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The Future of West End Theatre
The Theatres Trust’s recent report, Act Now! - Modernising London’s West End Theatres, estimates that it will cost at least £250 million to enable a radical remodelling of those buildings that are at least satisfactory and which would lend themselves to such an approach. “Without any investment the prospects are bleak,” the report states. “Theatre audiences cannot be expected to tolerate indefinitely conditions that reflect theatre 100 years ago”.
A full day of seminars at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 15th November provided an opportunity for the theatrical profession to have their voice heard. The event was organised by Peter Longman, director of the Theatres Trust and Anthony Field, chairman of Theatre Projects Trust, who chaired the sessions along with Charles Spencer, theatre critic of The Daily Telegraph and Billy Differ of Delfont Mackintosh. It was conceived as a forerunner to an anticipated major public debate on the subject in the Spring of 2006.
Architect Tim Foster, chairman of the ABTT’s Theatre Planning Committee, told ET: “The seminar was a useful start to the discussion on how to address the many problems of West End theatres. I am particularly keen to ensure that the practical needs of users are understood and incorporated into this process at an early stage.”
ABTT Sightline editor Geoffrey Joyce said: “Technicians and stage management are a vital part of a production and don’t always get a fair hearing. Comments during the day ranged from crammed backstage facilities and working at height, to flymen pulling and twisting for the cause! Sir Cameron Mackintosh deserves a prize for supporting the debate!”
Ian Herbert of the International Association of Theatre Critics commented: “The day offered a really instructive exchange of views from both the architects and the users (professional and public) of London’s theatres. A very encouraging number of meaty ideas were put forward, and a few dead ducks laid to rest – if that’s not too indigestible a mixed metaphor!”
Architect Nicholas Thompson of The Arts Team took the view that West End theatres stood no chance of getting hold of any government funding unless a consensus came about - a ‘cooperative’ for the West End. “A range of spaces has to be created to build up a vibrant West End, and one that can enable the best from regional theatre to come into London and to make transfer of product easy and economically viable,” he told ET. “We have a beautiful range of spaces and with a bit of juggling they can be made fabulous. We need to re-think public areas and some theatres will require radical change. Also, we don’t know enough about what is required across all areas of backstage activity. We need to produce a detailed brief of what is needed and where it is needed. The West End has to come together to present its case.”
Pictured at the event: Charles Spencer (The Daily Telegraph) with Peter Longman (Theatres Trust) and Anthony Field (Theatre Projects Trust). Geoffrey Joyce with Tim Foster and Nicholas Thompson.
17th November 2005
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