Arts groups rally to stop curtain closing on the Hopgood Theatre
THE south’s arts community is rally to save the much-loved Hopgood Theatre, which is under a cloud following concerns about a lack of funding.
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THE southern arts community is rallying behind its embattled Hopgood Theatre, fighting for the government funding it needs to stay open.
User groups say the Noarlunga theatre is vital to the south’s thriving performance scene, and they are planning a petition and public meeting in an effort to ensure its survival.
Harry Dewar runs youth group Squadron of Fools, based at the theatre, and said it would be “tragic” if it was lost.
Tatachilla Lutheran College drama and English teacher Elizabeth Bentley is among those standing behind the theatre, saying she recalls performing at the landmark as a student long before co-ordinating school events there.
“We would just be devastated if we were to lose this venue in our area,” Ms Bentley said. “We’ve had kids on stage, backstage and running the technical equipment as well, and learning what it means to put on work in a professional venue – that’s incredibly valuable.
“We’ve had lots of kids who have gone on to a career in performing arts and for me, the Hopgood has been an integral part of that.”
Country Arts SA, which runs the theatre at Noarlunga TAFE, has so far been unable to negotiate its usual State Government funding as part of a new five-year agreement.
It costs about $200,000 a year to run the theatre.
Country Arts SA chief executive Steve Saffell said the organisation was scrambling to secure government funding for another 12 months – up from the government’s current offer of three months.
His group hoped to work with the State Government and TAFE on a plan to keep the theatre open after that – potentially under the management of another organisation.
However, he conceded the theatre may have to close if a longer term funding agreement could not be reached.
“There were 41,000 people that came through the doors last year, to 159 events,” Mr Saffell said. “It’s desperately needed by the community but we do have to find a creative way for it to be paid for.
“We’re all working together to come up with a solution and I’m hopeful that in a couple of weeks, it will all become much clearer.”
A public meeting on August 9 will discuss the theatre’s history and how locals might lobby to secure its future.
About 100 groups use the theatre, including performing arts companies and schools.
Among them is the youth group Squadron of Fools – actors aged 13-19 – which has called the Hopgood its home for the past 18 months.
Co-ordinator Harry Dewar has used the centre for close to 40 years through other groups and his previous role as a performing arts teacher.
He labelled it the “best suburban venue in Adelaide”.
“It has a beautiful auditorium, 500 seats and a really nice stage and backstage,” Mr Dewar said. Other southern venues such as the Domain theatre at Oaklands Park, and The Arts Centre at Port Noarlunga, were nowhere near as large as the Hopgood Theatre, he said.
Mr Dewar said the theatre had “really blossomed” in the past 10 years, under Country Arts SA’s management, and he hoped that could continue long-term.
“If we had to lose that it would be tragic,” Mr Dewar said. “There are literally thousands of kids and young people in this community who appear on that stage every year.”
The Southern Times Messenger contacted the State Government for a response.
A spokesman referred inquiries to Country Arts SA.
The public meeting will be held at the Hopgood Theatre on August 9, from 7pm.