Published: Wednesday, 18th January, 2006 10:36
Theatre drama
By Border Telegraph Newsroom
Print Article
A BORDERS theatre’s future is uncertain following the dramatic resignation of most of its controlling body.
Four of the five members of the Melrose Arts Trust, including patron Alistair Moffat, have stood down after a disagreement about the future use of the bar area at The Wynd Theatre in Melrose.
The remaining member, theatre founder Felix Sear, has decided to resume his position as administrator of the arts centre.
As he begins the search for new trustees and a patron, the theatre programme has been cut for April and May.
In a letter issued to the Friends of Wynd, Mr Sear says: “Whilst this is a short-term hiccup, there is no reason that The Wynd Theatre should not continue to provide a full programme of events in 2006.
“Key to this will be to successfully secure funding from the various authorities that provide the theatre with grants.
“To this end, I will delay my retirement whilst we find new trustees as well as to prepare the grant submission for the 2006 programme.”
Mr Sear is cutting short a holiday and putting other plans on hold to allow him to “get the theatre Trust running smoothly again.”
He hopes to hold an open meeting in February to discuss the programme for the first quarter of this year and produce “a viable budget.”
The sudden development has stunned Wynd devotees and theatregoers who have supported the venue’s year-round schedule of drama, music and film.
Just last month, the mood was euphoric when trustees and friends celebrated the theatre’s 10th anniversary, praised Mr Sear’s effort to establish the venue and toasted his retirement.
In recognition of his work, the Trust made him an Honorary Life Member of the theatre and guaranteed him a complimentary seat at any future production.
Although the theatre and bar have been on sale for several months, the Trust has a lease to run the theatre until 2015.
The Trust’s outgoing chairman, Francis Hamilton, told the “Border Telegraph” he was saddened by the latest development.
He said: “Felix has taken some steps to separate the bar from the theatre and the members felt that this would be very detrimental to the interests of the theatre and, thereby, the Trust.
“He owns both these properties and can, of course, do as he likes, but we don’t think it’s a good idea to sell them separately.
“As this is incompatible with what we regarded as the future for the theatre, we have decided to resign.
“This is a matter of great sadness.”
Mr Hamilton regrets that the Trust’s plans will not be progressed.
He said: “We have tried very hard to help with the theatre and the Trust in 2005.
“We think it’s in a stronger position, financially and administratively, and we had plans for a significant increase in the programme this year.”
The former chairman feels that Mr Sear will ensure The Wynd’s continuation.
He said: “Felix has run it in this way for 10 years, making it a successful, creative performing arts theatre that has lots of supporters.
“It’s a lovely little theatre and he has done very well.”
Speaking to the “Border Telegraph,” Mr Sear stressed he had to secure his future.
He said: “The Trust members have deserted The Wynd.
“The bar was never part of the Trust because we never had one for the first seven years.
“I thought the Trust was set up to run the arts, not the bar.
“Perhaps some people did not appreciate they it’s not the same facility.
“The Wynd is all I have in this world, but the trustees have done everything possible to stop me selling the bar to a licensee or bar-owning company.”
The administrator emphasised that the theatre’s immediate future was secure.
He said: “There’s no reason not to carry on, providing I can find two trustees.
“There will be a programme this year.
“There’s no doubt about that.”
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