1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Sept 11, 2018 12:08:49 GMT
If the Kiln has decided it no longer wants to include its local community and focuses on a wider audience, then fine. However, if it does want to include the local community, then I suspect that its supposed failure to include it in its rebranding process may be a mistake. At some point it will reach out to the Kilburn community and this may then seem hollow.
This is where the "us"/"them" language arises. For the protesters, the theatre was part of "us", the community, but now it is perceived as having been separated from it by "them". For some the point may not be whether the theatre is called Tricycle, Kiln or anything else, but the fact that they were not asked.
Of course, they won't bow to the protesters. Looking at these protesters, they probably have a long experience of protesting (their twitter timelines show some are strong Corbyn-supporting Labour members). However, the protest may have some effect - not to reverse the rebranding, but to get management to think twice in future. I am sure management will organise various events to show off the facilities to the community in due course.
Incidentally, the protesters claim the local newspaper was also excluded from opening night. If so, that might prove a mistake as well.
It all sounds like a mess that could have been so easily avoided.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2018 12:08:51 GMT
And a Chocolate Factory suggests creativity, taking raw ingredients and making something wonderful and beloved. But the Menier Chocolate Factory is a theatre on the site of a former chocolate factory, rather than a theatre in a borough of London called Mernieres that wanted a "creative" name to represent the act of making theatre in this area. "Kiln" is a stretch and a half and none of the reasonings for choosing that name in particular make *quite* enough sense. But it's the name now; agree, diasagree, like it, or don't, but move forward (and, if applicable, put your placards away, you look silly).
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3,099 posts
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Post by david on Sept 11, 2018 12:09:36 GMT
My own take on this is in the grand scheme of things, is the name change really that important to get the flag wavers out? If I was a local resident, I’d be grateful that there is a local theatre there at all rather than just a boarded up building or it being converted into another COSTA or McD’s. Ok, the owners probably haven’t engaged with the community as much as they might have done, but as a theatre goer, does the name of the building make any difference to me? Quite honestly no it doesn’t. I am more concerned with stuff like
1. The quality of customer service offered 2. The quality and range of productions that are programmed during the year 3. Ticket prices and the quality of the view from my seat
As others have posted, if people do feel strongly against the rebrand, then open up an alternative venue. At least it would give another theatre in the area.
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Post by Jan on Sept 11, 2018 12:10:05 GMT
Kiln doesn't speak of energy, creativity or warmth. Kilns fire at temperatures well beyond warmth. it's the change management they've fallen down on here (as is so often the case), not the branding itself. Not sure. The key bit of the re-branding is dropping the old brand name. It is a risk especially after they have been closed for two years and now have limited name recognition. Other theatres I know who have been closed for 1-2 years have come back with lower audience numbers and have had to build again, it is a risk to combine that with a name change.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2018 12:11:03 GMT
A cynical person might suggest they *knew* this would happen, and were counting on the protesters to increase publicity around the theatre's reopening.....
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4,047 posts
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Post by kathryn on Sept 11, 2018 12:19:38 GMT
I’m fairly sure more people will have hear of the Kiln now than were aware of the Tricycle - whether the protests were what they wanted or not!
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Post by Jan on Sept 11, 2018 12:20:39 GMT
A cynical person might suggest they *knew* this would happen, and were counting on the protesters to increase publicity around the theatre's reopening..... I wonder who actually came up with the name ? Did they employ brand consultants like those bearded hipsters who turn up on "The Hotel Inspector" with their list of names, mood boards and exciting font choices ?
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2,974 posts
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Post by crowblack on Sept 11, 2018 12:25:55 GMT
Here's something I've just seen from one of my local (Liverpool) food venues. Communication, friendliness, engagement - "As Autumn is just around the corner we've thought about doing some mid-week cinema nights when we'd otherwise be closed. Tickets would be free, we'd just ask you make a donation to a local charity. There'd be amazing food, themed cocktails and great films. Who's up for it?"
John Lewis has just had a rebrand that puts the stress on community and inclusivity. If a shop can do that, why does this London arts venue seem to have such a tin ear?
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Sept 12, 2018 11:09:54 GMT
Had a look at the twitter feed of the OurTricycle campaign, I think if a lot of people were really that bothered about the name change they would have more than 108 followers.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2018 11:24:41 GMT
Had a look at the twitter feed of the OurTricycle campaign, I think if a lot of people were really that bothered about the name change they would have more than 108 followers. 109. You have just inspired me to follow them.
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2,353 posts
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Post by zahidf on Sept 12, 2018 13:40:39 GMT
Had a look at the twitter feed of the OurTricycle campaign, I think if a lot of people were really that bothered about the name change they would have more than 108 followers. Storm in a tea cup
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4,598 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 13, 2018 16:21:11 GMT
^Hopefully a plastic one, not fired clay placed in an oven. Not a clay one fired in a kiln?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2018 9:04:52 GMT
I think the protestors should back off now. They had some legitimate points but sadly gender and race cards have now been played and challenging those will just get toxic. Rubasingham has gone down a bit in my estimation because she seems to have allowed this to become a war between two factions. I am guessing that there has been some tension between the old and new guard but there were some serious issues about heritage at stake here and they have not been properly addressed because people have seen this as merely a fight about a name change. All Rubasingham had to do was state how she was going to preserve the Tricycle archives so that they do not disappear into the dustbin of history. It’s a bit like the way that womens’ histories disappear when they get married and change their names. It is important to preserve the cultural heritage of the communities served by the Tricycle but Rubasingham’s comments about “fossilisation” suggest that she is chasing the new and doesn’t understand the importance of history to those vulnerable constituencies.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Sept 14, 2018 9:15:47 GMT
Looks like some positive moves are being made on both sides - the campaign has said they will not be holding further demos and tweeted this -
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6,359 posts
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Post by Jon on Sept 14, 2018 10:02:06 GMT
May end up with the Tricycle Theatre at the Kiln Centre or something. I can't see them dropping the Kiln name after an expensive rebrand, they'll probably just rename the foyer.
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2,974 posts
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Post by crowblack on Sept 14, 2018 10:15:56 GMT
Or the miniature submarine
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 14, 2018 10:20:23 GMT
Perhaps a solution would be to retain Tricycle as the Production Company name - so it would be a Tricylce (Theatre) Production of *insert play title here* at the Kiln Theatre
That would aid the transition as both old and new would be represented.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Sept 14, 2018 10:36:18 GMT
Or the Tricycle Bar. Or keep the cinema as the Tricycle. Or something.
Glad they're talking at any rate. Reminds me of the Southbank Centre vs Skateboarders thing which eventually had a happy ending.
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Post by learfan on Sept 14, 2018 11:21:38 GMT
Perhaps a solution would be to retain Tricycle as the Production Company name - so it would be a Tricylce (Theatre) Production of *insert play title here* at the Kiln Theatre That would aid the transition as both old and new would be represented. This has been a complete clusterf*ck and badly handled by the AD.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 14, 2018 11:48:09 GMT
Perhaps a solution would be to retain Tricycle as the Production Company name - so it would be a Tricylce (Theatre) Production of *insert play title here* at the Kiln Theatre That would aid the transition as both old and new would be represented. This has been a complete clusterf*ck and badly handled by the AD. No denying that But I can't see them backing down over the naming of the building now. Their position is too entrenched and all of the luvvie supporters have come out in support of a change that offers so little and denies so much heritage.
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Post by learfan on Sept 14, 2018 12:45:27 GMT
This has been a complete clusterf*ck and badly handled by the AD. No denying that But I can't see them backing down over the naming of the building now. Their position is too entrenched and all of the luvvie supporters have come out in support of a change that offers so little and denies so much heritage. Sadly i think you are right.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2018 13:53:19 GMT
Luvvies can sometimes be so stupid: all jumping onto a bandwagon because it sounds right on. Remember the whole Brasseye “cake” debacle? Well, i’m as right on as they come and bringing race and gender into this made for an easy win. I thought Rubasingham was exceptionally bright because her brilliant work as a director suggests it. But looking at the way she handled this and the last controversy shows her inexperience - nothing wrong with that but it has to be acknowledged.
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486 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Nov 5, 2018 22:25:24 GMT
When will this stop?
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4,598 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 6, 2018 6:27:28 GMT
So far the Kiln’s productions haven’t gone down too well which I guess is only furling the protests
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Nov 6, 2018 6:47:34 GMT
They are as I understand it still in talks with the theatre.
FFS
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2,353 posts
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Post by zahidf on Nov 6, 2018 7:04:44 GMT
They are as I understand it still in talks with the theatre. FFS Most of the press reaction to the protest seems contempt and 'don't they have something better to do?'
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Nov 6, 2018 9:01:39 GMT
Given they are apparently in talks with the theatre, and also there is a new Executive Director which would be a good opportunity to reach a compromise I would think, it seems counterproductive and a good way to lose any goodwill they may have built up. And a candlelit vigil seems tasteless to me - it's what you do after a death not because you don't like the name of a theatre.
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5,597 posts
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Post by lynette on Nov 6, 2018 17:17:37 GMT
Hmm, lighting a candle totally inappropriate.
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Post by partytentdown on Nov 6, 2018 18:30:53 GMT
Is there another White Teeth press night? Can't see any reviews yet
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888 posts
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Post by lonlad on Nov 6, 2018 18:31:50 GMT
yes. last night was press night followed by tonight's "guest night" -- reviews to follow from late tonight
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