More support for theatre battle

I am a regular subscriber to the Haymarket season and have enjoyed the high standard of theatre there since coming to Basingstoke in the late 1970s.

While I occasionally visit The Anvil, I do not believe that merging these two venues is in the best interests of the Haymarket or its patrons.

Basingstoke cannot afford to lose its only professional theatre.

I have seen first hand the value of our theatre over the years, including innovative productions such as the French season and classic Shakespeare (with good school audiences).

The loss of the Arts Council grant was a disappointment but this blow should not be exacerbated by the council closing the Haymarket just when the new board has started to turn the corner and the theatre is playing to packed houses.

I understand that the council has rejected the business plan of the theatre board in favour of a largely uncosted takeover plan by The Anvil.

This decision appears to have been taken based upon information on the financial health of the theatre which is now out of date.

While commenting on finances, it is worth noting that the 2005/6 council balance sheet records a positive balance of more than £100million. The council has the means to support our theatre if it chooses to.

The "temporary closure" could easily become the death knell for professional live theatre in Basingstoke.

As a regular theatregoer, I urge Gazette readers to support the Haymarket as an independent producer of highquality theatre.

Robin White,
Upper Farm Road,
Oakley.

Sir.-I have been a supporter of the Haymarket Theatre since it was taken over in the 1950s by a dedicated band of volunteers, headed by John Wright and John Peat.

The input from the Haymakers is what makes the theatre such a friendly place to visit, and I fear this atmosphere will be lost if it is run from The Anvil.

The new executive seems to be turning the theatre around and should be encouraged, not deprived of their jobs for an unspecified period.

What help will the amateur societies receive in the interim?

Booking The Anvil will be too expensive for most of them and the dates they want probably not available.

P Ferguson,
Chequers Road,
Basingstoke.