Theatres should focus on local talent

Re: “Big rent hikes at Royal Theatre leave arts groups scrambling,” Dec. 7.

I was raised in Victoria and consider my upbringing in the city to be essential to my development as an artist. One of the most important places for this cultural awakening was the Royal Theatre, and I will never forget the extraordinary performances I witnessed there.

Last year, I had the great privilege of mounting a production with Pacific Opera Victoria. It was a fantastic homecoming for me to produce work of such a high calibre in my hometown and I am thrilled that this production of Leos Janacek’s Jenufa will now travel to Opéra de Montréal next year.

It is thus very concerning that such vital cultural organizations as the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria are potentially being forced out of the Royal Theatre due to restricted access and extraordinary rental increases. There is no comparison between touring commercial acts that parachute into the theatre and locally produced productions with Victoria-based artists that influence our national culture. Besides the fact that these generic commercial touring acts contribute little to the local economy, there is no question in my mind that there must be municipal support of the arts that concentrates on the development of the next generation of local talent.

There must be some way of ensuring that our great tradition of supporting music, dance and opera in Victoria can find its rightful home in our premier theatre. The Royal Theatre is an essential part of the city’s cultural fabric, and our civic pride must protect its illustrious legacy.

Atom Egoyan Toronto