THE director of The Bowes Museum has acknowledged the “sense of frustration and disappointment” after The Castle Players cancelled their summer production following a row over costs and conditions.
For the past 34 years the Players have staged summer performances in the grounds of the museum.
But trustees of the community drama group say new conditions imposed by The Bowes Museum and the financial implications of those, along with the lateness of being informed last month, has made staging a production impossible.
The situation has led to a backlash against The Bowes Museum.
Hannah Fox, director at The Bowes Museum, attended last week’s annual town council meeting.
Ms Fox acknowledged the “sense of frustration and disappointed feeling overall” .
She added: “We really are passionate supporters of The Castle Players and the wider community. Unfortunately this year there is a number of factors including [the fact] we are going to be having some groundworks which is a really great piece of news about a huge piece of investment.
“As an organisation we have to look at some of our terms and conditions. This conversation with The Castle Players has been ongoing for about four years. It’s a perfect storm this year but we have a conversation in the diary with The Castle Players.”
She said a meeting with the drama group would take place next month, adding that there would be a major announcement soon that would show the museum’s commitment to Barnard Castle.
Ms Fox said the museum would look to see how it can support the Castle Players’ “production model” .
Asked if outdoor theatre shows could be held in the grounds in the future, she replied: “The door is open.”
The Players were told they would have to pay two duty managers £50 an hour to be present at every performance from 5pm until 10pm and have to pay a £3,000 hire fee.
They also say there are uncertainties about groundworks planned for the museum’s car park in July, along with a reduction in the number of permitted performances, which would further reduce income.
Resident Susan Kirkbride said she had “great sadness” that the players had cancelled the summer show because of restrictions imposed by The Bowes Museum.
“There is something unique with what we have in the town. Where else can you enjoy a quality production and have a picnic and in the grounds of a building that looks like a French chateau?” she said, asking The Bowes Museum to work with the trustees of The Castle Players to resolve the situation.
Members of the Castle Players told the meeting that the castle grounds had been used before, but English Heritage had imposed too many conditions and the Demesnes lacked security to prevent the set being vandalised overnight, the meeting also heard.
Anne Platten, who is involved in stage management for the Players, said it was too late to organise a big summer show because of the need to secure equipment, such as the generator, well in advance.
She said: “We have looked at other venues but it’s now too late to book those kind of items.”
Resident John Watson said Josephine Bowes wanted the grounds of the museum to be a “people’s park” .
