£3,000 losses on student production
The producer of a student-run Playhouse play may be personally liable for bills of up to £1,000 after the show she helped organise made almost £3,000 in losses.
Keble College student Preethi Mahavalli, who produced Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens at the venue last term, could be liable for the losses after underwriting failed to cover the play's deficits
The Cameron Mackintosh fund, which underwrites losses incurred by student productions, has covered £1,500 of the deficit, leaving Mahavalli's Production company, Elsinore Theatre Company, over £1,000 in debt.
Mahavalli blamed the poor financial performance on a combination of disappointing ticket sales and the high costs of obtaining the rights to the play. She told The Oxford Student: "The Playhouse itself was aware that it would not be an easy show to sell as it was firstly a musical and secondly about Aids," adding: "I have no idea why the ticket sales were diasppointing."
A spokeswoman for the Oxford Playhouse, Erin Crivelli said: "The staff of the Oxford Playhouse are working hard to support the Elegies team as they do with all student companies.
Together they are looking into ways in which the costs that the Elegies production occurred can be reduced.
"The Playhouse remains as committed as always to presenting student drama and hopes that the high quality and adventurous work will continue."
According to the show's website, the performances were meant to raise money for Aids charities. Some money was raised through fundraising at the door of the theatre, and over £800 was shared amongst several AIDS charities.
However, according to the play's charities officer, Sunniva Taylor, the supporting organisations were primarily concerned about the subject matter: "They believed that the most crucial and exciting thing about Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens was the way that it presented some very sensitive issues to a diverse audience."
13th Jan 2005