CHESTER’S new theatre will open in 2016 despite a major funding setback.
That’s the bold claim by Graham Lister, appointed by Cheshire West and Chester Council as the project director tasked with delivering a playhouse for the city.
Graham, who led the development of Leicester’s £61m performing arts centre CURVE, is disappointed the Arts Council rejected the council’s £5m bid toward redevelopment costs at the Odeon site.
He insists the Arts Council was impressed with the business case for a £40.5m theatre, cinema and library complex, but its capital budget was simply oversubscribed.
However, discussions are continuing with Arts Council chiefs to see whether a repeat bid would be worthwhile or if the project should be scaled back.
Graham, whose job attracts a salary of up to £70,000, would like to spearhead a campaign to demonstrate public support for the project which could make the difference.
He said: “If you’ve got members of the community saying we absolutely demand this project goes ahead and there’s overwhelming public support for it, for a whole raft of reasons, then ‘Come on Arts Council don’t you want to be part of this!’.”
The enthusiastic director stressed the council’s financial commitment to the project showed it was determined the curtains will open.
“Whatever you think of the council you can’t move away from being encouraged that there is a commitment of £29m in this project that’s sitting there ready to go,” he said.
“Don’t underestimate that. Also they are saying there’s a further £950,000 per year of revenue funding to support it when it opens. That’s extraordinary.”
Graham said that, behind-the-scenes, the scheme continues apace with archaeologists on site now. There are plans to demolish the vacant Commerce House next door and to procure a design team.
“I’m confident it will open in 2016 and I’m confident we can move the project forward and not lose too much time,” said Graham, who lives in Leicester but stays in a hotel when working in Chester.
“I think it would have huge benefits economically. There are opportunities for presented and produced work to take place on those stages of a significant level.
“If you get that offer right it will bring people into the city of Chester.
“There’s nothing going on in this city culturally really,” said the project director, before quickly adding: “I have got to be careful. There’s Chester Performs and Theatre in the Quarter and Tip Top and it’s important we bring those companies with us.
“I passionately care about theatre and organisations. It’s not just about the building, it’s about what takes place in those buildings.”
Next week Graham, 53, flies to New York to discuss staging an award-winning play on Broadway he produced called Obama The Mamba about Barack Obama’s half brother George who lives in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. However, he insists he will remain in Chester even if the venture comes to fruition.
“It will happen without me,” said Graham, who has a diverse range of experience including working with the English Shakespeare Company alongside British theatre director Michael Bogdanov, known for his work with new plays and modern reinterpretations of Shakespeare.
