How about this for a show? Me and My Girl and My Arm’s-Length External Organisation.
It may not trip lightly off the tongue, but it could point the way to a secure future for the Whitehall Theatre in Dundee following the collapse of the company that ran it.
As Dundee Schools Music Theatre opened their production of Me and My Girl on Thursday the first show since the company’s financial woes emerged the city council announced it was looking at the possibility of stepping in.
Following discussions with the trust that owns the Bellfield Street building, it has made a proposal for day-to-day operations to become its responsibility and that of its offshoot Leisure and Culture Dundee.
Details have still to be finalised, but officials plan to present a report to councillors at a special meeting before the end of September.
Leisure and Culture Dundee was spun off from the council earlier this year with the aim of saving around £400,000 in rates. It has charitable status and is responsible for running venues such as the Olympia leisure centre, the McManus, the Caird Hall, libraries and two public golf courses.
Such arms-length external organisations have become increasingly popular among local authorities.
A council spokesman said: “Trustees from the Whitehall Theatre Trust and representatives of local amateur dramatic and musical societies met with senior officers of the city council to discuss the future of the Whitehall Theatre.
“Whitehall Theatre Trust would continue to own and maintain the theatre, and a proposal was discussed that would see the city council and Leisure and Culture Dundee manage and administer the facility. The proposal is at an early stage and will be further developed during September.”
Meanwhile theatre-goers made their way to Thursday’s opening performance. Around 400 tickets sold for the show, proving the theatre remains a draw to audiences.