Black Swan State Theatre Company and Perth 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 Black Swan State Theatre Company and Perth Theatre Company have agreed to postpone a possible merger at this time.
In August 2008, after 18 months of discussions, Black Swan State Theatre Company and Perth 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 new entity 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:
- Black Swan State Theatre Company and Perth 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.
- Black Swan State Theatre Company and Perth Theatre Company will continue to cooperate closely in relation to matters concerning the Companies’ move and residency in the new State Theatre Centre.
Black Swan State Theatre Company and Perth Theatre Company look forward to focussing their energy on their respective seasons.
