Indhu Rubasingham’s departure welcomed
The Tricycle campaign of course welcomes the decision of Indhu Rubasingham to vacate her position as Artistic Director. As an artistic talent she could be described as a David Beckham… but as a theatre manager she is no Alex Ferguson.
Her talent as an artistic director was recognised early by Nicholas Kent who, as Artistic Director from 1984-2012 established a huge international reputation for the Tricycle Theatre. Her appointment was greeted enthusiastically.
The festivities were short-lived and her reputation as a theatre manager was damaged by two badly-judged episodes:
– in 2014, her missteps concerning the UK Jewish Film Festival;
– in 2018, her scrapping of the Tricycle Theatre’s name, and the sleight of hand with which it was done.
Both calamities brought protesters onto the streets and squandered the Tricycle brand. Let’s not forget how Private Eye was provoked to write (1st June 2018):
“She cooked up this banquet of bollocks”.
Sadly, her departure leaves a bad taste in the mouth, and although it is unlikely the name of the Tricycle will be returned, it would be a joyous day if she were to take the guttural name of Kiln Theatre with her
Tricycle Theatre rebranded without warning or due consultation
In April 2018, towards the end of a two year closure for refurbishment, it was announced that the much loved Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn was to reopen under a new name.
The shock announcement was met with disbelief from theatre lovers in Kilburn and beyond. It showed a disregard for those who had donated time, money and energy over the past 36 years to help establish the Tricycle as an internationally-famous, successful community theatre – not least those who had contributed to the £7.5 million raised from public money for the theatre’s refurbishment.
Bewildered by the decision to throw away almost 40 years of history with little or no consultation from stakeholders, the Tricycle’s supporters were left with no recourse but to mount a community driven campaign to reverse the name change.
No consultation, no engagement
The campaign was a spontaneous response to overwhelming local incredulity at the change of name. A consultation process did not appear to have taken place. Those running the theatre claimed they had consulted, but refused all requests to share any of the resulting data. Off the record meetings with the Trustees revealed the view that proper consultation had not, in fact, taken place.
During the five months following the announcement, those in charge of the theatre refused to engage with members of the local community involved in the campaign. Each attempt to engage with theatre management over the name change led to another closed door. It became clear that attempts to discuss their process were futile and they seemed disinterested in reconnecting the theatre with its community.
When we were finally granted an audience with the theatre management, it was September 2018 and opening night for the new Kiln had been and gone. It was made clear the name change was non-negotiable. We were told in no uncertain terms it was a fait-accompli and the change of name was non-negotiable.
Protecting the Tricycle’s legacy
The Tricycle Theatre, cinema and theatre bar were true fixtures of Kilburn. The venue was a landmark that became a symbol of Kilburn’s vibrancy, beloved by local residents and visitors alike as a meaningful community hub and a place where friendships were made and nurtured.
Despite promises that the Kiln would honour the Tricycle’s history, both in the theatre building itself and in literature about the theatre, we have been saddened to learn that this appears not to have happened. Instead the rich history of the theatre is being slowly intentionally eradicated.
Restoring the name of the Tricycle would at once reconnect our theatre with the community it serves. We hope that the theatre’s identity and its place in the hearts of the local community will once again be respected, so that all can delight in this cultural icon once more.
While the campaign is no longer active, we remain hopeful that the theatre’s leadership will choose to embrace the local community. We continue to welcome any opportunity to engage.
COVID-19
The Coronavirus epidemic has jeopardised the arts and every theatre in the world. The situation could not be more serious. Sam Mendes called on the government to allow theatres to reopen from December 2020 without social distancing but with extensive preventive measures (The Times, 24th July 2020). We echo his remarks.
The Tricycle campaign never called for a boycott of the theatre but many people chose not to return. We dearly hope the theatre in Kilburn survives and of course we encourage all who used to attend it to do so again as soon as possible. This is an existential crisis and feelings of hurt must be set aside.
We still want our Tricycle back though.