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Post by postscript on Jan 3, 2008 11:54:58 GMT
Seems to have worked for me so far--still waiting email acknowledgement. But I used Mozilla as on other sites I have experienced problems with IE7.0. Maybe those having problems have too tight security settings--but having been caught out and suffered through lowering them for legitimate reasons I am not advising anyone should!
Peter S.
Email acknowledgement came through a few minutes later requiring clicking on the url which confirms receipt at PM's end.
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Post by grant on Jan 3, 2008 14:28:48 GMT
Hi Peter and thank you for your support. As a fellow thespian, I knew I would be able to count on you!  Best wishes Grant |
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Post by gordon on Jan 3, 2008 18:14:39 GMT
Hi Grant.,
Just added my signature,the more the merrier.
I hope this petition will be a great help.
Gordon
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Post by grant on Jan 3, 2008 18:31:26 GMT
I hope this petition will be a great help. Hi Gordon Thank you! We can but hope!  Best wishes Grant P.S Gordon. Have you clicked the link on the confirmation Email? It is necessary for you to do this for your signature to be accepted. Your name not yet on at 6.40pm. |
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Post by Paddy on Jan 3, 2008 22:08:35 GMT
As a fellow thespian ..... "And thereby hangs a tale!" And, I'm sure, a few tall ones? The -------- of the Playhouse? "Tell me more! Tell me more!" Paddy |
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Post by grant on Jan 24, 2008 18:35:33 GMT
Hi Peter OK! If you insist!  Things are looking hopeful at the moment. The Christmas show is still playing to full houses and the short/medium term rescue package has been approved by the administrators, so we can continue to trade whilst the long term future is explored. Hopefully now we'll be able to keep going but we still need the support of theatregoers everywhere and the petition is still open HEREBest wishes Grant |
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Post by gra7890 on Jan 24, 2008 19:56:00 GMT
Hi Grant,
Glad to hear things are moving in the right direction.
Best Wishes,
Graham
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Post by postscript on Jan 25, 2008 14:59:40 GMT
Your reply 20 in this thread, excellent, Grant. I am delighted for you and the theatre. That is the trouble with wretched accountants, they are completely incapable of properly assessing the intangible benefit to the community at which point I'll come off that soap box as I really don't want to upset the various financial advisers we have as members! However, a parting shot. Did you hear of the accountant who was taken to a concert performance to see if he could make any suggestions as to how the orchestra could reduce its costs? He pointed out there were 9 first violins playing the same thing and 6 second violins ditto. He suggested just having the first and second violinists and amplifying them to create the same volume of sound. He then pointed out that the percussionist didn't come in until the third movement in the second half of the programme. The accountant pointed out that if they re-arranged the music so the percussionist played in the first half of the programme and at the beginning of the first movement he could go home early and save half his fee.  Peter S. |
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Post by gra7890 on Mar 20, 2008 7:33:38 GMT
Hi Grant, Found this in my emails from 10 Downing Street... Theatre plays an important role in the lives of individuals and communities throughout this country. Arts Council England (ACE) has allocated Derby City Council more than £2.28 million over the next three years to ensure the long-term future of produced theatre in Derby. This investment is to develop a new, viable model for the continuation of live drama in the city. This represents an increase in funding of £167,000 to produced theatre in Derby over the next three years.
It is a longstanding fundamental principle that ACE operates at arm's length from the Government. Government does not intervene in funding decisions about individual arts organizations. The arts change and grow and it is right that ACE's funding plans should reflect that and should make room for new talent to develop and succeed.Looks like all the hard work was worth it  Graham |
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Post by Richard on Mar 20, 2008 8:28:12 GMT
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Post by grant on Mar 20, 2008 9:46:48 GMT
Hello Martin and Richard Unfortunately the position is not as rosey as the Email from the PM's office might suggest.  Yes, the Arts Council did give Derby Playhouse a grant of £2+ million, but that was before the financial troubles took hold! A rescue package was put forward which looked like good news - until the Arts Council decided that the Playhouse hadn't used the money wisely and demanded it be repaid! This made them a major creditor and forced the Playhouse into liquidation. The City Council (who many believe have a hidden agenda) are now looking to take over the running of 'a theatre' in Derby with Arts Council backing!! The money referred to in the Email is for the City Council to run its two venues and includes Derby Playhouse. It is NOT for Derby Playhouse Ltd. which is a registered charity The original company, Derby Playhouse Ltd. is now taking the matter to the High Court. So, to sum up, whilst the PM's Email sounds like 'good news' it is, in fact, typical of Government response i.e. "Not our problem!" Best wishes Grant |
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Post by martindn on Mar 21, 2008 22:00:40 GMT
Grant,
Yes, that is how I read it too! I have seen too many of these petition responses, and weasel words ducking any responsibility whilst appearing positive are quite common. Governments spend a lot employing specialists to put the best spin on things.
Martin
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Post by gra7890 on Mar 21, 2008 23:43:01 GMT
Grant, Yes, that is how I read it too! I have seen too many of these petition responses, and weasel words ducking any responsibility whilst appearing positive are quite common. Governments spend a lot employing specialists to put the best spin on things. Martin Its a symptom of the age. At work our email and computer system has been completely down for a week. The official release was 'Our email system has not been working 'effectively', please resend any emails 'in-case they did not get' through. to us. Miss out the word 'effectively' and replace 'in-case they did not get' by ' that will not have got' and we have the truth Why can't the authorities just tell it how it is rather than 'spin' a story ! Graham |
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Post by postscript on Mar 23, 2008 15:50:58 GMT
Reply 23 Graham. I too. I hadn't posted as I was waiting for Grant to update us but perhaps he needed the encouragement to do so Peter S. |
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Post by postscript on Mar 23, 2008 16:03:57 GMT
Hello Martin and Richard Unfortunately the position is not as rosey as the Email from the PM's office might suggest. Yes, the Arts Council did give Derby Playhouse a grant of £2+ million, but that was before the financial troubles took hold! A rescue package was put forward which looked like good news - until the Arts Council decided that the Playhouse hadn't used the money wisely and demanded it be repaid! This made them a major creditor and forced the Playhouse into liquidation. The City Council (who many believe have a hidden agenda) are now looking to take over the running of 'a theatre' in Derby with Arts Council backing!! The money referred to in the Email is for the City Council to run its two venues and includes Derby Playhouse. It is NOT for Derby Playhouse Ltd. which is a registered charity The original company, Derby Playhouse Ltd. is now taking the matter to the High Court. So, to sum up, whilst the PM's Email sounds like 'good news' it is, in fact, typical of Government response i.e. "Not our problem!" Best wishes Grant What worries me about all this is that it sounds like a lot of public and other money being diverted from one original gifted intention into the pockets of lawyers for no ultimate gain to anyone except already very rich private people  It is of concern that a theatre of such value should in any way conduct its finances when in such dire straits in any way that would raise a question mark from anyone. In that situation 'whiter than white' with total transparency and continual dialogue between giver and recipient is the only viable management strategy. So, where did financial/general management go wrong? Peter S. |
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