Perth Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre

Perth Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre
Company announce future plans

 
After a thorough examination of the compatible activities that may arise through the move into the new
State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, both Perth Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre
Company have agreed to postpone a possible merger at this time.

 
In August 2008, after 18 months of discussions, Perth Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre
Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU outlines the Companies’ intent and
commitment to examine commercial opportunities as they move towards residency in the new State Theatre
Centre of Western Australia.

 
The MOU directed a joint working party’s exploration of specific opportunities for the creation of a newentity
that could meet a number of objectives. To facilitate this process an independent consultant was appointed,
who submitted his draft recommendations to the working party in November.

 
The consultant’s draft report recommended that a new artistic model and a new corporate structure be
implemented. Whilst the Boards considered the initial recommendations to be valuable, they required a level of additional financial support to implement the recommendations should they be adopted.

 
During the course of the discussion process, a serious decline in worldwide economic growth started to affect Western Australia. Neither Company is currently able to fund the full recommendations.

 
Given this, it has been agreed that any attempt to proceed to implement the recommendations and operate the proposed model would not meet the original MOU undertakings.
To that end both Boards have agreed the following:
•
Perth Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre Company will not proceed at this stage with the
merger recommendations as per the consultant’s draft report.
•
Both Companies will continue to consider possible merger and operational opportunities.
•
The consultant’s draft report will be reviewed and reconsidered as a framework for future discussions in
2010.
•
Perth Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre Company will continue to cooperate closely in
relation to matters concerning the Companies’ move and residency in the new State Theatre Centre.
Perth Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre Company look forward to focussing their energy on
their respective seasons.

 

Media Source : PTC