So, as reported in the Stage this week, an independent report commission by the Arts Council England (ACE) has confirmed that the Royal Opera House plans to transform the Manchester Palace Theatre into a northern base for the company are “not yet viable”. Surprised?  Neither am I!

This announcement follows months of speculation from when the idea was first released into the public eye.  Various reports followed during the course of last autumn which I reported on in September, October and November and this latest development doesn’t really throw up any new or fresh ideas or opinions, just reiterates concerns already discussed albeit in a more official manner.

The report states that local organisations have expressed concern over the impact if this project goes ahead.  Organisations such as The Lowry, a £116 million venture (paid for through public funds) that has proved hugely successful and a massive benefit to the arts scene in Manchester and which is the local base of Opera North, an opera company continuing to go from strength to strength.  The Lowry predicts losing £1.5 million a year and 50,000 customers. No doubt, although I am willing to be corrected, that figure equates to the amount of Opera tickets the venue sells during the course of a year

Bearing in mind the huge amount of money invested into the Lowry, the question begs to be asked whether, if the ROH go ahead with the plans, the proposed expenditure of £100 million on transforming the Palace Theatre into a suitable base for ROH is necessary. Id love to know exactly what that phenomenal amount of money would actually be spent on. Then on top of that the ROH state that they will need £16 million per year running cost provided, no doubt, by ACE which is funded by the Government using public money.

I can’t begin to imagine the controversy if the ACE commit to that level of finding considering the amount of funding the organisation a) already gives the ROH in London and b) has cut from smaller and equally as worthy companies over the last year or two causing many small arts companies to shut down.

‘Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council - which is leading the scheme with the ROH - said: “Royal Opera House Manchester would be a substantial local employer, creating over 500 full-time equivalent jobs, providing a unique hub for the development of creative skills and training across all arts venues in the city region.”‘

Excellent!  But at what cost? Benefits there may be but it also seems to me a lot of people have a lot to lose if this project goes ahead. The Lowry, Opera North and current customers of the Palace Theatre especially musicals fans all stand to lose out for if the ROH moves into the Palace will there still be room for the biggest and best of the touring musicals and spectacular stage shows?  As I have pointed out before the (current) Manchester Opera House stage certainly isn’t large enough to accommodate the likes of Mary Poppins and Miss Saigon etc. Are Manchester audiences going to lose out on these shows?

There is still much to consider and I hope the ROH and Manchester City Council and ensure they take into account all considerations from all points of view including that of the Manchester theatregoers.

I also hope they remember the 1980’s when the ROH last decided it would move to Manchester. The project was ill-fated and the company came to Manchester for only two seasons before the Arts Council withdrew its funding and the project collapsed.  An escapade to be proud of?

I wonder how far this new project will get before someone decides it’s actually a bit silly and the whole thing gets abandoned. Then again, maybe it’ll be a roaring success. Who knows?

-Malcolm Wallace

This entry was posted on Friday, March 13th, 2009 at 10:51 am and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.