No more performances at Mon Repos Theatre until it’s deemed safe

The Corfu DIPETHE administration is waiting for Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands Municipality Town Planning Department and Technical Services conclusion, due to the problem that occurred in the Mon Repos theatre platform last week and yesterday it cancelled the children's show “Puss in Boots”.

At an extraordinary meeting, the Corfu DIPETHE administration decided not to put on any further theatrical performances at the venue until the Town Planning Department gives the “green light” with regard to its safety.

Last Thursday, during maintenance of the venue, which is carried out before each event, damage was found on the 9th tier and it was therefore deemed necessary for the Town Planning Department to carry out an extensive inspection throughout the theatre.

“The damage has not been fully repaired. We want to see if there is any further damage and that is why we are waiting for the Town Planning Department’s conclusion,” Deputy Mayor and President of the Corfu DIPETHE (Municipal & Regional Theatres) Panayiota Tzanne told Enimerosi.

With the exception of yesterday's performance, no other performance is scheduled for this week. If all goes well, the curtain will rise again on Tuesday, July 20 with the children's show “Masha and the Bear”.

Costly maintenance every year

According to the Corfu DIPETHE Artistic Director Barbara Douka, a lot of money is spent on theatre maintenance every year as, in addition to the normal damage, many visitors to Mon Repos use the theatre for training, which results in further damage.

“Every year money is spent on the maintenance of the theatre,” she said. “There were times when basic maintenance would start at a low cost and would end up costing several thousand Euros. It has to do with the timber quality chosen for the Mon Repos theatre by the previous administration.”