THE Chief Minister has criticised the management of Jersey Opera House claiming they are “digging their heels in” and being unwilling to stage shows at the newly-refurbished facility amid a row over the need for technical upgrades.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham said ministers had received an audit report stating that the equipment, while “quite old”, was “usable and fully functional” and that the venue was “quite capable of staging shows”.
The comments followed a question from Deputy Montfort Tadier about an open letter from the Performing Arts Development Group, which said that the Opera House, recently refurbished at a cost of £12.7 million, would not be usable for many types of show.
Deputy Tadier repeated comments made to the JEP by PADG chair Tim Evans about the situation being akin to building an airport while forgetting to install landing lights or a control tower, and sought a commitment from Deputy Farnham to find a solution to the issue.
Having highlighted the audit report about the venue being able to stage shows, Deputy Farnham added: “It is a huge disappointment that the current management are not prepared [to stage shows] and have put their heels in the ground and said they’re not prepared to do anything unless they get all of the new equipment – that’s very disappointing given the amount of taxpayers’ money that’s been spent.”
Deputy Farnham admitted that, in hindsight, the project should have included some of the equipment being asked for, but pointed out that this had been requested at a late stage.
He added: “I’m sure the government will find a contribution towards that equipment in due course, but let’s be clear – the Opera House can open and stage shows. We might not be able to get the all-singing, all-dancing West End touring shows over right now but I’d like to see the Opera House open for Liberation 80 with a great concert.”
Deputy Tadier pointed out that several other arts organisations had supported the call for upgraded equipment, including the Jersey Amateur Dramatic Club, Jersey Green Room Theatre Company, The Curtain Up Theatre Group, TimpanAli Productions, Jersey Symphony Orchestra Association and Jersey Island Singers.
“These are not clubs and associations which complain readily,” he said.
Acknowledging that the groups mentioned were “well-respected and contributed a lot” to Jersey, Deputy Farnham said that the solution would need to be a “sensible” one that delivered “best value for the taxpayer”.
“It would be preferable to update the ageing equipment, we’ve just got to sit down and find the right path to do that as quickly as possible,” he said.
“In the meantime I’d urge those in charge to relax their current position and get something going on there – they would have our full support.”
