Acorn Under Threat
Tue, 17 Aug 1999, 06:20 pmGrant Malcolm12 posts in thread
Acorn Under Threat
Tue, 17 Aug 1999, 06:20 pmA front page, banner headline in the Comment News proclaims "Curtain may fall on tiny theatre". The article goes on to report that the City of Gosnells has told Acorn Theatre that their building may be demolished. The city had apparently hoped that Acorn would move to the Don Russel Performing Arts Centre or another venue.Acorn Theatre President, Sue Thomas, has been an occasional contributor here on the ITA website. Sue reportedly was told by the council that the land needed to be sold to fincance the $80 million redevelopment of the Gosnells town centre. I hope you can keep us all informed, Sue. I'm sure many of us would love to support your company in anyway we can.I believe many community theatre companies are under threat; they just haven't realised it yet. Most community theatres are heavily subsidised by local government and in a "user-pays" society this situation cannot continue for long.Recreation and leisure are serious business with serious money involved. The proliferation of "community" recreation centres has brought with it a marked change in the way our community views the principle of paying for leisure. Most people don't bat an eyelid at paying a few dollars a couple of times per week to play a game of squash, tennis or some other sport. Many pay a small fortune regularly to attend a gym and participate in fitness classes. (In my opinion, the reality is that community recreation centres are fast becoming little more than glorified shopping centres.)Local authorities will find it harder and harder to justify reduced hire rates and rental for community theatre companies when all other users pay a full commercial fee. Costs for community theatre companies will rise and clubs will find themselves collecting $2 from cast and crew at the door every night to cover the cost of hiring a rehearsal venue.Think i'm kidding?The committee of the Graduate Dramatic Society (Grads) recently met with ex-Festival of Perth Director, David Blenkinsop. David has been engaged by the University of WA to undertake a study into Sport & Culture on Campus. The study will make recommendations about what types of activities the university should be supporting. The sporting model of people paying annual fee in excess of $100 and then a per use charge each time they use the sporting facilities was held up as a model for culture on campus.Are there any community theatre companies out there that charge more than $100 per year for membership and then a fee everytime you rehearse for a show? Oh, and then you'd better treble your ticket prices to cover the declining membership. Any takers to join this club?Good luck Acorn. We're all going to need it.CheersGrant
Re: Acorn Under Threat
Wed, 18 Aug 1999, 01:10 amSorry to hear about Acorn - never been there, but if the need a hand, I'll jion the barracades and wave the flag.Down here, the saga goes on and on, it is now alleged that the little place down the road, has been caught in a cleft stick. They have now commited themselves to about $300 000.00+ to build only a backstage, storage and dressing room area on to the a new school at halls head. The rest of the facilities are shared , such as the stage and auditorium. However, in their stumberling effort to find a home outside of the City Council control (they finaly woke up), they have found out that the Education Dept won't deal with them direct only the CC as the head tenant.This amazes me, as their Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (they don't seem to hold general meetings) voted to only register an interest in this project as a possible alturnative, now it has changed to a full blown - hand over the money and sign here contract - Because if they don't it will cost them $20 000.00 for doing the plans and they will loose Council support of a grant and an interest free loan.It has been my experiance when dealing and sharing venues - you become 2nd or a lower class, shoved about and access is limited.So out of the frying pan into a pot of bioling water, then jump on to the hob and await in line for the fire.They have been advise by one of their own, who is a pro in this area, to develop and subdivide a 5 hectre block and build their own 'free hold'- but no, they say they cannot service the loan. #250 000.00 is the ask for this prime block on a main road, they have $120 000.00 available as a deposit and only have to pay the yearly interest untill the subdivision is sold. Wally's - they don't know when they are well off, as the sale of the surplus land would build the theatre and they will have a nice bank balance, even if they auctioned them cheap.Well, it's their problem, as I have said before - they knew the axe was falling 5 years ago and sat around waiting for - THE END!?!?Joe"non member"McCabePlease disreguard, Acorn is more Important.
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