Plan welcomed but tower poses fly in the ointment

Theatre experts have given a cautious welcome to the proposed auditorium along Bognor Regis seafront.

The Theatres Trust says the idea is worth pursuing because it will keep live entertainment alive in the town.

But the national guardians of theatres say they are worried the 7m-9m scheme put forward by Locum Consulting using experienced theatre architects Andrzej Blonksi could be flawed.

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Mark Price, the trust's planning and architecture adviser, says it is keen to ensure that the new theatre will be fit for purpose. The preferred option of a 500-seat venue capable of staging screen and stage productions lacks a fly tower and an orchestra pit.

A fly tower is a part of a theatre above the stage where scenery in the form of gauzes, cloths and flats are stored for each performance and '˜flown in' when needed.

Stage lighting rigged on lighting pipes are often also '˜flown in' giving lighting designers much more scope for flexible lighting designs.

'The Theatres Trust would need to be assured that the preferred option does not rule out the possibility of including these elements,' says Mr Price.

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'The current programming is for productions that require a fly tower and an orchestra pit. We are aware of the Hotham Arts Centre's current limitations in terms of flying that prevents certain producers and promoters from hiring the venue.

'Obviously, future artistic policy might call for something different but the council should be aware that the Theatres Trust considers these elements crucial in order to accommodate touring medium-scale and in-house productions, such as pantomime, that will contribute significantly to the business case.'

But Mr Price states the trust welcomes and supports the Locum report overall because it includes the building of a new theatre to replace the Hotham Arts Centre. 'Performing arts venues are required elements of a sustainable community, providing social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits as well as regeneration.

'We, therefore, support the concept of a new and improved facility,' he says.

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'A purpose-built performance venue would build on what is already on offer at the Hotham Arts Centre and suggest the town pursues the opportunity to deliver a destination film and performance venue on the seafront location.'

The Theatres Trust is the national advisory public body for theatres. It has to be consulted on every planning application which affects land on which any theatre stands.

Mr Price's comments were reported to district councillors at last Wednesday'sspecial council meeting. Arun's councillor in charge of regeneration, Cllr Norman Dingemans, said he was happy to assure members that a fly tower and orchestra pit could be included in the final design for the auditorium.

But he stated it would be up to the operator chosen by the council to finally decide about the appropriate facilities needed to run the venue in line with the criteria set out by Arun.

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Three significant impacts had to be considered if a fly tower and orchestra pit were included. These were how much extra space would be needed, the expense of the additions and if it would affect the revenue generated from the venture.