Memorandum submitted by Arts Council England
BRIDEWELL THEATRE
ROLE
Arts Council England values the work of the
Bridewell Theatre and considers that it contributes to the infrastructure
for developing Music Theatre in three ways:
— Development, production and presentation
of new Musical Theatre
— Skills development in Musical Theatre
for professionals and young people
— Provision of a London showcase for
touring music theatre companies to stage their work, often following
development at a venue such as BAC, and prior to national touring.
Currently the Bridewell's contribution in these
strategic areas is emergent but it has potential to further develop
its role.
FUNDING HISTORY
The Bridewell has received significant project
funding in the past for capital development, organisational development,
youth programmes and the production of musicals. This includes
four grants totalling £64,000 since December last year and
a total since 1997 of £171,691. A full list is attached—see
Annex 1.
In 2001, following the Theatre Review, Arts
Council London, then London Arts, held a competitive tender for
organisations requiring two-year venue development funding to
support the costs of artistic programming (£30,000 per annum
from 2002-03). The Bridewell was one of a limited number of venues
invited to apply but was not successful. The Theatre was given
clear feedback on the weaknesses in its proposal.
Arts Council London recently began an evaluation
of the two-year funding programme with a view to running a similar
programme for 2004-05 to 2005-06. Tenders to the new programme
are due to be invited at the beginning of December 2003, with
funding decisions confirmed by the end of February 2004. Arts
Council London anticipates that the Bridewell will be asked to
tender a proposal for the new programme.
In general, the Arts Council's London office
notes a strengthening relationship with and increased investment
in the theatre over recent years.
CURRENT SITUATION
AT BRIDEWELL
The Bridewell has provided regular briefings
to Arts Council London about its current premises and future options.
Following discussion at a meeting in May 2003 the Bridewell successfully
applied to the new Grants for the Arts programme for £16,600
to support consultancy work and to buy management time to focus
on securing the theatre's future. Arts Council London has also
offered support, advice and access to key contacts if required.
The Bridewell Theatre does have the potential
to develop its contribution to music theatre, particularly in
the field of musicals. However, a question mark hangs over both
the long-term home of the Bridewell and the viability of the theatre's
revenue operation.
In considering the possibility of future core
revenue support for the Bridewell, the Arts Council needs to take
account of the following:
— The increase in rental and the loss
of the Institute's grant represents an immediate revenue shortfall
for the theatre of around £110,000 per year. However, the
funding requirement is not limited to this figure.
— The Arts Council actively encourages
local partnership funding for the arts organisations it supports.
In almost no circumstance would the Arts Council replace local
funding.
— Without a corresponding enhancement
in the artistic activity and strategic role of the theatre, subsidy
could offer poor value for money. Substantial organisational growth
would require still further investment in the theatre's infrastructure.
— The Bridewell does not currently
pay union minimum rates to all staff and artistic personnel for
all projects and this is a condition of core revenue funding from
the Arts Council. Although it might be possible to negotiate a
staged introduction of union rates with Equity a minimum starting
point would be 50% and increased revenue for subsequent years
would need to be identified.
The economy of the Bridewell Theatre is problematic
because:
— musicals as a form are relatively
expensive to produce
— the development of new work is costly
— the Bridewell's scale and intimacy—though
ideal for its development role—means that its box office
potential is necessarily limited
— there is a ceiling to prices that
can be charged for developmental or unproven new work
— the Bridewell lacks the commercial
partnerships and associated income streams one might expect to
find in US models
— The Arts Council has already committed
its resources available for revenue funding for 2004-05 and 2005-06.
Consequently, the Arts Council is of the view
that core revenue funding at a sufficient level to meet the above
needs is currently beyond our resources.
The Arts Council is considering the Bridewell's
potential for entry to the Recovery programme. However Recovery
can only provide a bridge to a sustainable future. Such a future
is not yet clear.
The Arts Council remains keen to work with the
Bridewell to further develop its artistic and strategic contribution
to Musical Theatre over the next few years with a view to considering
core revenue funding in future if funds permit.
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