Harrogate Theatre boss on fighting for survival in a 'ghost theatre'

The safety curtain is permanently down for now and the stage is bare, these are sad times for Harrogate Theatre, its staff and its supporters.
The stage is bare - Pictured this week in the empty auditorium is Harrogate Theatre's chief executive David Bown who is determined to keep the theatre going in the absence of revenue during lockdown.The stage is bare - Pictured this week in the empty auditorium is Harrogate Theatre's chief executive David Bown who is determined to keep the theatre going in the absence of revenue during lockdown.
The stage is bare - Pictured this week in the empty auditorium is Harrogate Theatre's chief executive David Bown who is determined to keep the theatre going in the absence of revenue during lockdown.

There's long been stories that Harrogate Theatre itself is haunted amid its myriad of corridors, up in the gods and in the darkness of its back stage area.

Now this Victorian grade II listed building has become a ghost theatre for real.

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With shows cancelled or postponed, Harrogate Theatre’s executive team have even taken a pay cut of as much as 20 per cent in the fervent hope it will help this arts hub get through the lockdown in some sort of financial shape to reopen, should the world change.

Since it closed after the introduction of social distancing rules, the theatre's chief executive David Bown has been determined to keep it going - to keep himself and his loyal staff going - even if this beautiful old theatre does feel, as he says himself, a little like the Titanic at the moment.

The stage is now bare and the aim is to avoid the cupboard being bare, too, for a distinguished theatre which had been enjoying a new golden age in the last 15 years through its own hard work.

But this successful playwright in his own right who also co-writes Harrogate Theatre's incredibly popular annual panto hasn't given up the fight. Far from it.

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As well as launching an emergency appeal to save the theatre from financial ruin during lockdown which has now raised £27,000 in five weeks, David also still works every day to keep alive the hopes of the theatre somehow reopening if, and when, the pandemic passes.

This intelligent and creative individual still keeps an eye on the 500-seater auditorium where the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Sarah Bernhardt, Fats Waller, Sir Ben Kingsley and Eddie Izzard have trod the boards since it first opened its doors in 1900.

It's a much-loved hub of the arts which has always survived on healthy ticket sales rather than receiving large public grants.

So what does it feel like to sit and watch the theatre you run - and love - sitting idle, its very future in doubt after such a rich and lengthy history of artistry and entertainment?

This is what it's like, in David Bown's own words:

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"My daily routine doesn’t feel as though it has radically altered, but it is significantly more surreal.

"It’s like I’m in a French and Saunders spoof Sci-fi disaster movie.

"I live next to the theatre, which is obviously closed to all our staff as well as the public.

"So, I start the day like most, meeting virtually from home with colleagues at 10am until lunch.

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"Then I exercise, wander to M&S for the daily shop, pop into the theatre to check that the building is ok and retrieve the post.

"I’m continually responding to work related emails on my phone whilst in the building.

"However, stood in the ornate splendour of the circle bar, it does tend to feel a little like a scene from the Titanic and waiting for the inevitable.

"We have furloughed many staff as you’d expect, but, we also have an amazing team from across communications, box office, administration and programming all working from home attending to the ever-changing artistic programme, associated marketing and working on the Emergency Campaign.

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"Everyone connected with Harrogate Theatre is incredibly humbled by the affection, support and generosity of everyone that has been in touch and contributed so far.

"These are extraordinarily difficult times and we really do appreciate people's unswerving determination to keep the theatre going.

"I am hugely proud of Harrogate in general, as people are supporting each other and caring, we have the magnificent Stray to utilise at distance during challenging and confined times, the fabulous Stray FM to keep us connected and the Borough Council has stepped up to the plate in an unbelievable manner with the Nightingale hospital.

"I'd like to give a huge call out to all my colleagues at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

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"My wife is a head teacher and classed as a key worker, as she opens her school for the children of others.

"Thank you to all key workers and especially the remarkable NHS.

"I am very proud of our Oxford Street community as there is still quite a few places in operation – M&S, Tesco, the Yorkshire Farmers butcher, AR News, Farm, Beks, Arkwrights plus a few more. What a great job they are doing keeping us all going.

"In what other twilight zone pastiche would the M&S Food Hall be fully functional with staff that are so utterly delightful and helpful?"

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Saving Harrogate Theatre: How the public and businesses can help

1. Make a donation

People can do this online via the theatre's website at www.https://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk or call 01423 502116 between 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

2. Buy tickets in advance for Harrogate Theatre's autumn/ winter shows

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There is still hope that the third season of HT Rep will take place in September, the 12th annual Harrogate Comedy Festival in October, and its award-winning pantomime will be staged this festive season.

3. Join Harrogate Theatre's White Rose membership scheme

From just £30 you can join Harrogate Theatre's exclusive pre-sales club and enjoy a range of other perks.

4. If Harrogate Theatre has to cancel or rearrange shows, please consider donating your ticket fee (or part of it)

5 Sponsor future big shows now

Headline sponsorship slots are available for flagship shows later in the year, including Harrogate Rep season, Harrogate Comedy Festival and the festive panto Cinderella.

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