Theatre to shed jobs to save future

CORK Opera House recorded a €286,346 loss for the financial year ended last March but has agreed an ambitious business plan to secure its future.

Shareholders attending its annual general meeting yesterday were told the plan, which aims to reduce operating costs and increase the number of annual performance nights from 220 to almost 300, was signed off by the board yesterday.

Chairman Damien Wallace said it is the company’s intention to keep the theatre open year-round in future. Savings of up to €500,000 have to be achieved over the next financial year – €400,000 from payroll and €100,000 from other sources.