SO the Royal Society of Arts ranked our town worst in the UK for culture and history.
Flawed as its survey may be and despite the muted backlash I have to agree.
Our council does nowhere near enough to promote our town’s heritage or the arts.
Let’s take the campaign for a new theatre championed by Clr Celia Jordon (who loves culture so much she tried to flog the Parr Hall organ to Sheffield).
I’m a Warrington lad who trained at the Royal Ballet School and performed in West End shows (Cats, Mamma Mia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, etc) so I read with incredulity that Warrington needs a new theatre.
It does not.
We will never compete with Manchester or Liverpool nor should we.
The Parr Hall could be a fantastic venue if done correctly at a fraction of the cost (it has had more facelifts than the late Joan Rivers but still needs tweaking).
Those who say it is too small are deluded (and the same people who rave about The Brindley in Runcorn which seats less people).
Yes at present it is a concert hall but with the right approach it could be a fantastic and versatile venue.
I have performed at many traditional London theatres which are smaller.
I would be happy to speak to anyone involved with this project as long as they are being realistic.
With any luck the RSA survey may get those on the council payroll moving.
At least Warringtonians are ever optimistic.
CHRIS CROMPTON
Grappenhall Heys
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