Council reviews Peninsula Theatre usage

Gosford Council is currently reviewing the use of the Peninsula Theatre because it is used less than 100 nights per year.

Of the 45 performances currently listed on Gosford Council's theatre website for 2016, not one is being housed by the Peninsula Theatre.

The intimate 125-seat theatre is home to the Woy Woy Little Theatre company.

The Little Theatre website lists four productions this year, which will run for a total of 12 weekends, including six evening performances and three or four matinees per production.

The Flash Festival and this year's inaugural Junior Flash Festival make additional use of the venue.

The theatre company also utilises the space for auditions, workshops and rehearsals.

However, according to the council's director of community growth Ms Judy Jaeger, very few other productions or performances are currently housed at the Peninsula Theatre.

"We have looked at programming additional annual productions at the theatre, but unfortunately sourcing professional productions for this space is challenging, especially given it is ideally suited for intimate productions and shows," Ms Jaeger said.

"In the past these have included The Marvels of Magic, Motherhood the Musical, Kitty Flanagan and other community productions," she said.

"At the moment we are reviewing usage at the theatre to see whether any more opportunities might be available and are always open to discussing any options to promote arts and entertainment across Gosford city," she said.

Hire charges may be a factor in the lack of patronage.

Rates to hire the theatre for not-for-profits and non-incorporated community organisations, schools, charities and churches are $50 per hour from Sunday to Thursday and $75 per hour on Friday and Saturday.

All other hirers pay $105 per hour for Sunday to Thursday and $155 per hour for Friday and Saturday.

Fire and safety regulations make it mandatory for hirers to also pay for trained venue staff and hourly rates range from $57 per hour to $130 per hour.

The minimum for a performance is two technical staff and one front of house attendant.

The total staff cost could range from $513 to $1140 for a three-hour hire, which is the minimum staff call charged in 15-minute increments.

This amounts to up to $10 a seat in hire charges, assuming a full house, before any production costs are added to ticket prices.

Media statement, 29 Mar 2016

Judy Jaeger, Gosford Council

Website, 30 Mar 2016

Woy Woy Little Theatre

Website, 30 Mar 2016

Laycock Street Community Theatre

Reporter: Jackie Pearson