Warwickshire Online Chat Forum - View Single Post - Why is "world-class Stratford-upon-Avon" such a dump?

Mari · 26-02-2008, 03:50 PM

I came across this old news from the Guardian.uk

The Royal Shakespeare Company's controversial plan to demolish its Stratford playhouse and build a £100m riverside "theatre village" was unanimously approved by a committee of MPs yesterday, giving a much needed boost to the beleaguered artistic director, Adrian Noble.
Ignoring criticism by traditionalists - among them Prince Charles who has warned against a "modern and horrible" new development - MPs on the media and culture select committee, led by Gerald Kaufman, said change was necessary. They said the 70-year-old grade II listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre offered "neanderthal conditions" unable to do Shakespeare justice.

The committee found the art deco venue would no longer comply with statutory requirements, such as disabled access and safety rules, by 2004.

MPs said they understood the RSC's complaints that the building was unsafe, that those with cheaper tickets had appalling views and that provisions for disabled theatregoers were inadequate.

Plans for the new complex will be revealed this summer and will include a theatre, a venue to replace the Other Place, and various exhibitions and educational initiatives as part of a themed village that will build on the three million visitors to Stratford each year. Only 600,000 of those visitors buy tickets to RSC plays and the company feels more needs to be done to attract them in "daylight hours".

Veteran actor Sir Michael Gambon believes the changes are unnecessary and many others have shuddered at the idea of a Warwickshire "Shakespeareland", something the RSC assured critics it had no plans for.

At least Prince Charles is on our side.

26-02-2008, 03:50 PM	#31 (permalink)
Mari Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 98	Prince Charles, against moder and horrible new devopment I came across this old news from the Guardian.uk The Royal Shakespeare Company's controversial plan to demolish its Stratford playhouse and build a £100m riverside "theatre village" was unanimously approved by a committee of MPs yesterday, giving a much needed boost to the beleaguered artistic director, Adrian Noble. Ignoring criticism by traditionalists - among them Prince Charles who has warned against a "modern and horrible" new development - MPs on the media and culture select committee, led by Gerald Kaufman, said change was necessary. They said the 70-year-old grade II listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre offered "neanderthal conditions" unable to do Shakespeare justice. The committee found the art deco venue would no longer comply with statutory requirements, such as disabled access and safety rules, by 2004. MPs said they understood the RSC's complaints that the building was unsafe, that those with cheaper tickets had appalling views and that provisions for disabled theatregoers were inadequate. Plans for the new complex will be revealed this summer and will include a theatre, a venue to replace the Other Place, and various exhibitions and educational initiatives as part of a themed village that will build on the three million visitors to Stratford each year. Only 600,000 of those visitors buy tickets to RSC plays and the company feels more needs to be done to attract them in "daylight hours". Veteran actor Sir Michael Gambon believes the changes are unnecessary and many others have shuddered at the idea of a Warwickshire "Shakespeareland", something the RSC assured critics it had no plans for. At least Prince Charles is on our side.