Theatre Museum handed ROH lifeline

Published Tuesday 23 May 2006 at 14:40 by Alistair Smith

Covent Garden’s Theatre Museum has been granted a stay of execution, after months of campaigning to secure its future by The Stage and leading industry figures.

The board of trustees at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which controls funding for the Theatre Museum, has agreed to further investigate proposals arising from a recent consultation paper completed by concerned parties. Campaigners had feared that the organisation was set to lose its Covent Garden site, after two Heritage Lottery Fund bids for cash to redevelop the building had failed.

Following the trustees’ announcement, the neighbouring Royal Opera House’s plans for a partnership with the museum have emerged as the most likely way forward for the organisation to retain its Theatreland base.

A spokesperson for the V&A commented: “Following a period of consultation a number of proposals have emerged. These will now be explored in greater detail and the trustees will consider them again.

“The V&A and the Royal Opera House are in talks about a partnership to create a new education and display venue in Covent Garden centred on their joint collections and activities.”

Campaigners, Equity and the Save London’s Theatres Campaign, have welcomed the V&A’s decision suspend judgment on the organisation’s future. However, SLTC chair John Levitt warned that he was concerned at the wording of the V&A statement.

“What does ‘explore’ mean? “We very much hope they will be communicating with groups and exchanging views with professionals and other groups. If the future of the museum is to be ensured, they really must talk to the people who have the direct experience and knowledge,” he commented.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Stage, ROH chief executive Tony Hall said that he was “very optimistic” following the announcement and insisted that, if the Opera House’s plans to work with the Theatre Museum are to move ahead, it is crucial that it is a full partnership of all the performing arts and involves other industry bodies such as the Society of London Theatre.

He added: “The people I have been talking to are very excited about the future. I think SOLT is absolutely key to making the project work. We are only interested in a full partnership between ourselves, the Theatre Museum and SOLT.” The ROH board will meet this week to further discuss Hall’s proposals.