Mystery and uncertainty surround the future of Thameside Theatre and its panto once again
ON the day when the curtain goes up on the latest community production at the borough's Thameside Theatre, Thurrock Council has added to concerns about the venue's future by bringing down a shroud of secrecy around what it plans to do with the venue.
More than a year on from last year's local elections, won by the Labour who included a pledge to nurture the venue, invest in it and put it into local community ownership; local optimism about the Thameside reached a high point after several years of concern.
The theatre's management were told they could book shows up to the end of this year and it looked likely as deal was on the verge of being brokered to turn the building over to community ownership.
Thurrock Nub News understands a report is being drawn up about the venue's future, to be put to a reshaped cabinet that will be announced next week at the authority's annual meeting. It will offer options for the future but is believed to fall short of some local expectations.
Aside from tonight's (Thursday, 15 May) first night for TOPS on Stage's production of Calendar Girls, focus is also on the 2025 pantomime, the annual showcase event at the theatre.
After running the production for a number of years under a contract, it was thought that Polka Dot Productions' time as show producer might be up. Last year's pantomime 'Snow White' was acclaimed a financial success but fell short of critical praise, with a general feeling that the Peterborough-based company had run of steam creatively.
And a team of people associated with the Thameside put a bid together to produce 'Peter Pan' at the theatre this year – which included a financial prospectus that promised greater return for Thurrock Council.
However, Nub News was told by the team that put the bid together, it has been rejected by the council.
As yet no company has been revealed as likely to put on a show. It is not on the list of Polka Dot's planned productions for 2025.
And to add further cause for concern, Nub News understand that management at the theatre have been instructed not to book any shows beyond the year end – prompting fears that closure plans for the much-loved venue could be on the cards again.
Nub News has posed questions to the council, asking for details of its plans, saying there are 'deep concerns around the Thameside Theatre' and we hoped to be able to bring readers definitive news about what the future is likely to hold for the Thameside complex, which also includes Grays library and the borough museum.
However, in a short response, Cllr Valerie Morris-Cook, the cabinet member for community partnerships, said: "After a hugely successful run of last year's panto, Thurrock Council and the Thameside Theatre are working to ensure that a panto is available for families to enjoy again this year and we look forward to welcoming full houses to enjoy the fun again this Christmas."
That somewhat limited comment has echoes of the past when, in 2021, the council was criticised by local stage, theatre and cultural stalwart Vic Gray, speaking as chair of Thurrock Arts Council who who accused the authority of being: "Deceitful, dilatory and disingenuous in its approach to the Thameside."
So, staff, theatre management, companies who use the theatre and borough residents are still left in the dark about what the future holds. Oh yes they are…!
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