Takoradi Theatre needs funds

THE Western Region currently without any reputable venue to host major artistic and cultural events is still grappling with the problem of completing the theatre which will solve that perennial problem once and for all.

Expected also to be the major venue for the forthcoming National Festival of Arts (NAFAC) 2003, it has become imperative that the theatre be completed on schedule for the Festival not to be postponed again.

In an interview with Efo Kojo Mawugbe Regional Director of the Western Regional Centre for National Culture, he mentioned that the building is almost completed with one third of the roofing done.The remainder are mainly fixtures that include electrical fittings, the cables all of which have already been laid, plumbing works and a few flaws that need to be addressed. For example, the theatre has no lobby. Efo Kojo explained that in consultation with the architects and the contractor a place is being cleared to create one.

The 3,000 capacity auditorium for the beautiful theatre designed like an ahenema sandal with the back slightly raised as if the foot is about to be moved symbolizes the dynamism of culture which is continually on the move. He also said that the chairs in the theatre would not be fixed to enable a variety of programmes to be held there. "Depending on the event, the chairs will be arranged to suit the needs of the particular event.

"There is also no apron for the stage. In this case, it is very necessary because the curtain falls directly on the edge of the stage and without an apron once the curtain is closed one cannot find space in front of it to even make an announcement or a performance." He added.

Other personalities in the arts have made this or that suggestion that has to be considered like the one made by F. Nii Yartey Artistic Director of the National Dance Company to the effect that, the roof of the stage is too low and has to be raised to enable performers to fly their sets to meet production standards.

Nii Yartey made his suggestion strongly in charcoal on one side of the wall near the stage. Twelve offices on the first floor behind the stage will take care of administrative and artistic staff. Toilets are beneath the sound and lighting rooms on the opposite side of the stage, which also has two large entrances.

But the most important revelation Efo made was the fact that even if the theatre is completed today nothing much can be done there because the contractor is being paid for the building of the theatre only excluding the clearing of the surrounding grounds which will be needed for car parks, space for durbars, bazaars and other outdoor programmes very peculiar to an event such as NAFAC.

"According to the experts, it will take three months using three bulldozers to clear and prepare the grounds for such purposes. We therefore have very limited time if we have to meet the deadline of April 2003 for the Festival." Efo said.He also disclosed that, a certificate of approval by Architectural Engineering Services Limited for ?1 billion for work so far done is being processed by the Ministry of Finance for the contractor and called on Government to kindly release the necessary funding to have the theatre completed on schedule.