The 50/50 Club: a new initiative for Swanage’s Mowlem Theatre
There is determination and passion amongst the residents of Swanage to resurrect the fortunes of the Mowlem Theatre, an institution that for some considerable time has been lagging behind some of its more illustrious neighbours…however, fuelled by a desire to stand up and do something, all of this is about to change…
Swanage Resident Dave Taylor has come up with a plan to try and raise the funds necessary to try and tempt national circuit acts to the Mowlem. Before moving to Swanage Dave ran a Comedy Club in London and also worked with some of the country’s leading comedians and entertainers; he has become a well-known figure in the area after introducing the hugely popular Swanage Comedy Festival in conjunction with the Swanage & Purbeck Hospitality Association.
At a recent meeting, the Theatre Trustees declared that they had no funds available to pay guarantees to acts, meaning that it would be unlikely to attract names to the theatre. A cunning plan was then devised. Fifty people invest £50 each to raise cash to finance more professional shows at The Mowlem. The campaign was launched just one week ago via Facebook and other Social Networking sites and a meeting was held in Swanage on Wednesday 14th September at The Rock-a-Hula lounge above the East Bar…
”The level of interest and the numbers attending was extremely encouraging” said Dave as around 40 people came along to support the venture and pledge or pay their £50. The concept and plan was enthusiastically received by the meeting and the only concerns voiced were towards how the idea would be perceived by the’ Mowlem Trustees, none of whom were able to attend the meeting…
However Dave managed to convince the attendees of the Trustees support, in principle, of this plan and that everyone has the same goals and objectives, namely a vibrant and successful community theatre, well equipped and managed, offering shows and events that people want to see.
Dave said “with the pledges of support made tonight and previously, we have a proposal that has been enthusiastically embraced by the people of Swanage. We will invest this money wisely and attempt to bring shows to Swanage that people will enjoy and appeal to a wide audience. Any profit made from the shows will be reinvested in future shows and also in buying much needed equipment for the Theatre. This will benefit all users of the Mowlem and help the Trustees to provide a theatre and equipment the Community can be proud of.”
With Dave’s passion and enthusiasm, ably supported by his newly elected Committee and the determination of the people of Swanage it seems as if the future for the Mowlem Theatre might be looking just a little brighter…
For more information or to join the 50/50 Club please visit www.swanage5050club.co.uk or Contact Dave Taylor on 07412 072214
Friday, September 16, 2011
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12 comments:
Is this the same Dave Taylor who was manager up at the caravan park????
are there 50 £50 supportes yet?
No its a different Dave Taylor.
There were 38 people that attended on the night with 20 paying on the night and the rest pledging to do so.
I have also signed up 2 more members since the meeting and know of at least 6 that I have yet to get to see who also want to join.
Hope all the trustees have coffed up?
When is the next meeting ??
How about the community rooms..to encourage and share the idea with the existing friends and trustees ?
The Mowlem theatre is a gem of the south coast but I fear it will not thrive under the present administration. The Trustees, no doubt worthy people, delegate day to day responsibility to the wrong person. Since Brian Travers left there has been no continuity nor credibility of management. No-one whose word is reliable. A great pity
The words Trustees and worthy people do not make a sentence in my book.
I suggest you talk to a few more people in the town and get a real idea of what holds the Mowlem back and most will say the Trustees.
Someone should pose a question about the 2010 accounts not to mention 2011.
The charities commission site only has their loss making accounts for 2009 so far ????
The trustees stike back in the Advertiser Oct 20th p5.
Disgusting article. They have money? Ok, so why complain about 3k for a decent act? ie - 'we're not prepared to pay for decent acts'. Infact, with the 50/50 club, they don't need to pay for acts - all the hard work would be done for them and yet this still isn't good enough.
Their only interest is in keeping the building running, NOT providing quality entertainment for the people of Swanage and the surrounding areas.
A massive amount of goodwill and trust has gone into raising money to bring back fantastic acts to the area - with no work required from The Mowlem (as they made it clear they wouldn't help in any way, this is just as well). It's pretty clear from that article that they don't want or need this goodwill, and most importantly cash.
Horrible attitude to take, and I really and truly hope another venue can be found or created to become the hub for Swanage entertainment that this town so richly deserves.
oDoes anyone know when the AGM of the Mowlem Trustees occurs? That is the time for the Press to be there and disclose the scandal of inadequacies of the Administration
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