Stage is set for town’s cultural vacuum to linger

THANK you for featuring the arts venue called Cast (Yorkshire Post, August 22) which is due to open in Doncaster in September.

May I explain that the air of gloom your correspondent sensed there was caused by the closure of the buzzing, vibrant Civic Theatre in March, leaving a cultural vacuum which might never be filled.

This theatre has provided live professional shows, ballet, opera, amateur drama and musicals, traditional music hall, dance school revues and annual pantomimes. It was also a popular venue for the Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra and the South Yorkshire Police Male Voice Choir.

What concerns many cultured Doncastrians is the lacklustre programme that Cast is offering in its opening season. The Glee Club has already been performed at the Civic Theatre and several jazz and swing bands have also appeared there. The pantomime Cinderella will not feature Russell Watson as Prince Charming, Russell Brand and Russell Grant as the Ugly Sisters as expected.

So you can understand our concern about weather conditions on Friday, September 6, for the Cast of Thousands which could have been staged indoors at the Civic Theatre at little expense!