An Angus councillor has said the local authority should not be cast as the villains in the region’s pantomime promotion bust-up.
Independent Bob Spink has now stepped into the spotlight to say his part after local panto groups hit out over banners in other burghs promoting the Webster Theatre’s Babes in the Wood professional production.
Panto society figures said they faced a big enough problem trying to finance their own annual shows and get locals to turn out without having to compete against high-profile advertising for the Arbroath event.
They were backed by Brechin’s Ron Stewart, the local representative on the National Operatic and Drama Association (NODA) Scottish committee, who condemned the council’s stance as “nothing short of ridiculous”.
Mr Spink has said he is “surprised and disappointed” by Mr Stewart’s attack “I feel that like is not being compared with like, that amateur and professional shows are creatures of a different colour, both attractive in their own but different way,” said Mr Spink.
“We can do without this storm in a teacup. Of course NODA and Ron Stewart will come down in favour of amateur shows, I would expect nothing else.
“However, it is on his part nonsense for him to conclude that if two pantos are on offer, one local amateur and one professional i.e the Webster, the choice would be the Webster. In this he undervalues the very groups he claims to support.
“He is also grossly misinformed claiming that ‘local amateur companies and local halls are at the bottom of the council’s list of priorities’,” added Mr Spink.
“Angus Council offers well discounted hire rates for multi-purpose halls across Angus and has even returned by way of community grant hire charges paid in some cases. Eligible groups can apply for that assistance.
“There has also been very substantial refurbishment made to halls across the county for the benefit of the local community and of the groups who function there.
“The Webster Memorial Hall by comparison was never expected to be Arbroath’s theatre, but serving Angus and beyond. That has not yet been achieved, in my opinion, and requires some work.
“Amateur theatre, of which I am a dedicated fan, is supported and encouraged by the council.
“These companies’ undoubted well-earned success and popularity, in this case of panto, has the edge on professional performances in that it is largely performed by young people and always draws, as one would expect, huge support from the families of the youngsters on stage and from the local population in general.”
Mr Spink went on: “The Webster Memorial Theatre is a dedicated theatre not a hall, massively refurbished at great cost, with full-time staff whose remit is to promote the theatre throughout Angus and beyond and to do everything possible to attract and engage professional performers.
“Not advertising widely enough has been a public criticism often aired and blamed for attendances lower than may have been expected.
“I do not accept that the advertising of professional panto or any other professional show detracts from the attendance at amateur productions.
“Surely it is possible and desirable to have and encourage both,” he said.