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An Open Air Theatre for Dartmouth
It’s an experience that stays with an audience forever: entertainment in the open air. Rich with atmosphere and excitement, it’s been happening for as long as people have sought to keep their fellows amused.
It’s an experience that stays with an audience forever: entertainment in the open air. Rich with atmosphere and excitement, it’s been happening for as long as people have sought to keep their fellows amused.

Which is why the news that the Inn Theatre Company are planning an exciting new open-air theatre, is so compelling. As the company behind the annual Dartmouth Shakespeare Week, they have years of experience presenting open-air theatre.

The project, which is still in the development stages, has garnered a huge amount of support from local people, local government and an internationally renowned theatre group, the British Shakespeare Company, whose patron is Sir Ben Kingsley. Stunning The site that has been chosen to bring this remarkable scheme to life is the picnic site just above Sugary Cove.

The Inn Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Malcolm MacIntosh, was one of the first to spot the potential. “It really is the most amazing place; a natural amphitheatre and the potential to put Dartmouth well and truly on the cultural map. It can be used for theatre, but there is the opportunity for musical events, dance, pretty much anything you can think of!” ‘Natural’ is a word that be should taken note of in this context, because it is planned that the theatre be as sympathetic to the natural landscape as is possible; sustainable and as user-friendly as it can be.

Plans The project is in what the company are calling Phase One - which basically means gathering all the information they need to put a complete outline before the relevant committees. The scheme is being overseen by respected local architects, BBH, and they have ordered reports on the land, archaeology, roads and transport; everything that will tell them if the project is feasible.

All this before any technical drawings are even talked about. Jane Windsor-Smith, the company manager, was more than a little surprised at the amount of paperwork involved. “It’s really quite amazing how much information we are required to gather, but it is an extremely important process that we need to go through and make sure we get right. “If we can get this to work, the benefits for Dartmouth will be enormous, not only in terms of business but in kudos for the area as a whole.

What we do not want is for the people of Dartmouth to feel excluded from the process.” Show and Tell It is with that thought in mind that the company will be putting on an exhibition to get the thoughts and opinions on the project from the people of Dartmouth. It will be an opportunity for the Inn Theatre Company to show everyone their vision and be told how it shapes up.

The date for this is still to be set, but there are rough drawings and a huge amount of enthusiasm and excitement, even though the financing for the build, should the project proceed, has yet to be sourced. All in all, an invigorating and dazzling time for theatre and for Dartmouth.

Continue reading "By the Dart" July 2009 edition...
 
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