Hall’s new Kingston theatre to open on Sundays and close on Mondays and Tuesdays

Published Tuesday 25 July 2006 at 15:20 by Nuala Calvi

Peter Hall plans to pilot a new scheme of Sunday openings with closures on two week days at the forthcoming Rose of Kingston theatre, to encourage venues across the country to follow suit and operate more family friendly hours.

Speaking at a recent public meeting about the venue’s future, the artistic director said he intended to open the theatre for two performances a day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but schedule no performances on Mondays and Tuesdays. The building is expected to be hired out for use as a cabaret or comedy venue at the start of the week.

Hall told The Stage he planned to write Sunday working into staff contracts from the outset, avoiding the problem, experienced by other theatres wanting to host weekend performances, that unions demand extra money and time off in lieu for their members. He said he hoped the move would help The National Theatre fulfil its intention of opening on Sundays.

“For years I ran the National, seeing the Royal Festival Hall and Hayward Gallery thronging with people on Sundays while we were closed - it was ridiculous,” he said. “People go to the theatre on Sundays in Europe and America and it’s the best day of the week. It’s crazy we don’t do it.”

Bectu’s supervisory official Willy Donaghy said what happened at the Rose was unlikely to affect the union’s ongoing talks with the National about Sunday openings. However, he said it would be “very difficult” to stop managers writing Sunday working into contracts at the Kingston venue.

“The reality is that because it’s a new building we have no members there yet, so they can invite staff to work on any contracts the management dream up,” he said. “The only way we could stop them is if they became a member of the Theatrical Management Association.”

An Equity spokesman said it had no difficulties “in principle” with Sunday openings but the union would want to secure additional money and time off for actors. “We would need to talk to him about what his ideas are,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hall has admitted that he cannot say when the long-awaited venue will finally open. “It’s been three and a half years and I’m getting impatient,” he added.