Another commmunity theatre in trouble to the Great God Mammon!

Norma | 19/08/2009 - 20:31

It's time, once again to get behind another of our local theatres who are in danger!

Harbour Theatre in Fremantle, who have had more than their fair share of problems over the past few years are once again in danger of losing it all,

To recap, for many many years Harbour was situated in what is now Kulcha on South Terrace,Fremantle. Sure the stairs to climb were a bit of a problem to the older folk but they managed it and it was a lovely intimate atmosphere. However the powers-that-be decided that they had to go to make room for a better money- making venture and so they became gypsies for some time while searching for a home. Several productions were staged at Tivoli's home in Applecross and they were grateful for the support from that company, but there's nothing like a home of your own. Eventually, after considering a merger with Melville ,Harbour were granted a place in the Fremantle Edication Centre. The members rallied round and virtually built the theatre fom scratch . since then many a fine production has taken place.

Here I declare an interest as I am a member of Harbour, and have many fond ( and not so fond) memories of having to change and make-up among the computers in room 10! however after much negotiating Harbour was granted 'exclusive' use of Room 10 as a dressing room/props & scenery room/green room/ and general 'everything' room- at a cost I may add.

Now, after many complicated arrangements of leases and sub-leases between the Fremantle City Council, DOLA and the National Trust, it seems that Harbour Theatre are no longer regarded as welcome. The theatre has been existing on very short term leases for some time now. Recently, as audiences will have noted refreshments have had to be served in a passage-way due to the re-organising of Femantle Ed Centres classes etc. To add to this Harbour Theatre have now been informed that FEC (Freo Education Centre) are applying for money to renovate room 10 as a 'training room' and therefore it will no longer be available to Harbour. As this is the one and only access to the stage it would be impossible for them to continue not to mention that they would no longer have ANY dressing-room or storage etc etc.

President Nicola Bond and the committee are embarking on a campaign to SAVE HARBOUR THEATRE and the ITA urges ALL of the local theatres to rally to the cause.

We will be sending out a letter to all ITA club members soon to set out the facts and we do ask that you all take a few minutes in your busy schedues to support a fellow club in trouble.

In the meantime Harbour are soldiering on, with 'Move Over Mrs Markham to open soon and the final show for the year "Oliver Twist' going into productin in spite of the cloud hanging over them.

Thank you all for stopping to read this, and your support will be welcome.

Norma Davis (ITA Secretary & Member of Harbour Theate).

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I'm really sorry and

Author: Tim Prosser
Date: 19/08/2009 - 21:02

I'm really sorry and shocked to read this news, Norma, as Harbour gave me my start in Community Theatre and I'd hate to think of them without a home...again.

It's no secret that I'd like to have a break from theatre for a while...indeed, I've been forced to take it earlier than I wanted to with these blasted health problems...and I saw Rob's audition notice for Oliver Twist, thinking "what a shame it couldn't be some time NEXT year, because I've always wanted to have a go at Fagin"...but this news might just cause me to reconsider my position at the moment. I'll call Peter and Nicola tomorrow about auditioning.

In the meantime, I don't know what I can do to help with their predicament, other than offering moral support. Would a merger with Melville not be such a bad thing, I wonder?

Per Ardua Ad Astra

Will the SAVE HARBOUR

Author: Mandy Russon (not verified)
Date: 22/08/2009 - 10:07

Will the SAVE HARBOUR THEATRE campaign information also be posted here?

There is always Phoenix,

Author: JoeMc
Date: 20/08/2009 - 11:03

There is always Phoenix, that could be utalised, untill they can aquire a perminant venue.

Although with the lastest push by the State Gov, to combine small councils. I would imagine that Fremantle & North fremantle will merge together anyway. So future possiblities there.

Also Cockburn city covers part of South Fremantle, so harbour could still retain it's fremantle idenity.

With Phoenix they possibly could negotiate some storage & a rehearsal venue at the Joe Cooper Centre as well. Just a thought!

North Fremantle is already

Author: Warren Richardson (not verified)
Date: 20/08/2009 - 11:31

North Fremantle is already officially part of the City of Fremantle. The Town of East Fremantle is still currently a council in its own right.

G'donya Warren, I ment East

Author: JoeMc
Date: 20/08/2009 - 12:13

G'donya Warren, I ment East fremantle!

{havent had my pills toay]

You never know Cockburn could gobble up both of the fremantles &/or Mellvile as well.

I know! Why doesn't Harbour

Author: Walter Plingery (not verified)
Date: 20/08/2009 - 14:05

I know! Why doesn't Harbour merge with Acorn Theatre. That should solve both problems Smiling

And then we can both be

Author: Sharon Mobilia
Date: 21/08/2009 - 15:37

And then we can both be without permanant venues, Gosnells council are dragging their heels with us (Acorn) but we still have our fingers, legs, eyes crossed for good news.

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." Katherine Hepburn.

Hi Norma Yes it has always

Author: Leon Ousby
Date: 20/08/2009 - 14:44

Hi Norma

Yes it has always been the case with the lease. I will make a call. What are Harbour theatre's prospects? What do they intend to do? I would not like, like many others, see Harbour homeless... but I do know people on the council of fremantle... When does their lease run out...?

Leon (Make your next step the right step)

Fremantle councillors can

Author: Bathers Beach Boy (not verified)
Date: 20/08/2009 - 18:13

Fremantle councillors can be contacted via members@fremantle.wa.gov.au

Norma Davis

Author: Norma
Date: 20/08/2009 - 20:44

I have no idea why my name just 'appeared' all of a sudden without any message- guess i must have just hit a wrong button-sorry

Harbour@Phoenix?

Author: stinger
Date: 21/08/2009 - 10:19

I endorse Joe (gaafa) McCabe's comments above. I also intend writing to Fremantle Council thanking them for their 'balanced' approach to community assets, since Phoenix Theatre (well-supported by City of Cockburn Council) is likely to be the ultimate beneficiary Eye-wink

And yes, as well as being current chairman of Phoenix, I too am also a long-standing member of Harbour Smiling

Ssstinger>>>

Sadly... it looks like

Author: Leon Ousby
Date: 21/08/2009 - 10:31

Sadly... it looks like Harbour will have to move on... I spoke to the manager of the building trust yesterday and he informed me that they have been given a grant to improve the building to provide a service to under privileged students. The Theatre is soon to become a building site. I think Harbour theatre really ended when they left the old Evans’s Davies building many moons ago. Joyce Birch who was one of the original contributors to building the theatre along with with George, Joyce Iles are long gone. There are still members there today that have been part of Harbour theatre’s history. We can only hope that a suitable venue is found to accommodate this historic club. It is sad to hear that problems have arisen again. But, like many others, we are all confidant that the club will find a suitable venue.

Leon (Make your next step the right step)

So have you started

Author: Penelope Kohl (not verified)
Date: 21/08/2009 - 16:35

So have you started lobbying the council for help?

so have you started

Author: Norma
Date: 21/08/2009 - 16:52

Yes we sure have!

And have they given theyir

Author: Penelope Kohl (not verified)
Date: 21/08/2009 - 22:16

And have they given theyir usual bunch of empty promises or are they actually doing anything?

Maybe you should try the

Author: Adam Black (not verified)
Date: 22/08/2009 - 09:55

Maybe you should try the new member for Fremantle i WA's State Parliament, Adele Carles?

Electorate Office:
Shop 1
Queensgate Centre
William Street
Fremantle WA 6160
Ph: 9336 7000
Fax: 9430 4564
Email: adele.carles@mp.wa.gov.au

Maybe you should try the..

Author: Norma
Date: 22/08/2009 - 10:58

Nicola Bond has written to just about everyone she can think of but it needs back-up from the local theate community. That's why I posted her letter in its entirity on the billboards last night and will be posting letters to all local clubs this weekend.

Which billboard? Here on

Author: Sami Hartill (not verified)
Date: 22/08/2009 - 11:09

Which billboard? Here on Theatre Australia?

Which Billboard?

Author: Norma
Date: 22/08/2009 - 14:00

Yes, that one, under the heading Harbour Theatre.

Where exactly? There's

Author: Sami Hartill (not verified)
Date: 22/08/2009 - 14:20

Where exactly? There's nothing marked "Harbour Theatre" under Billboard Bulletins, there's nothing under their company listing and there's no blogposts relating to it. Can you please provide a link as to where this information is?

Scroll down about six

Author: Tim Prosser
Date: 22/08/2009 - 14:32

Scroll down about six inches on this same page and you'll see Forum Topic...Harbour Theatre, by Norma. Pretty simple, really!

Per Ardua Ad Astra

I can't see anything on

Author: Sami Hartill (not verified)
Date: 22/08/2009 - 14:39

I can't see anything on this page: http://www.theatre.asn.au/forum/1

Is that where you mean?

The 'Recent Posts' page!

Author: Tim Prosser
Date: 22/08/2009 - 14:50

The 'Recent Posts' page! Alright, SEVEN inches down...does that help?

Per Ardua Ad Astra

I can't see anything on....

Author: Norma
Date: 22/08/2009 - 14:51

Go to "all recent posts" - scroll down and it's number 11_at least it was 30 seconds ago!

Forum topic-Harbour Theatre-Norma

Found it now! It's at this

Author: Sami Hartill (not verified)
Date: 22/08/2009 - 14:57

Found it now! It's at this link: http://www.theatre.asn.au/billboard_bulletins/harbour_theatre

It refers to an "enclosed letter" - where do we get this from? Is there a PDF of it on this website?

So what's the latest on

Author: Harbour Supporter (not verified)
Date: 14/10/2009 - 10:27

So what's the latest on Harbour Theatre? There's another Fremantle Council meeting tonight (14th October). Have any decisions been made?

Discussions still ongoing

Author: robtag
Date: 15/10/2009 - 15:58

Nothing can go to Council for approval just yet as discussions are still ongoing between the City of Fremantle officers & Harbour Theatre looking at alternative venues. Once a venue has been found, then it goes to Council for approval.

Needless to say Oliver will be Harbour's last production in the Princess May Building - but we are planning on performing in 2010, even in a temporary venue until a more permanent solution is found.

Sorry but I can't say too much more as this time, but we will certainly inform our fellow thespians of any developments once they are confirmed Smiling

Ciao
Rob

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Another commmunity theatre in trouble to the Great God Mammon!

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