However, local theatre company Evoke has postponed its June production until next year, after being unable to find a suitable alternative venue or time.
Beau Sejour announced last month that the theatre will be closed from mid-April for about two months, to allow for work to be carried out on the venue’s drop bars, which are used for lights above the stage and auditorium, and upgrades to associated equipment.
One Act Play Festival coordinator Jenny Falla said using the Ferguson Hall was a creative opportunity for the directors of the various plays and would place an emphasis on the use of lighting.
‘They’ll have to be creative with their lighting and they’re also going to have to set up in front of the audience. I’ve talked to the directors and all of them have minimal sets.’
This will also provide an opportunity for the groups to interact with the audience, she said, and another benefit of the move will be the use of the concourse bar and a green room for the audience to sit and have a drink.
Adjudicator Ben Humphries is well known in the island and he was also excited about the change of venue and how the directors and their cast might use it as an opportunity, said Mrs Falla.
The festival runs from 18-23 May and about 11 plays are expected to be staged.
Another show that will be moving to the Ferguson Hall will be Music Box dance and drama school’s annual showcase at the start of May.
Principal Ellie Rose said Beau Sejour staff had been very helpful and after the school looked at the hall it decided to go ahead there, with a few changes to its plans. ‘We’re going to lay a dance floor on the ground because we do acrobatics and the ceiling is just about high enough,’ she said.
To make up for the lack of tiered seating, screens will be put next to the stage to make sure everyone has a clear view.
Tickets will be available soon and Mrs Rose said people should keep an eye on the school’s Facebook page.
She has also been in touch with Jodie Lee Performing Arts in Jersey which organises the dance awards over here and she said it looked like these too would be held in the Ferguson Hall.
But not every production has been able to change. Evoke was due to stage the classic British farce No Sex Please, We’re British, in the theatre in June.
After talking to Beau Sejour, director Chris Bougourd said the Ferguson Hall was unsuitable since a robust set was needed, the performance area was not high enough, there was no raked seating and the stage was only two feet high.
He described the situation with the theatre as ‘a shambles’ and said more information about the production’s new date will follow.
The last show in the theatre before it closes will be Gadoc’s Easter musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, running from 4-11 April.