President Paul Russell wecomed our guest speaker, Deryck Newland, Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers. We also had the pleasure of welcoming three Rotaractors – Thomas Bwambale, Sophie Warden and Adil Saad Mahmud.
Following our informal supper, we enjoyed an excellent presentation by Deryck Newland. He has connections with Winchester Rotary; he is one of our Honorary Members and some years ago he ran two Clarendon Marathons, an experience he has never forgotten! He also told us that at age 16, he took part in the Rotary Youth Speaks competition!
Since Deryck took over the helm at the Theatre Royal in 2017, many new developments have taken place. In addition to the Theatre Royal and the Hat Fair, Playmakers has evolved, which encompasses all their outreach, community and youth work.
There are two parts to Deryck’s job – as CEO many business challenges have to be met and overcome – running the theatre is a complex and expensive business. Arts Council funding has disappeared, Local Authority support is reduced, and theatre goers disposable income is less – all this in the face of continually rising costs.
Wearing his Artistic Director’s hat, Deryck’s passion and commitment to the arts is palpable. One of his objectives is “to delight and unite our communities”. His wide reaching programme of plays, musicals, singing, dancing, popular band music, solo performers, live cinema screenings and much more, inspires and entertains.
Such art changes and enhances, even saves the lives of those who go to the Theatre Royal, which is now designated a Theatre of Sanctuary – an achievement of which Deryck is very proud.
The Theatre Royal gives employment to many people, including students. Volunteers play a significant part in the running of the theatre. There is also the ‘secondary spend value’ which comes from those who visit Winchester, go to the theatre, and also spend money in the shops, hotels, restaurants, pubs and coffee shops.
In the 1970’s the Theatre Royal was earmarked for demolition to make way for a supermarket carpark. Our Winchester community saved the now listed building by buying the freehold and so saved our only theatre in Winchester. Again, during the Covid pandemic, without the support of the community for the survival appeal, the theatre would have closed forever.
Today, the theatre is not only a listed building but is recognised as a Community Asset. It also benefits from a very special asset in the person of Deryck Newland, Chief Executive and Artistic Director.
A few photos here
Diana Brooks
