Theatre first is new direction for performing arts centre

The Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts at Les Ozouets currently fulfils a very diverse remit, from cinema space and awards venue to conference space and dance venue, as well as its theatre credentials.

Oliver Davies took on the newly-created role of artistic director last year and has been keen for the centre to have a clearer identity.

‘My aspiration is for it to have a wide programme of diverse theatre performances at its core,’ he said, adding that he was keen to cater for more islanders.

The centre was opened officially by the Princess Royal in 2007 and Mr Davies said it was very busy.

The theatre is used for approximately 144 days out of 180 term-time days and is hired for about 40 days a year during school holidays.

‘The centre is rarely quiet,’ he said. ‘I’m already booked for the first half of next year.

'This is about clarity of strategy.’

He was keen to give the centre more direction, with a new ‘theatre first’ ethos. That would include UK and local performers.

‘There is a very big amateur scene,’ Mr Davies said.

As well as supporting local actors to develop their skills, it would also give a theatre space for technicians to learn and practice theirs.

‘We have put on big events, but there is a very small pot of technicians, so that is a real growth area,’ he added.

‘So it is not just about people on the stage, who get the applause.’

Mr Davies, who previously worked for the College of FE as a performing arts lecturer for nine years, said he could see real benefits from close working between the centre and the college.

And they would only get closer, as the Les Ozouets site is redeveloped around the centre into a new post-16 campus over the new few years.

‘We are staying open as much as possible during the build,’ he said.

Mr Davies said while the centre was part of the College of Further Education, it was important to develop its own brand.

The centre already has a Facebook page and Mr Davies said it was in the process of setting up its own website, which should go live early next year.

The strategy is not expected to involve big expenditure. But the centre is currently going through the process of seeking a capital allocation to do some refurbishment and upgrading work.

‘We are 15 years old and there is quite a lot of equipment, like lighting, which was second-hand when we first got it,’ Mr Davies said.

New strategy has full support of politicians

EDUCATION’S president has welcomed the new performing arts strategy.

‘The Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts is an important asset to our community, in both a cultural and an educational sense,’ said Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen.

‘I know I speak for all of my committee when I say we were extremely pleased to be able to give this new strategy our full support.

‘It sets a clear vision for the PRCPA to put itself at the centre of performing arts in Guernsey by using the space it provides to bring people across the local industry together.

‘I am very excited to both watch, and support, the continued development of this space, which will eventually sit as one of the key parts of our post-16 educational campus.’