Campaigners call for transparency one year on from Surrey theatre closure

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered in the Harlequin Theatre, in Redhill, in September 2023 and has been closed since. Reigate and Banstead Borough (RBBC) has confirmed that the RAAC survey will begin this week and a full building condition survey is also being done, with the results expected November 15.

The Harlequin Supporting Group (HSG), set up to promote the repair and reopening of the theatre, placed a huge cake prop outside the council building ‘in protest’ to mark the anniversary of the theatre’s closure.

“It’s been a year of being told to wait for more information,” said Saskia, 25, a member of East Surrey Performing Arts (ESPA) for three years and one of the founding members of HSG.

“It’s taken a year for the survey to commence.” Saskia added and said that while she appreciated there had been “complications” with the building’s lease arrangement, “the council has left local performances without a theatre for far too long.”

She said HSG want an temporary solution for arts in the borough while the Harlequin’s doors are closed.

Saskia said HSG and its supporters want “transparency” from the council.

Understanding there is perhaps “limited outcomes” from the RAAC surveys starting this week, Saskia said she just wants to know if HSG is in it for the long haul.

While the Harlequin Theatre has been closed, performers have been using a temporary pop-up council arts space in the Belfry shopping centre as well as a temporary outdoor theatre.

However, the pop-up space closed in September and RBBC has not committed to a new substitute venue for the theatre in the run up to Christmas. This is despite many council-owned empty commercial properties in the borough. This means there is no plans for a pantomime in the area this Christmas.

Not only did the Harlequin host various shows and pantomimes, it also hired out the venue and ran a monthly comedy club, – all which have stopped since its impromptu closure.

Executive members, the ruling Conservative Party councillors, apologised for the slow progress and delay on the RAAC survey at a full council meeting on September 24. But councillors could not be drawn in on what future options of the theatre could look like, saying it would be “speculative” to do so.

Cllr Victor Lewanski (Reigate/ Conservative) said: “It would be premature to make commitments to the Harlequin’s restoration before the surveys have been completed and the findings have been considered.”

He said council officers are actively considering different scenarios that may arise depending on the outcome of the RAAC survey and building condition surveys. Cllr Lewanski said the executive is “looking forward” to receiving the surveys and the officers’ scenarios in the coming weeks.

Councillor Andrew Proudfoot (South Park and Woodhatch/ Green Party) called for the Executive to publicly apologise for the delay, the lack of availability of the arts and culture venue and for the council job losses.

Speaking for the executive, Cllr Lewanski said he “shares [the] disappointment” that the borough has been left without a theatre for a year. But he said he recognised the achievements of the big top panto, Harlequin arts takeover and Harlequin pop-up and outdoor theatre season “which have enabled residents to access arts and culture opportunities”.

RBBC has now set up dates for people to have their say on what a temporary space for performing arts might look like while the theatre is out of action. Residents can express their views on what they want arts and culture to look like in the borough from October 5 – 10 with in-person events and online forms.

The feedback will then be considered as part for the development of options for the business case for the arts provision, which will be presented to the Council Executive in January 2025.

Agenda: https://reigate-banstead.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=136&MId=2267

Consultation dates: https://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/news/article/490/arts_and_culture_in_reigate_and_banstead_-_we_want_to_hear_from_you