IT HAS always seemed so simple: indeed, some say, if it isn’t broken, then why try to fix it?
Bruce James Productions run the panto at the Thameside Theatre (in partnership with the council). It is very successful: It thrived in the Damian Williams years, it dipped in the recession years but came storming back last year with ticket sales increasing by 15%.
Plans were set for this year. The show will be “Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood” Oh no it’s not..oh yes it is….Let us tell you a story……
The adverts were out, indeed tickets had been sold. That was until someone asked the thorny question of whether anyone else actually got an opportunity to tender for the panto?
The answer appears to be: No.
The panto has got itself embroiled in something of a Whitehall farce as the council have been prompted to improve their procurement/tendering process especially in the light of the controversy surrounding the building of three schools in the borough.
This coupled with the fact that, according to sources, a theatre group headed by former eighties star David Van Day plan to run a panto for two weeks at the Civic Hall in January. The group, we understand, were dismayed by the council’s perceived unwillingness to co-operate.
So, two weeks ago, an advert was placed in The Stage newspaper inviting companies to tender for the panto.
This, will, no doubt, create a major headache for both Bruce James and Thurrock Council as most actors have been booked by now.
There may well be questions raised as to whether the situation has been fully explained to people and indeed institutions who have already booked tickets.
Thurrock Council have responded stating that none of the advertising material makes reference to which company will be producing the show.
