Last updated at 11:51, Thursday, 18 October 2012

WHITEHAVEN Theatre Group says it may have to fold if the town’s Civic Hall closes down.

Curtain call? Whitehaven Theatre Group has started a petition to save the Civic Hall

The group, which performs throughout the year in the Civic Hall, says that it will have “no option than to call it a day” if it loses the facility.

Copeland Council announced last week that it proposes to withdraw funding to the Civic’s operators North Country Leisure, meaning that if no alternative groups are found to run the venue it will close by November next year

The theatre group has therefore started a petition to keep the Civic – and the equally under-threat Beacon and tourist information centre – open.

Shaun Donald, vice-chairman of WTG, says that losing the Civic would be huge blow to the children and adult performers in the group. “Has anyone thought about the repercussions of closing the Civic Hall, and the effects it will have on small community organisations like us?

“We currently have over 40 children signed up to our group, and a further 20 to 30 adult members who come together as a group all year round to deliver the highest possible standard of theatrical entertainment to Whitehaven and surrounding areas.

“We give stage experience to budding actors and actresses, dancers and singers. And many of them go onto study in the performing arts. The Civic is the venue of Whitehaven’s annual pantomime – this year’s it’s Aladdin in December – which people travel from miles around to come and see.

“For many it marks the beginning of the festive period and is a fundamental part of many families’ routine leading up to Christmas. Children and adults alike talk about Whitehaven’s pantomime for months before, and after, the holiday season.

“I hope Copeland Council seriously reconsiders its options, and decides against what would be a grave mistake.”

Meanwhile, performers and community groups who use the Civic Hall have spoken out against its possible closure.

Tom Hingley, the ex-Inspiral Carpets frontman who has regularly gigged at the Civic and plays there again tomorrow (Friday), said the venue’s closure would be “a mistake”.

“I’ve done a few shows there and it’s always a really good place. It would be a real shame if Whitehaven lost such a special venue – it’s the town’s cultural centre and is the fabric of the town’s music scene.”

Danny Maudling, whose Mighty Boof Promotions has staged many concerts in the Civic, said: “I think it would be a crying shame for the Civic Hall to close.

“Not only is it our only venue of its size in this area but it’s the hub of a lot of a music and arts activities in West Cumbria.

“One of the reasons I started putting on gigs is, when I was growing up in West Cumbria, there was not a lot of gigs happening; we had to travel miles to go to concerts.

“Closing the Civic puts West Cumbria’s music scene back to square one as there will be no venue to bring bigger artists to, as well as to promote our own gigs with local musicians.

“If we don’t have a stage to play on we don’t have a gig”.

Musician Mark Rothery, from popular Whitehaven band Mazzoni, added: “Losing the Civic would be a massive blow to the town’s music scene as it is the premier music venue and the gig that all up-and-coming bands aspire to play.

“When we first set out, we were desperate to get a gig at the Civic, and when we did, it lived up to expectations as it is a fantastic venue to perform at.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to play with some big names at the Civic over the years, and the concern is that without this venue, Whitehaven will no longer be able to attract the likes of Ocean Colour Scene and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club which, in turn, will mean that local acts will no longer get the opportunities to share the stage with these established bands.”

Local singer Judith Jones, who first performed at the Civic Hall in 1967, hopes that the venue can be kept open, run by a volunteer group as a social enterprise, and she is happy to offer her services.

“People from this area need a platform to perform; and it’s always been considered quite an honour to appear on the Civic Hall stage.

“There’s nowhere else like it locally and it would be tragic if it’s lost. The heart of the town would be ripped out.

“It needs a volunteer group with the interests of the town at heart to step up and keep it open.”

Whitehaven Male Voice Choir has performed regularly at the Civic Hall since 1980.

The choir’s Don Messenger said: “We love performing at the Civic and we have a very good relationship with them. We bring in professional performers to sing alongside us and we like to bring them into the centre of the town; it’s our hub after all.

“The closure of the Civic would be a disaster for us, plus all the other groups that use it. Where will they go?”

First published at 11:08, Thursday, 18 October 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk