Theatres should focus on local talent
Re: “Big rent hikes at Royal Theatre leave arts groups scrambling,” Dec. 7.
I was raised in Victoria and consider my upbringing in the city to be essential to my development as an artist. One of the most important places for this cultural awakening was the Royal Theatre, and I will never forget the extraordinary performances I witnessed there.
Last year, I had the great privilege of mounting a production with Pacific Opera Victoria. It was a fantastic homecoming for me to produce work of such a high calibre in my hometown and I am thrilled that this production of Leos Janacek’s Jenufa will now travel to Opéra de Montréal next year.
It is thus very concerning that such vital cultural organizations as the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria are potentially being forced out of the Royal Theatre due to restricted access and extraordinary rental increases. There is no comparison between touring commercial acts that parachute into the theatre and locally produced productions with Victoria-based artists that influence our national culture. Besides the fact that these generic commercial touring acts contribute little to the local economy, there is no question in my mind that there must be municipal support of the arts that concentrates on the development of the next generation of local talent.
There must be some way of ensuring that our great tradition of supporting music, dance and opera in Victoria can find its rightful home in our premier theatre. The Royal Theatre is an essential part of the city’s cultural fabric, and our civic pride must protect its illustrious legacy.
Atom Egoyan
Toronto
Theatres do better than arts groups
Re: “Big rent hikes at Royal Theatre leave arts groups scrambling,” Dec. 7.
The article sets forth difficult issues for all the organizations concerned. That said, its initial focus is: “RMTS argues its own financial squeeze forced the move.” Without getting deep into matters, I point out the following:
The Royal and McPherson Theatres Society, Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera Victoria and Dance Victoria are registered charitable organizations. As such, they must file returns with the Canada Revenue Agency annually. The information is published on CRA’s website. The most recent filing (2017) for all four organizations gleans the following:
Victoria Symphony — Budget: $5.1 million, surplus on year: $15,700, 0.3 per cent of budget; Pacific Opera — Budget: $4.5 million, deficit on year: ($488,000), -10.7 per cent of budget; Dance Victoria — Budget: $1.5 million, deficit: ($4,800), -0.3 per cent of budget; RMTS — Budget: $3.8 million, surplus: $475,100, 12.6 per cent of budget.
In 2017, the RMTS was far and away the least “squeezed” of the four groups. CRA filings for 2015 and 2016 show parallel information.
The Royal Theatre is owned by Victoria, Oak Bay and Saanich municipalities and managed by the theatres society. The symphony, opera and Dance Victoria are longtime producers/presenters in this community. Their ability to continue functioning is at stake. The society’s decisions need to be publicly vetted by the owners.
C. Stephen Smith
Former manager (1985-2000)
Victoria Symphony
Isitt will focus on city’s major issues
Re: “City looks to reduce Christmas decorations, broaden diversity,” Dec. 8.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve asked dozens of questions of municipal staff as part of a line-by-line analysis of the City of Victoria’s 800-page budget document. This was consistent with my promise during the recent election to advocate for cost-effective public services.
One question I asked last week related to the appropriate level of public funding on decorations, in the context of other priorities for public services, and whether taxpayer-funded decorations should be arm’s-length from specific religious or spiritual practices.
This is the issue that the media have chosen to focus on, which is their right. I intend to continue focusing on the major issues confronting our community — including housing rights, climate action and other measures to build a strong, sustainable city and region.
Ben Isitt
Victoria city councillor
Isitt stories designed to stir controversy?
Re: “City looks to reduce Christmas decorations, broaden diversity,” Dec. 8; “Councillor’s Christmas objections seen as ‘divisive,’ ” Dec. 11.
Two blaring front-page headlines about Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt’s concerns over Christmas decorations seem deliberately designed to provoke controversy. The Times Colonist appears to be following in the footsteps of Fox News by trying to stir up outrage about the “War on Christmas,” which doesn’t really exist. Why doesn’t the paper get back to covering actual news stories?
Steven Murray
Victoria
Helps is the mayor of all of us?
Re: “Helps gets OK to hire adviser for her office,” Dec. 8.
I must have overslept and missed the nomination process, election, etc., for I woke up the other morning and learned that Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps had declared: “But I’m the mayor of the city of 85,000 and the mayor of the region of 300,000 people.”
Really!
John Charlton
Langford
Coverage of Speaker has been biased
Re: “Speaker’s meltdown raises the stakes,” column, Dec. 8.
Like everyone else, I am in the dark about what happened at the legislature, but I can’t help but be troubled by what appears to be biased coverage by the Times Colonist.
Over a couple of days, in describing Speaker Darryl Plecas’s address to the all-party committee (characterized as “a meltdown”), Plecas “threatened to resign” (instead of “offered” or “promised” to resign) if his charges were not vindicated. A laudable position, it seems to me. He also “went on a tirade” (instead of “said,” “claimed” or “stated”), alleging widespread financial mismanagement requiring investigation.
In calling for a quick forensic audit of his office to illuminate his concerns (sounds right to me), an editorial criticizes, even ridicules, his haste. One has to wonder what they would say if he were, instead, wanting to delay it. Wouldn’t that be more suspicious? Can Plecas do nothing right?
Accompanying pictures of Plecas show him with clenched fists and a truculent, aggressive expression, furthering the negative impression.
Words and pictures have the power to sway sentiment, but with the exception of editorials and columns, a newspaper’s obligation is to be neutral in the presentation of facts.
Judy Moscovitz
Victoria
