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Dateline: 8th April, 2011
Free Play Offer for Cash-Strapped Theatre Derby author and playwright Don Shaw has offered to help Derby Theatre over its financial problems by penning a play without being paid. Shaw, who has a long association with the city as both an actor and writer, is rewriting his play A Question of Honour, which was shown on BBC1 in 1969 in the Thirty Minute Theatre slot, as a full-length drama. He's talking to the BBC and ITV about filming it although it may become a radio play. He now wants to adapt it for the stage and won't charge Derby Theatre a commission fee, royalties or box-office takings. That could save the venue several thousand pounds. The theatre's future is under threat after leaseholders the University of Derby were refused Arts Council funding. Previously Derby LIVE, part of the city council, was one of the organisations regularly funded by the Arts Council - but it decided not to apply this time around. The university has stressed that the theatre will not close but has yet to reveal whether its artistic programme will be affected. Shaw helped out at Derby's Little Theatre in the 1940s; acted for a season at the old Playhouse on Sacheverel Street; and his play The Conspirator was staged at the new Playhouse in the 1980s. He said about his offer to provide Derby Theatre with a play for nothing, "I'm making a big sacrifice but I don't mind. "The idea was to shame Derby city council into some form of action. I believe it's not so much up to the Arts Council to provide funding as the city council. You can't have a city without a theatre." Shaw will meet university vice-chancellor Professor John Coyne next month to discuss his offer. Shaw is known for his TV series including Danger UXB and Dangerfield. His drama Bomber Harris which starred John Thaw earned him a Bafta nomination, as did Wingate, his BBC drama about controversial World War II Allied commander Orde Wingate. A Question of Honour is based on a true story and features a Chatsworth groom who sees action at the start of World War I as a cavalry trooper but faces a court martial after breaking an outdated code of honour. Steve Orme
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