The Perfect Storm

The Perfect Storm

After much consultation with Members, stakeholders and arts funders, the BATS Board concluded that to continue operating Brixham Theatre is impossible, as the Theatre is not viable as an independent performance space, despite being a volunteer staffed organisation. 

Brixham Theatre is faced with many factors which have worked against its viability and future development:

  • Inadequate commitment to attending shows by the local population and theatre goers.  Everyone talks about ‘saving the theatre’ but then don’t come to see the shows, no matter the wide variety available.
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  • Lack of advance ticket sales leads to shows being cancelled by agents as they cannot take the risk that an audience ‘may turn up on the night’.
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  • Lack of ticket sales leads to local companies being risk averse to bringing shows ‘on tour’ to Brixham.
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  • Local amateur companies are struggling to cast shows or cannot afford to venture outside their own spaces, leading to a reduction in hiring income.
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  • Local groups cannot afford to hire the theatre, despite BATS’ heavy discounts and subsidy for Youth Theatres and regular users, BOADS and Rotary.
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  • Increased overhead costs, including a demand by Brixham Town Council for a 50% increase in rent.
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  • Few volunteers are prepared to commit to the time needs of the theatre or have the key skills required.
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  • Commercial ventures, such as conference hirings, have been stymied by Brixham Town Council, the Torbay car parking increases and the BID levy.
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  • The theatre seats need to be replaced and a major overhaul of the lighting rig required.  This means a capital Arts Lottery bid.  After a surgery session with Arts Council England, BATS were told:
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Capital bids are only invited to apply; a direct application is not possible, there is an overcapacity of theatre seats in Torbay as there are many other theatres, the venue must have a ‘unique’ offer in line with the development policy of ACE, a lack of qualified and experienced staff, if the current Director leaves, makes the enterprise amateur and so not fundable.

In the face of this ‘Perfect Storm’, BATS had no option but to end their tenure of Brixham Theatre and wish Brixham Town Council well in their search for another tenant.

BATS has staged many wonderful shows and invested heavily in making the theatre habitable for audiences and cast alike.

We leave it for others to continue the good work.