'Killjoy' council bosses blasted for threatening children's pantomime
with police raids
By Stuart Patterson
Last updated at 8:24 PM on 28th November 2008
The amateur players in a village Christmas panto had no difficulty
identifying the villains of this year’s show - and they aren’t even in
the script.
For 17 years, the ladies and gentlemen and boys and girls of
Peterculter, Aberdeenshire, have staged a show in the village hall -
starring themselves.
Now killjoy council bosses have threatened them with a police raid on
the first night of their Christmas ‘run’ - because their show
contravenes health and safety laws.
City licensing officials at crisis-hit Aberdeen City Council apparently
spotted an advert in a local paper for Aladdin and ordered the city’s
lawyers to write to the organisers telling them to cancel.
Council lawyers wrote to the hall committee saying they were required to
notify police when it appeared unlicensed activities were taking place.
A breakthrough was finally reached late today after emergency talks
between the organisers and council officials.
The council confirmed authorities were content for the show to go ahead
if the fire and rescue services found no problems during a hall
inspection on Monday.
Defiant villagers had earlier vowed the show would go on – and were
warned that police could close down the Aladdin production when it opens
next week for a five-night run.
The council had claimed the show did not have a ‘proper licence’ under
rules laid down in 1968.
Peterculter Theatre Club has a public entertainment licence for the show
- but not a theatre licence.
Organiser Susan Chappell-Smith said: ‘We've discovered that a public
entertainment licence means you can stage fetes, circus acts and variety
shows - but not stage plays.
‘The law has apparently been in place since 1968 - so why are we only
being told about it now after 17 years of putting on pantos?
‘We can't understand why the council is being so heavy-handed.
‘The last thing we want to do is break the law, but we had no idea we
were doing anything wrong and it’s too late to stop the show.’
The Christmas panto is a village tradition which features the local
residents.
Rehearsals began three months ago and a ‘small fortune’ has been spent
on costumes and a band for the five performances.
Council solicitors had told the amateurs the show could ahead if they
applied for a theatre licence but that could take more than three weeks.
Miss Chappell-Smith said: ‘We've spent so much money it would be
disastrous if we had to cancel. We could go bankrupt.
'It would also be heartbreaking for the cast, who have put in so much
time and effort.’
The theatre group renamed the panto as a ‘Christmas entertainment show
based around the theme of Aladdin’, to try to circumvent the rules.
Miss Chappell-Smith added: ‘The whole thing is ridiculous. We have an
incredible health and safety record when you consider we've been running
pantos for 17 years without incident.
‘I find it hard to accept this is in the council’s best interests.’
The female lead in the show is 14-year-old schoolgirl Lauren McPhail,
who has spent months preparing for her role as Too-Shy in the
pantomime.
Her father Steve, a business consultant, has also played a part in the
production, helping to build and paint sets.
He said: 'It's very disappointing that it's come to this. The pantomime
is very important to Lauren and she's determined to go ahead with it.
'I don't know why the council have reacted in this way after everyone's
worked so hard. They need to come up with a solution because they've
caused the problem.'
A spokesman for the Council said it had a duty to report licensing
breaches to the police.
He added: ‘We have no discretion in this matter. There is a minimum
14-day notice period for application for a theatre licence, which is
laid down by statute and cannot be waived.
‘The legislation is in place to ensure the safety of people attending
public buildings. In respect of a theatre licence, this includes checks
on technical issues such as moving parts on stage, lighting safety
curtains etc.
‘All of these have the potential to go wrong with serious implications
for public safety.’
Grampian Police said it was not aware of the situation until this
morning, after which it began discussions with the council.
Superintendent Adrian Watson said it was "not the intention of Grampian
Police to spoil the enjoyment of those taking part".
The council was criticised by John Midgely, of the Campaign against
Political Correctness, who said: ‘This is all down to over-the-top and
over-zealous council killjoys.
‘I don't think it’s a matter of importance to get the police to shut
down something which brings joy.’
Council's poor financial record
Every panto needs a 'baddie' and, in this case, it is Kate Dean, the
leader of Aberdeen City Council, who finds herself cast in the role of
the person we all love to hate.
Councillor Dean has presided over the authority’s disastrous financial
record and that should be her priority, according to Peterculter
councillor Alan Milne.
He said: ‘There are much more pressing things for the council to be
worrying about at the moment. It needs to be sorting out its finances
rather than closing down pantos.’
http://www.dailymai
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Friday, 28 November 2008
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