Stalemate may force theatre to close

THE management of Brixham Theatre is "back to square one" with fears raised it may even shut in April if a resolution isn't found.

Brixham Arts and Theatre Society and Brixham Amateur Operatic have not managed to resolve the running of the theatre, despite making earlier progress.

Brixham and Torbay councillor Mike Morey warned "We want to see the two parties talking to each other, look at the theatre's finances and make a decision on who's going to run it by next month.

"It feels like we're back to square one, but it will have to be resolved soon because in April the place will close otherwise."

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The drama saw the two groups at odds throughout the summer following a decision by Brixham Town Council sub-committee to give the management of the port's theatre to one group against the wishes of the other.

When a September Brixham Town council meeting rescinded its original decision on the management of the theatre, and BOADS decided to throw in the towel so long as certain conditions were met by BATS, the end of the matter seemed close.

However, the subject came back once again on the agenda at last week's council meeting after it was claimed none of the parties involved had ironed out their differences.

Cecilia Kean, chairman of BATS, said it was Brixham Town Council who seemed to be procrastinating.

She said: "At the last meeting BOADS gave us some conditions. We wrote back to them, but we have not heard anything since. Then Brixham Town Council put the item back on the agenda.

"It has been adjourned once again until December. We don't seem to be getting anywhere. There is a lot of procrastination. All we want is to get on with running the theatre and putting great shows on."

Gillian Bovey, chairman of BOADS, said: "We have tried to talk to BATS. We are open to negotiations, but right now we are in the middle of a show so we are concentrating on that. We want all this to be sorted out soon."

Cllr Morey said: "The council decided not to take any decision, but have asked councillors Martyn Hodge and Lynne Armstrong to try to bring the two parties together to come to a mutual agreement.

"We want to see the two parties talking to each other, look at the theatre's finances and make a decision on who's going to run by next month."

Following lengthy discussions, members of the Brixham Town Council voted to resolve to make "no decision on the management of the theatre until after the two groups (BATS and BOADS) have met with Cllrs Hodge and Armstrong, come to an agreement and due diligence reports have been carried out into both groups".