Greenwich fights to the bitter end

Alice de Sousa, Artistic Director of the Greenwich Playhouse, which is being forced to close in April following the non-renewal of its lease, has issued a stinging response to the landlords’ suggestion of running their own theatre on the site. The landlords, Beds and Bars, run hostels throughout Europe, offering cheap bunk-bed facilities for backpackers, and have terminated the theatre’s lease in order to exploit commercial opportunities offered by the Olympics. The building has housed a studio theatre since 1989, and the Playhouse has been a producing theatre since 1995, when Galleon Theatre Company became resident. De Sousa said: “In the lead-up to the Millennium the greedy backpacker hostel providers, sought to shut this theatre and to replace it with bunk beds for backpackers. Following a near two-year campaign, spearheaded by the media, the theatre industry and the local community, they bowed down to pressure and accepted the theatre – which predated their ownership of the building by ten years. In the immediate lead up to the Olympics they are once again up to old tricks!” Bruce Jamieson co-founding Director of the Greenwich Playhouse and Galleon Theatre Company, added: “…not one of Beds and Bars management attended a performance at the Greenwich Playhouse – fitted, operated and owned by Galleon Theatre Company. I have however, had the misfortune of experiencing the ludicrous ‘entertainment’ offerings of Belushis’ bar in Greenwich. These have included: ‘Jungle Theme Nights’, complete with cardboard cut out animals and palm trees… In my opinion, this company have nothing to offer in terms of entertainment or theatre and would be best to focus on dealing with the numerous unfavourable reviews online and in the printed media regarding their hostels and bars.” Galleon Theatre Company’s final production ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ will be performed at the Greenwich Playhouse from 21 February to 18 March.