|
Post by Jan on Nov 2, 2022 4:17:29 GMT
The Donmar isn't in any in danger of going under so not sure why people are worried. Dont worry, no one is worried. It’s just that “not going under” is not much of an ambition for a place that used to be the hottest ticket in London.
|
|
4,038 posts
|
Post by kathryn on Nov 2, 2022 8:31:27 GMT
Yes, it’s just sad for those of us who used to regularly stake out a spot in the day seat queue. Inevitable though- nothing stays the same forever.
|
|
1,093 posts
|
Post by samuelwhiskers on Nov 2, 2022 11:50:06 GMT
Agreed. I still have a credit note from 2020. Just nothing that really appeals.
|
|
2,349 posts
|
Post by zahidf on Nov 4, 2022 11:22:42 GMT
It's just lost its NPO status and arts funding
|
|
3,084 posts
|
Post by Rory on Nov 4, 2022 11:58:07 GMT
It's just lost its NPO status and arts funding Terrible news and Hampstead Theatre is affected too by this.
|
|
|
Post by alessia on Nov 4, 2022 12:43:52 GMT
Awful, I have just heard too
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Nov 4, 2022 14:20:34 GMT
Can’t say I’m that bothered. From memory the ACE funding of the Donmar makes up a relatively small proportion of their total income and other theatres have prospered despite having their ACE funding totally cut - The Orange Tree for example.
|
|
6,334 posts
|
Post by Jon on Nov 4, 2022 14:29:56 GMT
Can’t say I’m that bothered. From memory the ACE funding of the Donmar makes up a relatively small proportion of their total income and other theatres have prospered despite having their ACE funding totally cut - The Orange Tree for example. I agree, it's not great but they'll survive. Hampstead on the other hand I'm not sure about.
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Nov 4, 2022 14:34:18 GMT
Can’t say I’m that bothered. From memory the ACE funding of the Donmar makes up a relatively small proportion of their total income and other theatres have prospered despite having their ACE funding totally cut - The Orange Tree for example. I agree, it's not great but they'll survive. Hampstead on the other hand I'm not sure about. Not sure Hampstead deserves to survive, it's been on life support for years. As far as I can see overall ACE total funding has increased but it's been redirected outside London - hard to argue that the Donmar should retain funding at the expense of regional organisations. The RSC lucky to get away without a funding cut - the new team in charge will have to work hard to justify that decision.
|
|
100 posts
|
Post by youngoffender on Nov 4, 2022 16:29:36 GMT
I suppose the challenge for the Donmar is the size of the venue - even with a full house, ticket revenues per show must be relatively modest. How much will they have to increase by without the ACE grant, and will that in turn deter the younger and less affluent?
You could argue that the Donmar earned its grant when it was producing shows that warranted NT Live broadcast around the country (the Hiddleston Coriolanus), or which contributed to British theatre's 'soft power' by transferring outside the UK (e.g. Red on Broadway). That's obviously not happening now. The only solution will be to put on shows that people are prepared to pay commercial prices for, which means more stars and a repertoire that is drama-led rather than agenda-led.
|
|
5,593 posts
|
Post by lynette on Nov 4, 2022 18:34:39 GMT
‘drama-led rather than agenda-led’ youngoffender
Yep, you said it. Let’s see what happens now.
|
|
|
Post by londonpostie on Nov 4, 2022 18:37:38 GMT
Yup, cannot get on with Michael Longhurst's programming. Lost me early doors.
|
|
|
Post by marob on Nov 4, 2022 23:58:50 GMT
His production of Amadeus at the NT was great, so if this means they have to shift focus more to crowd-pleasers and classics I think it could end up being a good thing.
|
|
6,334 posts
|
Post by Jon on Nov 5, 2022 1:21:13 GMT
I don't think the Donmar will shut up shop despite losing funding but I could see changing what they programme.
The fundraiser on Sunday will be interesting, I wouldn't be surprised if they see an increase in donations because of the news.
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Nov 5, 2022 10:13:52 GMT
According to their own website only 8% of the Donmar’s total income is from public funding. So no big deal to lose it I’d say.
|
|
966 posts
|
Post by alicechallice on Jan 26, 2023 12:24:58 GMT
WOS article says that Michael Longhurst is leaving after Next to Normal. Is that true? Absolutely no recollection of that being announced...
2 new productions announced: Private Lives & When Winston Went to War with the Wireless
|
|
966 posts
|
Post by alicechallice on Jan 26, 2023 12:27:19 GMT
WOS article says that Michael Longhurst is leaving after Next to Normal. Is that true? Absolutely no recollection of that being announced... 2 new productions announced: Private Lives & When Winston Went to War with the Wireless I see it's only been properly announced today.
|
|
2,349 posts
|
Post by zahidf on Jan 26, 2023 12:29:53 GMT
|
|
1,267 posts
|
Post by mkb on Jan 26, 2023 13:06:27 GMT
Does the Donmar do any presales after members' sales but before public sales, such as for customers of sponsors or holders of particular credit cards? (I.e. like the National does.)
|
|
1,093 posts
|
Post by samuelwhiskers on Jan 26, 2023 13:25:17 GMT
Ooh! Something that’s not dour and about the war, how fun. I wonder if my Covid cancellation ticket voucher is still good.
|
|
5,283 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 26, 2023 20:29:34 GMT
Yup, cannot get on with Michael Longhurst's programming. Lost me early doors. He needs to go. He’s absolutely sunk this theatre. No excitement at all.
|
|
3,084 posts
|
Post by Rory on Jan 26, 2023 20:37:29 GMT
It's a pity the Donmar just can't seem to get a really good, commercial hit.
Transfers aren't the be all and end all but they do generate a buzz as we saw with the Streetcar announcement earlier in the week. Can't remember the last time a show from the Donmar went on to a further life.
|
|
|
Post by nottobe on Jan 26, 2023 20:46:52 GMT
I can't say I'm too sad to see Michael Longhurst step down. In his five years there I have seen a few shows and have never been blown away with what they have done. My favourite piece from his tenure was Teenage Dick but that was not a faultless play. They need a new Artistic director who knows what shows may put bums on seats and that are not too pretentious. It would be excitingly to maybe have a producer lead the venue rather than a director.
|
|
357 posts
|
Post by JJShaw on Jan 26, 2023 20:51:11 GMT
It's a pity the Donmar just can't seem to get a really good, commercial hit. Transfers aren't the be all and end all but they do generate a buzz as we saw with the Streetcar announcement earlier in the week. Can't remember the last time a show from the Donmar went on to a further life. I'll always remember their City of Angels which did transfer but sadly did not come back after 2020. I've heard it didn't have a healthy advance (it had only been open just shy of two weeks) but apparently that is one of the reasons they haven't brought it back...
|
|
|
Post by thistimetomorrow on Jan 27, 2023 9:58:03 GMT
I've seen almost every Donmar production since it reopened post covid and felt pretty meh about most of them. My favourite was The Band's Visit (which I have to admit I adored), but the other shows didn't quite hit it for me. Special mention to the Constellations transfer which I saw 3/4 casts for. Will be interesting to see what sort of show they put on with the new ADs.
|
|
853 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by bordeaux on Jan 27, 2023 11:57:25 GMT
Who would we like as new Artistic Director?!
|
|
|
Post by theoracle on Jan 27, 2023 12:40:21 GMT
Who would we like as new Artistic Director?! Ola Ince? Dominic Cooke? Pretty sure it will just go to Max Webster but we’ll see
|
|
|
Post by imstillhere on Feb 1, 2023 14:17:34 GMT
The Longhurst Donmar years have felt strangely muted and very much like Donmar's flop era. Perhaps a mixture of Covid and weak as hell programming? He never really had a defining production or even a single hit. Perhaps his future is better suited to being a Freelance director?
I wonder if the new AD could perhaps be Tinuke Craig? Roy Alexander Weise? Or perhaps Lynette Linton? I'd also love Jeremy Herrin or Rebecca Frecknall but I don't think that will happen!
|
|
4,596 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 1, 2023 14:20:18 GMT
Have they said anything about a new business model and how they will operate without ACE?
|
|
2,536 posts
|
Post by n1david on Feb 1, 2023 15:34:36 GMT
Have they said anything about a new business model and how they will operate without ACE? Got an email from them in November which said that ACE money "formed a relatively modest proportion of our income", and losing it would not "jeopardize our existence", but it would be nice if you could send us some more money please to make up the shortfall while they "develop a new strategy for 2024 and beyond." So it sounds like no major changes in the short term.
|
|