Sach accuses council of setting Harlow Playhouse on path to closure

Published Tuesday 23 October 2007 at 14:50 by Lalayn Baluch

A former manager of the Harlow Playhouse has accused the local council of a “calculated and malicious” attempt to “set it on the path of closure”.

The future of the Essex theatre has been in question since Harlow Council revealed the venue had overspent by approximately £70,000 against its budget for 2006/07. Theatre manager Phil Dale was suspended last month although the council will not confirm why this action was taken.

In a letter to council members, Laurence Sach - who managed The Playhouse from 1998 until 2000 and was previously head of arts at the local authority until 2005 - complained he was dissatisfied with the council’s handling of the situation.

He wrote: “The inexcusable delay in reinstating the Playhouse manager must by now be having the most serious and detrimental effect on its operation not to mention forward planning and staff morale. The cumulative effect can have only one outcome - the service becoming inoperable.”

Sach also questioned why interviews to appoint a Playhouse financial manager had been cancelled, when it had been identified that the position was essential in order to successfully run the theatre.

He added: “My concern is so great I can interpret current actions only in one way - as a deliberate, calculated and malicious attempt to inflict maximum damage on the Playhouse and set it on the path to closure.”

Figures show the venue overspent by £14,000 on utility bills, lost £18,000 from hired events underperforming, and the venue was£9,000 over budget on employee related costs.

The theatre’s catering lost £14,000, and the marketing department overspent by £10,000. Last year the Playhouse was also over budget, spending £90,000 more than expected.

A council spokesperson said: “We do not disclose any information about personal matters affecting our employees. Arrangements are in place to ensure the continued operation of the Playhouse and its staffing. The councilreiterates there are no plans to close the Playhouse.”

He also confirmed that marketing and PR manager Mark Fletcher is overseeing managerial responsibilities.