by Louise Doyle
SIX local performance groups who have teamed up in a desperate bid to secure safe rehearsal space within Letterkenny’s former courthouse have made a fresh appeal.
Under plans, the historic building is set to be transformed into a tourist attraction.
But local theatre and drama groups are pleading with Donegal County Council for a share of the space in order to host rehearsals for plays and performing arts.
Workhouse Theatre Company, Triumph Dance and Performance Arts, Letterkenny Music and Drama Group, Rainbow Theatre Group, Letterkenny Musical Society and Letterkenny Pantomime Society penned a letter the Council’s Regeneration and Development Team, seeking for the old courthouse to accommodate a hybrid building, containing a purpose built area for local groups and
societies alongside the proposed tourist attractions.
But they say they have been left disappointed by the Council’s “lukewarm response”.
The Give Us Space campaign was launched in 2019 by groups united in their call for something they say Donegal has never had before – a safe and suitable centre to create good productions and to give audiences the best possible experience.
A spokesperson for the Give Us Space campaign described a response from the Courthouse Development Committee that the groups should continue their existing relationships with hotel owners, businesses and schools as “demeaning”.
The spokesperson said the rehearsal spaces provided, while very much appreciated, are of an ad-hoc and goodwill nature.
“All we want is a safe, conducive rehearsal space for this generation and future generations to use. There is no rehearsal facility as such in the An Grianán Theatre, which might come as a surprise to most people, and the Old Courthouse would be perfectly situated to be used as a proposed tourist attraction on one floor, and a purpose built rehearsal space for groups and societies to use on another.
“We envisage that a tourist attraction at the Old Courthouse would only be busy from the months of May to September, what about the other months of the year when it isn’t?”
Iarla McGowan is Director of Workhouse Theatre Company. He said the dire situation has reached a “tipping point”.
“This is a huge problem that has been around for decades. We completely get it that people might not think it is important, especially if people are not involved in putting on shows but if they knew exactly the constraints because of a lack of rehearsal space they would be very surprised and probably shocked. This dance has been going on for too long. We have reached a tipping point because of a lack of rehearsal space.
“I really hope that this vital need for a rehearsal space can be priced into the Council’s thinking, when it comes to the redevelopment of the old courthouse in Letterkenny.”
Chairperson of Letterkenny Pantomime Society, Tina Garry outlined the difficulties faced by the society in security facilities.
“Our successful run of shows in January is due to the generosity of local businessmen who provide us with space for auditioning and rehearsals. Ciaran McKenna, Enda Nicholls and to a greater extent, Brian Gallagher saved us and let us use their spaces when they were available. However, it is neither fair nor feasible that they should have to.
“A central, accessible space with parking is vital to enable dramatic Arts in the area to grow and flourish.”
Maria Rushe, Letterkenny Musical Society, said a safe and dedicated space is “crucial” in the continuance of fostering local talent.
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