In discussions with Graves Cumberland Limited (Graves), Opera Action Limited (OAL) are happy to hear that there are no immediate plans to develop the Opera House site. Consequently OAL plan to continue to have a watching brief on the development in the hope that as the economy improves funding may become available. OAL are pleased to see the proposed developments at the Carnegie, as these will continue to provide a performance space for local groups.
We are pleased to have secured some excellent professional help, confirming that the Opera House is a fantastic opportunity to bring large scale professional entertainment into the area and that our proposal has merit. Equally by raising the matter we have given local people an opportunity to be involved in what happens to the Opera House.
The local arts groups in the Town are all concerned about the future of performance facilities in the Town and they have their own identity and buildings to preserve. We have all read issues concerning the Theatre Royal and the Carnegie and as a Town we need to encourage support for these groups, as without them the Town would be the poorer.
OAL is disappointed not to have been able to attract the necessary funding to constructively take this matter forward with Graves.
OAL have to accept that in the current climate there are many claims on funding bodies, equally it is proving difficult to gather the required support from within the local community. We would still benefit from others joining the committee particularly people with a financial and or legal background.
