Plans for the Year Ahead
The Dukes is currently making plans for the year ahead, in a climate of reduced funding and challenging financial times.
It is likely that, over the coming year, these changes will involve a smaller team in our production department, changes to our home produced shows and a change to the way we create work in Williamson Park. In 2012 the production in the park will not be a promenade performance, but will be created in a large marquee, to play locally and be toured to other venues, forming part of the 400th anniversary commemorations of the Lancashire Witch Trials. The Dukes staging of its summer show will be fixed in one place, a change for 2012 to the promenading style presented since 1987.
The move away from promenading theatre is a result of the current economic climate which is affecting The Dukes like so many other businesses.
Dukes director, Joe Sumsion said: “The Dukes is celebrating 25 years of promenade theatre in the park this summer, a great achievement which is recognised across the country. It is sad that there will be no promenade production in 2012 but the simple truth is that, unfortunately, this is a luxury which we can no longer afford.
“Many arts and other public sector organisations have received bad news about their funding. We are disappointed, of course, but are already looking to the future and see Sabbat as a great opportunity to begin a new chapter in the life of the company."
Whilst some reductions are being made, The Dukes are also planning for new productions and are looking forward to touring the summer production to other outdoor spaces and theatre venues across Lancashire and beyond.The Dukes remains committed to working with all our funding partners and having positive, fruitful relationships with them.
We are aware that some people will want to have their say about our plans. If you want to contact us about our future plans, please do so via email to: letstalk@dukes-lancaster.org or write to us at:
Let’s Talk
The Dukes
Moor Lane
Lancaster
LA1 1QE
