WA theatre companies face hire fee hike

Local Western Australia theatre companies are being priced out of using the new State Theatre Centre next year, Shadow Arts Minister John Hyde said today.

Local Western Australia theatre companies are being priced out of using the new State Theatre Centre next year, Shadow Arts Minister John Hyde said today.

Mr Hyde said the Barnett Government was repeating all the mistakes from when they built the Belltower by not making arts infrastructure affordable for local audiences.

“The Barnett Government is mismanaging the delivery of WA arts infrastructure. Local arts companies are shocked at the prices they are being expected to pay to use the new building’s theatres and rehearsal spaces,” Mr Hyde said.

“Labor not only funded and started the new theatre but also boosted local companies operating budgets through the $90 million Ignite package.

“The Barnett Government’s axing of Ignite initiatives and their failure to renew many of those extra incentives means Western Australia is going to have one of the world’s best theatres which locals can’t afford to use.”

Mr Hyde said when the original Subiaco Theatre Centre was built it was an affordable venue which head tenant Hole In The Wall could afford to use for 10 productions a year.

“Black Swan, as head tenant at the State Theatre Centre, will be lucky to afford five mainstage productions next year.”

Mr Hyde said the theatre opening had been delayed again and was now not expected until the end of January 2011.