Another commmunity theatre in trouble to the Great God Mammon!

It's time, once again to get behind another of our local theatres who are in danger!

Harbour Theatre in Fremantle, who have had more than their fair share of problems over the past few years are once again in danger of losing it all,

To recap, for many many years Harbour was situated in what is now Kulcha on South Terrace,Fremantle. Sure the stairs to climb were a bit of a problem to the older folk but they managed it  and it was a lovely intimate atmosphere. However  the powers-that-be decided that  they had to go to make room for a better money- making venture and so they became gypsies for some time while searching for a home. Several productions were staged at Tivoli's home in Applecross and they were grateful for the support from that company, but there's nothing like a home of your own. Eventually, after considering a merger with Melville ,Harbour were granted a place in the Fremantle Edication Centre. The members rallied round and virtually built the theatre fom scratch . since then many a fine production has taken place.

Here I declare an interest as I am a member of Harbour, and have many fond ( and not so fond) memories of having to change and make-up among the computers  in room 10! however after much negotiating Harbour was granted 'exclusive' use of Room 10 as a dressing room/props & scenery room/green room/ and general 'everything' room- at a cost I may add.

Now, after many complicated arrangements of leases and sub-leases between the Fremantle City Council, DOLA and the National Trust, it seems that Harbour Theatre are no longer  regarded as welcome.  The theatre has been existing on very short term leases for some time now. Recently, as audiences will have noted refreshments have had to be served in a passage-way due to the re-organising of Femantle Ed Centres classes etc. To add to this Harbour Theatre have now been informed that FEC (Freo Education Centre) are applying for money to renovate room 10 as a 'training room' and therefore it will no longer be available to Harbour. As this is the one and only access to the stage it would be impossible for them to continue not to mention that they would no longer have ANY dressing-room or  storage etc etc.

President Nicola Bond and the committee are embarking on a campaign to SAVE HARBOUR THEATRE and the ITA urges ALL of the local theatres to rally to the cause.

We will be sending out a letter to all ITA club members soon to set out the facts and we do ask that you all take a few minutes in your busy schedues to support a fellow club in trouble.

In the meantime Harbour are soldiering on, with 'Move Over Mrs Markham to open soon and the final show for the year "Oliver Twist' going into productin in spite of the cloud hanging over them.

Thank you all for stopping to read this, and your support will be welcome.

Norma Davis (ITA Secretary & Member of Harbour Theate).

I'm really sorry and shocked to read this news, Norma, as Harbour gave me my start in Community Theatre and I'd hate to think of them without a home...again.

It's no secret that I'd like to have a break from theatre for a while...indeed, I've been forced to take it earlier than I wanted to with these blasted health problems...and I saw Rob's audition notice for Oliver Twist, thinking "what a shame it couldn't be some time NEXT year, because I've always wanted to have a go at Fagin"...but this news might just cause me to reconsider my position at the moment. I'll call Peter and Nicola tomorrow about auditioning.

In the meantime, I don't know what I can do to help with their predicament, other than offering moral support. Would a merger with Melville not be such a bad thing, I wonder?

Per Ardua Ad Astra