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Dateline: 1st February, 2008
ACE Setback for Derby Playhouse Derby Playhouse's future has again been thrown into uncertainty after Arts Council England East Midlands decided not to renew its £700,000 grant to the theatre. The Playhouse, which has been in administration since November, was desperate to retain its Arts Council grant and said it was "shocked" by the decision. However, the Arts Council has said it will be "investing money for produced theatre in Derby into a new model to be initially co-ordinated by Derby City Council". In fact the Arts Council is putting £2.8m over the next three years into "new theatre made and staged in Derby" - an increase of more than £750,000 on the funding given to Derby Playhouse Ltd. The Arts Council reviewed its investment after the theatre went into administration and decided that "the current Derby Playhouse Ltd was not the appropriate vehicle to invest public money into to deliver a produced theatre programme in Derby." Even a decision by former chief executive Karen Hebden to step down from the company was not enough to change the Arts Council's decision. A spokesman added, "We aim to work with Derby City Council as a key strategic partner to develop a new, viable model for the continuation of produced theatre in Derby. "We recognise that this may require different approaches in the short, medium and long term and we hope by the middle of this month the initial stages of a plan can be shared. "Whilst this will lead to some interruption in produced work in Derby, we are convinced it will allow for the development of a stronger and brighter future in theatre for all of the people of Derby and in the region as a whole." Newly elected chairman of Derby Playhouse Ltd Professor Jonathan Powers, who was behind a plan to rescue the Playhouse, said the theatre would spend the next few weeks looking for alternative funding. "What amazes us about the Arts Council decision is this plan was backed by a major high street bank - who should know about money - and by the administrator," he said. "The artistic programme here has been absolutely outstanding, and we're one of the largest employers in the region altogether of actors and musicians on stage." The next scheduled production, The Devil's League, a new comedy by Stephen Lowe about Brian Clough, has been cancelled and anyone who has bought tickets will get a refund. Steve Orme
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