Harbour Theatre Presents...

JARROD’S JARGON*

Hello from Harbour Theatre — it's nearly the end of the year...

Although we have staged no productions in 2025, the Harbour Theatre Committee has continued to meet regularly to discuss the future of the group. I'm sorry to say that the future does not look promising.

As l've mentioned previously, the committee currently consists of seven people - six of whom are retirees. These same seven people have been doing this for years. We have had no infusion of new blood or fresh interest.

We hold our AGM every year, and we're extremely grateful to the members who support and attend, but - year after year - it's the same few people who commit. Like all community theatre, Harbour Theatre is run by volunteers. We have lives. And we're getting tired.

-I'm not trying to be dramatic (ha ha). I'm not making threats. I'm just being open and honest. It would be easy to say, "We're considering upcoming shows," but we can't.
- We don't have a consistent venue. Camelot is nice but it's not ours and it's very busy.
- We don't have an extensive membership like we once had.
- We don't have a team of people who can keep going and going and going.

It is mandatory for community groups to hold an AGM. We usually hold ours in Feb or March. It is our intention to do so in 2026 and we will advertise a date in the New Year. At the AGM, we will discuss the option of winding-up Harbour Theatre. Unless we get a massive influx of fresh enthusiasm, we cannot see Harbour Theatre continuing.

don't believe this is defeatist. It is realistic. The theatre landscape is changing. Audiences are changing. Time and money pressures are skyrocketing. And people's availabilities are dwindling. Better to say, "We had a good run, but it's time to go," than to dwindle away over several years.

I'm sorry if this catches anyone flat-footed. I'm sorry if it comes at a time that's traditionally for celebration. But it's open and honest.

As always, we thank members and friends for their support. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Jarrod Buttery, President, Harbour Theatre.