Theatre campaigners fight on
DON'T bring the curtain down on our dreams of having a theatre in Warrington!'
That's the line being delivered by campaigners hoping that art and culture can still take centre stage in the town, despite failing to secure Mr Smiths as a venue.
Theatre4Warrington says it plans to lobby the borough council to push developers building leisure facilities in the town to include a theatre.
"We had our eye on Mr Smiths," admitted the group's chairman, borough councillor Linda Dirir. "But now that's gone, it doesn't mean we don't still need a theatre.
"We are looking right across the town, at any area of regeneration, whether it's Bridge Foot or Time Square, any of these big plans coming forward, and we are saying: Why not build a theatre as part of your project?'"
Clr Dirir said the group had collected more than 11,000 signatures from people in favour of Warrington having a theatre.
The former mayor of Warrington also said a new theatre could help the town shake off its recent image of somewhere for people just to get drunk.
"People are always saying they have to travel out of the borough to see a play when they shouldn't need to," she said.
"A theatre tied in with a small, intimate cinema could help define a cultural quarter where a different age group comes into the town centre.
"That would be a really wonderful area."
Clr Dirir said the group had ruled out the Parr Hall as a potential venue because it is more a concert hall or civic hall and would require too much work to make it suitable for theatre'.
Nick Cupit, who runs CODYS youth theatre group, said he is also in favour of Warrington having its own theatre but stressed it was about working with the council to find a suitable venue.
"It's partly a prestige thing - a town of Warrington's size should have a theatre - but also down to practicalities," he said.
"Warrington's young people shouldn't have to go to another town, such as Runcorn, to perform."
He added; "It seems there is very little focus on the young people that want to use their talents and do something productive.
"The time has come where the council and community groups need to sit down and address this."
11:55am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: pioneer1, great sankey on 1:45pm Wed 26 Mar 08
there is a place in preston called 53 degrees (not related to the 53 degrees bar in warrington) but its a massive theater / stage / nightclub. this is something that warrington needs, it could have productions and then now and then have big names in, just like the carling academy chain do.
there is a place in preston called 53 degrees (not related to the 53 degrees bar in warrington) but its a massive theater / stage / nightclub. this is something that warrington needs, it could have productions and then now and then have big names in, just like the carling academy chain do.
Posted by: jue27, warrington on 2:52pm Wed 26 Mar 08
wt about branigans for a venue
wt about branigans for a venue
Posted by: muppett, warrington on 8:56am Fri 28 Mar 08
What about developing the Parr Hall? Its a great venue and very central.
Also what about the old Spectrum Arena at Brichwood, isnt that standing empty and unused?
There are so many buildings around warringon that were built for the New Town boom of the late eightys/early nineties - why does the town need to build new, whats wrtong with regenerating the old. In this day and age of recycling its a must!
What about developing the Parr Hall? Its a great venue and very central.
Also what about the old Spectrum Arena at Brichwood, isnt that standing empty and unused?
There are so many buildings around warringon that were built for the New Town boom of the late eightys/early nineties - why does the town need to build new, whats wrtong with regenerating the old. In this day and age of recycling its a must!
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