Future’s not bright at the Orange Tree

Published Monday 28 January 2008 at 19:20

Josie Rourke of the Bush Theatre says of the theatres designated by Arts Council England as her “peers” that “none of these venues invest the same time and money as the Bush in new writing” (The Stage, page 5, January 10).

On behalf of this peer venue, I can certainly confirm that. The Bush has a terrific and justified reputation for its nurturing of new writers. But other theatres have other claims to funding.

What the Orange Tree has had for 17 years, is a theatre building to maintain. We have also, over the years, developed a bit of a reputation for reviving forgotten plays from the days when cast sizes were not a management consideration. Last season our plays in order numbered casts of 15, 15, 11, 10, 13 and 13. Not a bad employment rate. Often at the same time there were schools projects working extensively outside our home venue involving a further five or six actors. And there was a trainee directors showcase production with ten actors. That unique 20 year old scheme will cease if our funding cut is ratified.

Like the Bush, the Orange Tree’s excellence is not in question. Although is that necessarily how a cut will be perceived by the public? We are the victim of being in a culturally well served area apparently - unlike Islington and Camden and the rest of central London, I presume.

Sam Walters

Artistic director

Orange Tree Theatre

Clarence Street

Richmond