Opera House closure - Theatre in difficulty

CORK Opera House has played a pivotal role in the cultural life of the south of Ireland for over a century and a half and it is unfortunate that financial difficulties force its temporary closure.

As many people have to accept the consequences of income cuts it is inevitable that any venture depending on a discretionary spend will suffer first. Cork Opera House finds itself in that bind.

Despite being refurbished with varying degrees of success over the years, the venue has been unable to build the kind of customer loyalty needed to make it commercially viable. This was despite considerable support from Cork City Council and local businesses.

There have been difficulties too in sustaining the kind of standards needed to woo audiences that can choose from an ever-growing entertainment menu. When did our “national” theatre – the Abbey – last bring a production to the south?

It may be time to consider selling the theatre to private interests as a city with so many other publicly owned venues may not be able to sustain them all. Whatever happens it would greatly diminish Cork city if the closure was anything other than temporary.