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Dateline: 14th November, 2008
Watford to Reduce In-House Work Watford Palace Theatre is to change the pattern of its work, reducing the number of its in-house productions. The new "seasonal" pattern will mean that the theatre will continue its normal production pattern from late September to May, but will devote the summer months to community work. "Over the last few years we have significantly increased our community work," artistic director Brigid Larmour told the BTG. "For example, we are about to open Milestones, the culminating performances of a year-long community project, which has been developed from the stories of the large number of local people who have been involved." However the financial climate is causing concern and "the fact is that at present our overheads are not affordable." It was not so long ago, Larmour says, that the Palace went dark during July and August, and recent years have shown that going to the theatre in the summer is low on the list of priorities of the audience. "We already have good relationships with local amateur groups," she says, "and now we'll be able to open up the use of the theatre to many more community organisations. "We are building relationships with other local arts organisations as part of the Watford Borough Council’s cultural strategy. Hitherto we have produced this work in addition to a year-round programme of professional work as a traditional repertory theatre. But this is no longer sustainable. "The hard economic realities mean that we have to take tough decisions in the short term in order to protect the long-term viability of this important and much loved institution," she added. In-house productions will stop after the theatre's schools show Lysistrata ends in the spring and the theatre will be running a season of touring productions, children’s events and participatory workshops for the community, through to the summer. Then the producing season will re-commence in September. "We will continue to encourage new writing," she said, "not least by our open-access writers' group. For some time we have run a 'closed' group: now we are offering the same sort of chances to a wider range of writers." She admits that "Some permanent posts may become seasonal. The company is formally consulting and working closely with those employees whose jobs may be at risk as a result of the situation." A formal statement on the theatre's website says, "In a people-based industry like the theatre, and at a company like the Palace, which has a very strong production team, and inspires enormous loyalty and affection in the staff, this is inevitably a very challenging process for all of us. But the hard economic realities mean that we have to take tough decisions in the short term in order to protect the long-term viability of this important and much loved institution, which is at the heart of Watford’s cultural life as well as playing a role on the national stage. We will continue to produce and present quality theatre, as well as looking for new ways to connect with our audiences and our communities in the future." Cate Hall, Corporate Director, Watford Borough Council, said, "Watford Palace Theatre has played a vital part in the cultural life of the town for 100 years, and recently has seen a resurgence in audiences and community activities. Watford Borough Council has been delighted by these recent developments, but recognizes the business challenges faced by the Theatre. We are keen to support the Palace’s Board and leadership team to ensure that a new business model is established, which secures the future of its programme for the people of Watford."
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