No acts likely to be announced for another month
THE summer programme at Scarborough’s crisis-hit Open Air Theatre is not expected to be unveiled for at least another month.
Apollo Leisure, the operator of the £3.5 million venue, has insisted it has a full set of events ready to launch, but says it is unable to reveal what they are with only months to go before the venue is due to reopen.
Paul Gregg, chairman of Apollo Leisure, said yesterday: “We are still in positive discussions with the council.
“The full programme is prepared and ready to go, and I would say it is an exciting programme.
“My view is that I don’t think it will be announced until mid-March.”
The schedule had originally been due to be revealed in November, but was pushed back until late January.
It was delayed once again with Apollo blaming Scarborough Council, which owns the theatre, for not providing the “assurances” or “support” which would allow it to make the announcement.
Scarborough Council, which expressed “surprise” at the Apollo accusations last month, said yesterday afternoon that it did not want to comment on news of the further delay.
But Cllr David Jeffels, who holds the council’s cabinet portfolio for tourism, expressed his disappointment after learning that no shows are likely to be revealed for another month.
He also said that the local authority was attempting to secure its own acts to perform the theatre, alongside the events which will eventually be staged by Apollo.
He said: “It is disappointing that the program has again slipped, however, I do hope that when the programme is announced it proves to be well worth waiting for.
“In the meantime the council is negotiating a number of productions independently which will supplement the programme planned by Apollo.
“I can assure people that there will be a programme of entertainment at the theatre and it will have appeal.”
Also reacting to the news, Scarborough Council cabinet member Bill Chatt said: “I’m just amazed to be honest. We’re a seaside town and this is one of our main assets. I’m shocked.
“You look at venues like the Futurist and they’re prepared months in advance. When they had Calendar Girls on you couldn’t look anywhere without seeing some promotion.
“People are willing to travel. I’m going to see Mrs Brown’s Boys in September in Manchester and we bought the tickets in December. What’s the chances of that happening with Apollo?
“We have a great venue, but it seems we don’t know what’s on until the day before.”
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Comments
There are 23 comments to this article
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Harveys
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:42 AMThere are many local bands that could perform, why not have a weekend of music at a cost far less than previous perfomers. I am sure it would be attended by vistors as well locals as no bookings have been made for the venue it seems to be turning into a very expensive white elephant.
Mister Woo
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 10:34 PMtimewasting!
ANARCHIST
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 09:47 PMfifey, Get your own FOI question in and then publish it on this site. It is easy
fifey
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 05:09 PMSEN needs to get an FOI request in pronto. The council shouldn't get away with simply not wanting to talk about it. This is public money and answers must be provided.
joan greenwood
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 01:50 PMSo they are messing about with saving money on the mayoral car What about this fiasco SAVE money her in this area It is just too cosy and not transparent at all Lets see some planning of acts Did we as tac payers pay for the refurbishment of the theatre Whilst on the subjuct of theatres why do we subsidies the SJT ???
Mr Do!
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 11:33 PM@ Capt Birds Eyes Pants "whoever negotiated and signed these contracts has proved them selves to be very cosy with Apollo and the door is open.. Fixed For You.
Capt Birds Eyes Pants
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 10:10 PMapollo and mr gregg seem to be in a win win situation... they book no acts they get paid they book great acts they get paid and make a profit the council.. you and me.. we know nowt.. the council have been stiched up here like a kipper, whoever negotiated and signed these contracts has proved them selves incompetant and the door is open..
throxenbylad
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 05:40 PMThe delay gives SBC time to deal with the controled waste on the land at the old swimming pool. No doubt Apollo will be pleased to see the possible risk to their audiences and artists (from toxic fumes in the event of a fire there) removed.
guesticulate
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 01:48 PMGet Snatch on!
vergrumpyoldman
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 12:53 PMI have just had a walk past the OAT. The rendering is alredy started to fall away. And why after spending all this money building new toilets are they only open when there is an event on.
Mr Do!
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 09:43 AMFREE WHITBY, nail on head. Once in power these high ranking councilors have only one interest, to keep hold of power. Everything else is just a bother.
butterfly2k2
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 08:49 AMPending Moderation
FREE WHITBY
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 08:42 AMThis childish impasse has arisen because of the sheer stupidity of allowing Tory cronyism to dictate the appointment of Councillor David Jeffels as Portfolio Holder for Tourism & Culture. It goes without saying that this is a job for someone young, dynamic and (above all) in touch with the modern entertainment industry. When Jeffels turned up at Whitby Town (Parish) Council a couple of weeks ago, even the dinosaurs made him flounder - he was completely out of his depth and out of his era. No wonder evrything goes so predictably pear-shaped.Time to boot the dead wood out of the Cabinet.
badger464
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 02:00 AMPending Moderation
Rascal
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 08:26 PMIs there any one out there who is surprised about this mess? I don't think so. Maybe the acts Apollo have booked are acts that no one would be interested in. As I've said on this site before, Appollo get the top acts booked and the town will support it. Simples!
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