Big plans for old Vic Theatre

Press, 9 August 1982, Page 10

Big plans for old Vic Theatre

NZPA London Ed Mirvish, the millionaire owner of Honest Ed’s discount store and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Toronto, has given a cheque for $1.3 million to the Royal Victoria Hall Trustees in London, completing his purchase of the Old Vic Theatre. He bought' the London theatre “blind,” although his wife had visited it, and a few days ago he saw it for the first time. At the theatre he said: “I think it has a tremendous potential and I am very

enthusiastic. It has had a hard life, and looks a little threadbare, but if we can make it attractive and give the public value for money, I • think the theatre can work.” Mr Mirvish, aged 68, is putting about $2.37 million into the Old Vic to make structural alterations and improve the comfort of both performers and patrons. He will be knocking out a side wall on the stage to enlarge it for the production of musicals. The theatre which has

been dark since May 1981, was put up for sale earlier this year by. the trustees, who asked for sealed bids. Mr Mirvish heard of the sale three days before the expiry date in ' June and immediately sent in his bid Of $1.3 million which beat the rival bid of Andrew Lloyd Webber — composer of “Jesus Christ Superstar” — by $120,000. Now he has the theatre, he is keen to get in touch with Mr Lloyd Webber to see. if they can combine on future

productions. First, however comes the restoration and refurbishment of the Old Vic, and Mr Mirvish hopes to open the theatre.again by September next year. He intends to provide a mixture of straight plays and musicals. Although he has not drawn up exact plans, he expects to use the ’ same subscription ticket system in London as he operates in Toronto, giving subscribers a substantial discount for buying a package of seven shows a year.