Harlequin Blog

[Chris]

After the fire at my theatre I started a blog to record the progress -what progress? - towards reopening. I don't know if anyone is interested, or whether I've posted this pefore, but here's the address:
http://puppetshow.info/wpblog

[Richard Coombs]

Hello Chris.
Thank you for the blog , and sharing with us the Harlequin Theatres slow journey back to Life.

More pictures as things improve would be appreciated.
Lovely to see the new Stage Doors.

Sorry it is all taking do long , but at least it sounds as if the work being done is thorough.

Warmest Wishes
Richard

[Chris]

Alas no Richard. Not thorough. I'd thought I'd explained on my blog. The main job which is cleaning the theatre of the soot and smoke damage hasn't even started. After a multitude of emails back and forth, after a request for and obtaining a full check for asbestos, after much dicussion about seat cleaning and scaffolding, nothing has been done. Now we are literally back to square one - they plan to do a second survey of what needs doing!
My electricians can't do anything more until the theatre is cleaned. The curtains cannot be rehung until the theatre is cleaned. The seats cannot be cleaned until the theatre is cleaned. The decorators can't do a thing until the theatre is cleaned. It is all very frustrating. I am worried now that I will have to cancel my Christmas Season.

[Richard Coombs]

Wonderful to see how much has been done.
Fingers crossed you do get your half term opening Chris.

Thanks for the updates and the photos.

Richard

[Chris]

Yes Richard, after 5 months of totally unnecessary delays the theatre was finally partially cleaned the last week of the Christmas term. That was an essential task, but the only one arranged by the insurers. Once they had done their work the various other contractors who I had arranged are proving much more efficient and sympathetic. Of course they haven't just been sitting around waiting for my job, they have in the past 5 months of waiting taken on other commitments and they can't just drop everything because I have an upcoming season. But I feel they will do their best and therefore am feeling much more optimistic that I will open on February 11th. Unfortunately the biggest job is the seat cleaning and that can't be until the end of January. I booked them in August, but they couldn't do their work until the walls and ceiling had been done. They did warn me that if it got to November when the flood damage claims started coming in then they would have problems getting me sorted. As it is there were floods in Anglesey and they are much involved with recovery work there. But they have pencilled Jan 23rd & 24th for me so if they are not delayed, and if we don't hit any major snags otherwise, then all will be well for a happy ever after ending - sort of! It will be fun to be pulling strings again.
Then it won't be long before we start thinking of Easter, then the May Fayre, and then the Summer Season and yet another year will be slipping by. As Eric used to say: "What fun!"

[Richard Coombs]

Enjoying the Blog Chris.

Astounded by the delays.

Isn't it always the way that the tradesmen and women who actually come and do the real work at the sharp end are brilliant ... but if you want mix ups and delays then there is nothing like a "Company' to slow things down !

Wishing you the very Best of Luck for your long awaited re opening on February 11th.

[Richard Coombs]

Not long now Chris !

It must feel strange being about to perform again in your wonderful Theatre after such a rotten enforced break.

Wishing you all the best for a sparkling re-opening.
The sounds of joy and laughter and wonderment will again be heard at The Harlequin!

BREAK A LEG ! ( or bust a string !)

[Chris]

Thanks Richard. I'll do my best. Dress rehearsal was a nightmare - so that's a good sign.

[Richard Coombs]

Hello Chris
Hope rehearsals are going well for The Magic Toyshop.

Have a great Easter Season.

Happy Easter Richard

[Chris]

Thanks Richard - opening tomorrow for 4 days, then 4 days of Easter weekend at Tatton Park, then reopen the theatre for two weeks to accomodate tail end of the holiday of the schools in Wales and the whole holiday of many of the schools in contiguent English counties. So my Toyshop rehearsal was a fortnight ago and since then I've alternated cleaning with planning the Tatton shows. Isn't life fun. Are you opening at the Heights?

[Richard Coombs]

After all those months of enforced stagnation because the fire and smoke damage , it is brilliant to hear you so busy and bustling again.

Heights of Abraham doesn't start for me until the middle of July , although , yes the venue itself is back to full time opening from Easter .

Cant see that far ahead just though ...right now all my focus is on trying to have my new booth ready for the Mayfayre.

[Nick Jackson]

I have only just caught up with this very sad news. Glad to hear your are getting back into the swing.

[Chris]

Hello Nick,
Yes, back in full swing now - in fact just finished the Easter Season which was a very good one.

[Nick Jackson]

Pleased to hear this. Well done for not being disheartened.