The Stage

SOLT rejects Theatre Museum scheme

Published Wednesday 19 July 2006 at 16:50 by Alistair Smith

Exclusive: Plans for the future of the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden have been dealt a vital blow after West End managers and producers rejected calls to join a partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Opera House aimed at creating a revamped institution on the site.

While the Society of London Theatre had not committed itself formally to the project, organisers were optimistic that its board would approve joining the scheme and contributing funds to redevelop the museum with an increased emphasis on interactivity and education work.

SOLT chief executive Richard Pulford, however, confirmed that the organisation would not be working with the V&A and ROH on its future plans for the Theatre Museum. He added: “The board has decided it would rather use its resource for audience development elsewhere… we are not going to be in a formal partnership with the V&A and ROH.”

He also stressed that discussions had not been about how to keep the Theatre Museum but rather “a future use for the premises in Russell Street”.

The move will mark a serious set back for organisers as SOLT’s presence was seen by many as essential to offset fears that the proposals could represent a take-over by the the opera house. A further search is now expected to find partners for the scheme.

In a statement, the V&A stressed it was continuing with its timetable and that the museum would most likely shut from December for renovation work to set up the new programme. “The V&A and Royal Opera House are continuing discussions over the future of the Theatre Museum site in Covent Garden,” it explained. “Both organisations expect to issue a detailed statement about proposals for the building in autumn 2006.

“The two organisations hope to be able to announce details of a partnership and a new programme of exhibitions and educational events based on their collections. It is expected that, following the announcement, there will be a temporary closure for building work to create new exhibition and education spaces. Although details are yet to be confirmed, this is most likely to be from the end of 2006 until autumn 2007.”

John Levitt, chairman of Save London’s Theatres Campaign and a leading figure in the campaign to keep the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden, said SOLT’s decision to pull out was “a disappointment”.

He added: “It’s a pity. I’d have thought that any input from theatre managements large and small has to be a good thing. I also think it would have brought a balance that may now not be there.” Levitt also stressed that he hoped that SOLT might still consider getting involved with helping to increase the amount of material available in the museum’s video archive.