Tedious

The past week has been extremely tedious for the build. The weather, doing its best impersonation of a tropical rainy season, has made every aspect just that bit harder. There was a moment of huge irony on Thursday as I stood in the pouring rain, speaking to Thames Water as they charged us six hundred smackers for permission to use a hosepipe in order that we could use vital cleaning equipment. The only upside has been the opportunity to fully test the watertightness of our new structures around the site (they passed).

It is getting harder and harder to create the theatre every season although this year has been a little more difficult because of changes to suppliers and contractors; changes that have ultimately brought benefits. We have a strategy of trying to reduce the visual impact of the site on the surrounding park which we have done very well indeed, even to the extent that this past winter, for the first time in my 23 years we were able to open the theatre site to the public. But doing so has meant some major changes in the way we do things.

What becomes ever more critical for us and our patrons is a need to create a theatre that is worthy of the wonderful work we do without losing the elements that attracted people in the first place. Years ago, it was the chance to be outdoors listening to a bit of lovely music without too many expectations. Now, people want to hear world class performers without compromise. It is a very fine balance to strike and we do get better at it every year but boy, is it hard. It gives me no pleasure to report that several people at this time of year sit anxiously at their desks waiting for their telephones to ring, in fear of hearing my curt voice when they answer it. After many years, i have a very, very annoying knack of spotting the tiniest detail; a carpenter looked bewildered when I pointed out a slight misalignment of some decking. I have to admit to a touch of OCD in this regard but a few years in the hotel business a couple of decades ago hasn't really left me.

Having said that, there are, across the year, hundreds of people who work very hard to create and maintain the OHP season and there is a significant sense of achievement when the spectacular space is complete. What we have to acknowledge is that whilst we see this magnificent structure, an enormously technical theatre and magical vistas, about a hundred people in total have slogged through quagmires, rain and puddles to get it that way. On a Grade I listed site. In a (small) public park. And with every notch we raise the bar, the expectations of the public and our company rise and the challenge grows. So when we go to the Dorchester on the 8th May to hear whether we have won the RPS Music Award for Best Concert or Festival series, it is for each and every one of those people that we will be hoping for success, including that carpenter, soaked through to the skin, on his knees in a puddle, who had to correct that one inch deviation.

Coming along.

A beautiful early spring now gives way to what promises to be a drought-busting deluge. It won't bust the drought of course. We will be told it is nowhere near enough and the disaster will remain close at hand, but we will nevertheless look gratefully to our roof to protect the carpenters, technicians and sundry other contractors from the Noah-like downpours as they put the theatre together.

The rain held off for most of the marathon yesterday which means James and Sarah had only to worry about aches and pains and not pneumonia as they admirably completed the course. Oddly enough, yesterday, as I was getting absolutely drenched on a walk back from the supermarket, I glanced at the time...1459. I knew that he was hoping to finish at a particular time which meant he was possibly getting drenched as he struggled through the final couple of kilometres. As it turned out, he was finishing at exactly that moment, the lucky boy! Sarah was a few minutes behind though..... A good few quid was raised for two charities as well so hopefully they will nurse their swollen feet and throbbing joints in the knowledge it was all for a good cause. Sarah can also worry about how she will face the next few weeks with pink hair.

This season promises to be one of the best ever and it gave us all a lift to hear that we have been shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Music Award in the concerts and festivals category. The 8th of May is the moment of truth.

As we prepare for this season we are, of course, looking well into the future as our transition board investigates the concept of separation from the council. There is a huge amount to be done and some quite complex planning to be gone through. It is frustrating to hear people dilly-dally (ludicrously in some cases) with the facts and it is probably a mark of the times that such a transition brings negative thoughts to mind first. It shouldn't. Not in this case. We also have our 2013 season on the wall and I doubt there will have been a season that better encapsulates what OHP is about. We will open and close the season with productions that are pure OHP and we will publish full details very soon. For crossword fans, a (simple) clue; lupine fast cars.

The theatre is about 70% complete and we have some superb new structures this year with a whole host of aesthetic enhancements. As I have frequently said, the trick is to create a space that offers the best of the outdoor "experience" whilst mitgating against the worst. Despite a few problems and delays we have still managed to get the seating structure up in record time and we are being very precise with our contractors, both financially and from the scheduling point of view. The build is a little more urgent because we open a stunning literary festival on 18th May organised by those fine people at Ways with Words. It really is a sensational line up, possibly one of the best of any literary festival this summer and booking for it is open right now. At the end of the season we have lots of cinema events to look forward to as well.

You are so spoilt.

A bit of info on independence

Since it was announced that OHP was in the process of investigating independence from the council, there have been, as expected I suppose, some peculiar ideas and theories floating around. The paper that was put to the cabinet on 22nd March (you can actually find the paper on the RBKC website) proposed the initial structure of an independent company and set out a framework of issues to be explored and examined by an interim board and several departments of the council. It also put forward a figure that the council should be planning to contribute should the move be made final; that amounts to roughly equivalent to the sum currently committed to the festival by the borough (about 18-20% of our turnover). Over the next few months we shall delve into the complex issues surrounding the creation of a new charitable company, assets, staff issues, funding agreements and sundry other matters. Everything we, our board and consultants conclude will be put into another decision paper for the council to consider in November. There is always a temptation in these situations to think that an arts organisation undergoing this process is in some way "in trouble" and the financial situation in the country only exacerbates this fear. However, in this case, we are looking at something designed to enable the continuing growth and development of an opera company that has emerged from a very unique set of circumstances. We have been proposing it for some time, in fact and it is a natural process to examine at this stage. The Royal Borough are, and continue to be, as committed as ever to Opera Holland Park. On that point, I can say that there is a very exciting season planned for 2013 (sponsored by Investec Wealth & Investment) and we will be announcing it soon. Meanwhile, you have about two hours from time of writing to get ready for the sale of Inspire seats for the brilliant double bill!

Oops

Correction to last post www.operahollandpark.com !

Inspire seats

The first round of Inspire seats go on sale today - online only. There are about 1200 seats in this release (at £12 each). We have struggled to find an equitable system to suit everybody but I fear we never shall but online seems to be by far the most popular method. It means some may have to spend time in the "virtual" waiting room and we have limited the number you are permitted to buy. I am sure there will be plenty of "feedback" ! tomorrow and Wednesday sees further releases for the remaining productions.

Please be patient. To get your seats go to www.ooperahollandpark.com