Help us save the Manchester Palace Theatre

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 9:51pm

Please please please help us
As some of you may know who read the West End Board ive posted on here about the plans to turn the highly succesful Manchester Palace Theatre in the UK in to a home for the Royal Opera. Well now it looks set to happen with a new proposal expected to be passed by Manchester Council.

The issue is not about having an Opera venue in Manchester, its about closing one of the biggest and best touring venues which still does huge business to bring this venture in which will see the theatre close its doors to musicals/comedy/plays/concerts etc forever.

This theatre has served Manchester for well over 100 years,Its architecture is fantasic and the theatre does some of the best business in the UK, the people of Manchester have not asked for this Opera House but don't seem to be getting a say in the matter.

The council and goverment have said that 110 million pounds will be spent on revamping the building.
Whilst it looks great the Palace will get a face lift and its facade changed (thank god) to many people are sighting that as a reason for this to go ahead. My question is why cant money be spent on the venue whilst its operating as a Theatre?

Also whilst it tells us of the jobs it will create, it fails to mention the 100s of jobs that will be lost when the theatre closes for refurb (which could take 2 years), a staff who are so devoted (Example, the FOH dept are always named the best FOH dept in the country) that the loss of the jobs will be heartbreaking

Also, past operas in Manchester have not done well, most recently Primadonna with a huge ad campaign, a well known writer etc failed to set the box office on fire.
If something as commercial and well publicised as that can fail then what chance does an all year round Opera venue have.

If they want an opera venue, use the 110 million they are wanting to invest to bild one.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Save this great theatre
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savemanchesterpalacetheatre/

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 9:52pm

broadwayworld have published an article on our efforts

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Vertigo_Theatre_Productions_Start_Campaign_To_Save_The_Manchester_Palace_Theatre_20090929