Plowright Theatre could get new owners
PROFESSIONAL expertise could be brought in - to put the spotlight on Scunthorpe Plowright Theatre to make it more attractive to top class dramatic productions.
North Lincolnshire Council is considering proposals to hand over the management of the theatre to a private national entertainment company.
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'IT NEEDS SOMETHING': Little Theatre Club life member Geoff Wharton outside the Plowright Theatre. Picture: Richard Addison.
If the idea is given the thumbs up the Plowright Theatre would be run in tandem by the newly chosen operator of the £16-million Baths Hall to be opened next year.
The news has been welcomed by Geoff Wharton, a life member of the Little Theatre Club.
He said: "There were fears in the Scunthorpe Federation of Amateur Dramatics that the theatre may possibly close.
"Personally I do not think closure is a good idea but the Plowright needs something.
"I would sincerely hope if it is taken over by a national entertainment organisation they would be able to bring back professional groups and more serious dramas to the theatre, which would be a great asset and would help the amateur dramatic groups."
For more details, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
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by Clare, Ex-Scpe resident
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 1:08PM
“I think this is EXCELLENT!!!!
The Council have driven that place into the ground, just like they did the Baths before they thought flattening it would be a better idea rather than maintaining it.
The Plowright has barely had anything on full stop, never mind hald decent. Its poorly maintained and needs some life injecting into it.
Unfortunately, it is still a theatre, and they wil never generate a huge crowd, no matter where they are, but I do think its bloody excellent news that Kirky is swallowing is pride and just allowing someone with PASSION for the theatre to regenerate it!!!”
by ., .
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 8:28PM
“anon, Scunthorpe + anon, ashby = same braindead ?”
by anon, Scunthorpe
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 9:36AM
“will this be like NLH and people running it be on £100,000, A YEAR PLUS, and we make up any losses. if business was viable would not a private company have done it years ago, not willing to risk own money use public funding and you can not loose , we could have venues now in club 2000,after all it was built for that purpose . let them run that profit could be used to build baths hall. no trust in council ,”
by Emma Roids, Westcliff
Monday, February 15 2010, 10:06PM
“We should have class acts like Chico, Jimmy Cricket and an eveing with Dean Gaffney.”
by anon, scunny
Monday, February 15 2010, 3:36PM
“another sell off,we should be trying to attract top artist like they get in grimsby and over the river in hull,nlc should be ashamed”
by anthony, Scunthorpe
Monday, February 15 2010, 2:15PM
“Sell off the Plowright,money needed for Kirk,s folly, aka Baths Hall!”
by Felix, Scunthorpe
Monday, February 15 2010, 1:08PM
“Lets hope they ditch all the tacky, badly acted 1950's comedies, romps and murder mysteries where the prompt has the largest role.
Many good quality plays demand an intimate space, lets provide one and dump all the old biddies who can't act and precocious children who can't sing or dance.”
by chris, scunthorpe
Monday, February 15 2010, 12:46PM
“I actually think this will be disastrous for amateur theatre and all the music and dance school festivals in this town. Lets be honest. This initiative is not to attract top class entertainment here. It's to make money or at least cut council costs. The hire rate for the theatre will be hiked up so much that the amateur groups won't be able to afford it. The result is a theatre that's hardly used and therefore, eventually shut!! Remember, this theatre was built with public funds to be a civic theatre. A theatre for the people of Scunthorpe to use. The council need this place to close or the huge white elephant on Doncaster Road will be a flop”
by Tax payer, Scuuny
Monday, February 15 2010, 12:23PM
“Lets spend tax payers money on the theatre doing it up and then give it away to some company to reap the rewards once again clever work by the council.”
by Jenny Tylewortz, .
Monday, February 15 2010, 10:34AM
“Doesn't matter who owns it, It will only ever attract local amateur theatre groups & has beens because of its size. ( on second thoughts, how about getting Anon of Ashby on stage reciting Shakespere ? That would be awesome.)”