted to say how touched i am at the loyalty shown to the playhouse from the people who have written on this page. Olympic Runner i think youre bang on, Daniel, be careful before critising our management. i have been a part of the Playhouse for eleven years now, as a youth theatre member, as a community theatre member and until the 2nd February as a paid member of staff. I have never worked for, or with, a better team. We were, and hopefully are still, a family. And that goes for everyone including the management. They might have a bad reputation from the other place they were at for money management, but as directors they are second to none and as people they are nothing short of inspiring. Kit Lane knows more about them than i do. Laura Dyer, i have this to say to you: I know you are under a lot of pressure to spend as little money as possible on the arts in order to help to better fund the olympics, and i know that you must be experiencing many sleepless nights and may quite possibly have had many cries over the fact that your people hate you for what you are being forced to do because of a w**k government that wouldn't know "the arts" if it rode them like a pony and made them come like a train. that said, you and your colleagues have pissed me off to the max because of your bending to the will of such people and i therefore have no sympathy for you. GET OFF YOUR ARSE AND GIVE THE MONEY REQUIRED BACK TO THE PLAYHOUSE!! Because if you don't you will be remembered in history as the woman who sold out arts in derby for a promotion that you will probably never recieve, and you will be blamed for losing Derby one of THE BEST REGIONAL THEATRES IN THE COUNTRY. As for you Arts Council of England and Derby City Council, be careful, for there are A LOT of angry people out there. A storms coming, but you stop it just by handing over a cheque. Remember that you were voted in by the people to act for the people and the people have spoken: THEY WANT THE PLAYHOUSE. And Derby City Council, although yes we are the people, we are not quite as ignorant and stupid as you might think. We know its all about the lease. Now that is £5,000,000 that you are not entitled to, so just leave it alone. Fellow supporters, if we keep speaking out, we will eventually make a difference. TTFNx I just wanted to say how touched i am at the loyalty shown to the playhouse from the people who have written on this page. Olympic Runner i think youre bang on, Daniel, be careful before critising our management. i have been a part of the Playhouse for eleven years now, as a youth theatre member, as a community theatre member and until the 2nd February as a paid member of staff. I have never worked for, or with, a better team. We were, and hopefully are still, a family. And that goes for everyone including the management. They might have a bad reputation from the other place they were at for money management, but as directors they are second to none and as people they are nothing short of inspiring. Kit Lane knows more about them than i do.
Laura Dyer, i have this to say to you: I know you are under a lot of pressure to spend as little money as possible on the arts in order to help to better fund the olympics, and i know that you must be experiencing many sleepless nights and may quite possibly have had many cries over the fact that your people hate you for what you are being forced to do because of a w**k government that wouldn’t know “the arts” if it rode them like a pony and made them come like a train. that said, you and your colleagues have pissed me off to the max because of your bending to the will of such people and i therefore have no sympathy for you.
GET OFF YOUR ARSE AND GIVE THE MONEY REQUIRED BACK TO THE PLAYHOUSE!! Because if you don’t you will be remembered in history as the woman who sold out arts in derby for a promotion that you will probably never recieve, and you will be blamed for losing Derby one of THE BEST REGIONAL THEATRES IN THE COUNTRY. As for you Arts Council of England and Derby City Council, be careful, for there are A LOT of angry people out there. A storms coming, but you stop it just by handing over a cheque. Remember that you were voted in by the people to act for the people and the people have spoken: THEY WANT THE PLAYHOUSE. And Derby City Council, although yes we are the people, we are not quite as ignorant and stupid as you might think. We know its all about the lease. Now that is £5,000,000 that you are not entitled to, so just leave it alone.
Fellow supporters, if we keep speaking out, we will eventually make a difference. TTFNx

]]> By: Joyce Kinton http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-149 Joyce Kinton Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:52:34 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-149 You tell em Barbara ! Those who are making the most noise arent the ones who are loyal to the Playhouse, both paid and unpaid staff ! Its disgraceful that the councils pulled the wool over peoples eyes....the Arts councils no better either... I smell a consipracy........ The ONLY LIVE, REPUTABLE, 5 STAR THEATRE has to be THE PLAYHOUSE "!!!!!!! All will be revealed in the fullness of time.... The public have done all they can by donating and buying tickets for Treasure Island and encouraging us too.... Seems the man / woman on the street has no say at all about what they want.... I cant beleive that all those sig on the petition and the protests acheived nothing !!!! The problems have been fully covered by BBC east midlands news and even the National news.... The people of Derby have spoken in words and deeds... are they deaf or daft ?? I cant wait to see what their next move will be.... The cash will go into the coffers of the council and no-one can do a thing about it.... We have the promise of city and \Arts councils that the future of theatre in Derby will happen... Lets see if they can keep at least ONE PROMISE !!! Joyce X You tell em Barbara !
Those who are making the most noise arent the ones who are loyal to the Playhouse, both paid and unpaid staff !
Its disgraceful that the councils pulled the wool over peoples eyes….the Arts councils no better either…
I smell a consipracy……..
The ONLY LIVE, REPUTABLE, 5 STAR THEATRE has to be THE PLAYHOUSE “!!!!!!!
All will be revealed in the fullness of time….
The public have done all they can by donating and buying tickets for Treasure Island and encouraging us too….
Seems the man / woman on the street has no say at all about what they want….
I cant beleive that all those sig on the petition and the protests acheived nothing !!!!
The problems have been fully covered by BBC east midlands news and even the National news….
The people of Derby have spoken in words and deeds…
are they deaf or daft ??
I cant wait to see what their next move will be….
The cash will go into the coffers of the council and no-one can do a thing about it….
We have the promise of city and \Arts councils that the future of theatre in Derby will happen…
Lets see if they can keep at least ONE PROMISE !!!
Joyce X

]]> By: Susan http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-148 Susan Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:38:42 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-148 What can we do to help those who are trying to make sure that live theatre will continue in Derby? Why has the Arts Council given £700000 to Derby City Council for the arts when they have no history of producing theatre and no-one to do it, although they do hold the lease on a venue where it could be performed? How long do they have to spend the money, because in order to do so they have to appoint people, propose a programme, cast it and rehearse it? It could take until Christmas! Or will it all be used to support amateur groups who could perform in the Playhouse? Who appoints the members of the Arts Council to spend our taxes and what qualifications do they have? It's all very mysterious and unsatisfatory. I have been a Playhouse supporter for nearly 50 years and it is heart breaking to think that it can just disappear. I hope that Jonathan Powers and friends are still working behind the scenes to pull a rabbit out of the hat and that they will surprise us all yet. What can we do to help those who are trying to make sure that live theatre will continue in Derby?
Why has the Arts Council given £700000 to Derby City Council for the arts when they have no history of producing theatre and no-one to do it, although they do hold the lease on a venue where it could be performed? How long do they have to spend the money, because in order to do so they have to appoint people, propose a programme, cast it and rehearse it? It could take until Christmas!
Or will it all be used to support amateur groups who could perform in the Playhouse?
Who appoints the members of the Arts Council to spend our taxes and what qualifications do they have?
It’s all very mysterious and unsatisfatory. I have been a Playhouse supporter for nearly 50 years and it is heart breaking to think that it can just disappear.
I hope that Jonathan Powers and friends are still working behind the scenes to pull a rabbit out of the hat and that they will surprise us all yet.

]]> By: George Stephenson http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-147 George Stephenson Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:46:50 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-147 I think Laura Dyer's (ACE Chief Exec's) comments in todays DET are very well placed. Whilst it isn't possible to list individual errors of management, judgement, etc what is not in dispute is that the Playhouse was not able to live within it's means or even within it's usual means of drawing down payments from next years funding. Public subsidy of the arts is vitally important, but her point about the difference between informed, planned subsidy and blind giving is well made. I also don't understand the loyalty to the Playhouse building - it;s long been said publically by all sorts of officials that the playhouse as it stands isn't big enough, so rather than berating the ACE and council for recent actions, I'd suggest that lobbying them to create a purpose built venue in the city centre is the only way forward. I propose the site of the Assembly Rooms - once the white elephant that's currently there has been knocked down that is! I think Laura Dyer’s (ACE Chief Exec’s) comments in todays DET are very well placed. Whilst it isn’t possible to list individual errors of management, judgement, etc what is not in dispute is that the Playhouse was not able to live within it’s means or even within it’s usual means of drawing down payments from next years funding. Public subsidy of the arts is vitally important, but her point about the difference between informed, planned subsidy and blind giving is well made. I also don’t understand the loyalty to the Playhouse building - it;s long been said publically by all sorts of officials that the playhouse as it stands isn’t big enough, so rather than berating the ACE and council for recent actions, I’d suggest that lobbying them to create a purpose built venue in the city centre is the only way forward. I propose the site of the Assembly Rooms - once the white elephant that’s currently there has been knocked down that is!

]]> By: Barbara http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-146 Barbara Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:26:56 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-146 You tell them Joyce,I have not heard the Derby city council or the arts council say they are to reopen the playhouse Daniel,so where is this new model they talk about suppose to come from,all I know is Derby will be without a 5 star producing theatre for a long time, and may never get it back.open your eyes its the lease the council want they could have helped the theatre if they wanted too by removing the management if that was the problem and then moving forward and encouraging, promoting,and supporting the playhouse. no its all to do with the money they will get from the lease. they dont want the playhouse why should they it stands on prime building land lots of other theatre's have a lot bigger grants than the playhouse had,and this year the arts council increased it for arts in Derby yet none for the one and only producing theatre we have in the city whats that all about then, WATCH THIS SPACE. You tell them Joyce,I have not heard the Derby city council or the arts council say they are to reopen the playhouse Daniel,so where is this new model they talk about suppose to come from,all I know is Derby will be without a 5 star producing theatre for a long time, and may never get it back.open your eyes its the lease the council want they could have helped the theatre if they wanted too by removing the management if that was the problem and then moving forward and encouraging, promoting,and supporting the playhouse. no its all to do with the money they will get from the lease. they dont want the playhouse why should they it stands on prime building land lots of other theatre’s have a lot bigger grants than the playhouse had,and this year the arts council increased it for arts in Derby yet none for the one and only producing theatre we have in the city whats that all about then, WATCH THIS SPACE.

]]> By: Joyce Kinton http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-145 Joyce Kinton Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:21:29 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-145 I find it rather odd that the ACD and the DCC are waiting two to three weeks to let the theatre lovers of Derby and surrounding areas what they intend to do with the lovley PLayhouse..... Espeicaly as Jonathan Powers told us on last night of Treasure Island, maybe the last time the stage as we know it will disappear, they have 2 to 3 weeks to find the funding that should have been given to keep theatre ALIVE in Derby...... Seems Jonathan has a mountain to climb.... The real losers are the public of Derby etc..... If I won the lottery, as a lot of people were saying last Sat night, Id give the cash with no question, without the wimpering and whining and lying the City council have shown over the last 3 months..... I wouldnt trust either councils as far as I could throw them... Lets see if they keep their promises...to keep live theatre in Derby, for the people of Derby... Remember all the promises your local Counsellor makes before each election...then apply those thoughts to the situation in Derby right now...... It will be interesting to see just what they come up with..... If its anything like the Haymarket in Leicester, we will get a new theatre....maybe 2010...and a carbunckle on the landscape ! Meantime, lets remember how wonderful the REAL theatre have been, with their generosity and encouragement... It doesnt seem to have any good...but \i hope all those great lovers of theatre will look back in anger.... When theres another local election please remember who and why the existing council did what they did and tell them where to put their **** promises ! Joyce Kinton. I find it rather odd that the ACD and the DCC are waiting two to three weeks to let the theatre lovers of Derby and surrounding areas what they intend to do with the lovley PLayhouse…..
Espeicaly as Jonathan Powers told us on last night of Treasure Island, maybe the last time the stage as we know it will disappear, they have 2 to 3 weeks to find the funding that should have been given to keep theatre ALIVE in Derby……
Seems Jonathan has a mountain to climb….
The real losers are the public of Derby etc…..
If I won the lottery, as a lot of people were saying last Sat night, Id give the cash with no question, without the wimpering and whining and lying the City council have shown over the last 3 months…..
I wouldnt trust either councils as far as I could throw them…
Lets see if they keep their promises…to keep live theatre in Derby, for the people of Derby…
Remember all the promises your local Counsellor makes before each election…then apply those thoughts to the situation in Derby right now……
It will be interesting to see just what they come up with…..
If its anything like the Haymarket in Leicester, we will get a new theatre….maybe 2010…and a carbunckle on the landscape !
Meantime, lets remember how wonderful the REAL theatre have been, with their generosity and encouragement…
It doesnt seem to have any good…but \i hope all those great lovers of theatre will look back in anger….
When theres another local election please remember who and why the existing council did what they did and tell them where to put their **** promises ! Joyce Kinton.

]]> By: Martin http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-144 Martin Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:41:15 +0000 http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org/2008/02/01/ace-rejects-playhouse-appeal/#comment-144 Irrespective of allegations of mismanagement your argument seems flawed Daniel. Both the new board and the existing management have offered to step down from their positions if asked to do so as part of a succesful rescue package. Whilst I hope we can hold the City and ACE to their word regarding funding for a theatre in derby we've yet to hear the minutiae of that commitment... and to be frank the handling of the current situation by ACE and DCC does not instill in me a great deal of trust in them. Irrespective of allegations of mismanagement your argument seems flawed Daniel. Both the new board and the existing management have offered to step down from their positions if asked to do so as part of a succesful rescue package.

Whilst I hope we can hold the City and ACE to their word regarding funding for a theatre in derby we’ve yet to hear the minutiae of that commitment… and to be frank the handling of the current situation by ACE and DCC does not instill in me a great deal of trust in them.

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