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Derby Playhouse Saved From Liquidation

By admin ⋅ May 12, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

LEGAL ACTION COMMENCED BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STEPHEN EDWARDS AGAINST THE ARTS COUNCIL HAS PREVENTED THE LIQUIDATION OF THE DERBY PLAYHOUSE.

Proceedings taken by Stephen Edwards in the High Court were settled today.  The Arts Council’s proposal to place the Derby Playhouse into immediate liquidation has been withdrawn and it will no longer press any claim to be a creditor of the Derby Playhouse while it is in administration so that the new Board of Trustees can finalise and implement its rescue package.

Stephen Edwards says:

If I had not taken this action then the Arts Council would have forced a 60 year old theatre company into liquidation on a claim which should never have been allowed.  The Derby Playhouse should be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee this November and I am delighted that I have resolved matters with the Arts Council, so the Board of the Derby Playhouse can continue its rescue plan and re-open the theatre in time for that celebration.

This resolution re-opens the possibility for a successful rescue of the Derby Playhouse by the new Board, which is working with the administrators, Tenon Recovery, to finalise a package that can be presented to the creditors as soon as possible.

Professor Jonathan Powers – Chairman of Derby Playhouse says:

The Board is grateful for the courage and tenacity of Stephen Edwards in taking this action.  Thanks to him we are now back where we were in February.  We have a plan to get the theatre up and running in the Autumn.  It will be a leaner and battle-hardened organisation.  It will need support and commitment from the people of Derby and Derbyshire and from the theatrical profession to ensure that world-class professionally produced theatre can once again thrive in Derby, on our stage, in our building, for the next 60 years.

Derby Playhouse can be contacted on derbyplayhouse@hotmail.co.uk

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One comment for “Derby Playhouse Saved From Liquidation”

  1. Jonathan Powers has written to all the amateur organisations he has contact details for who might be interested in a slot on the Playhouse programme for 2008-09. However we do not have access to all the Playhouse files which the administrators have put in store and so may have missed some.

    If your organisation is interested in hiring the main stage or the studio please get in touch and we will send you full details.

    Posted by Anne Powers | May 26, 2008, 11:37 am

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