Managers of the Gaiety Theatre claim that the way in which some traditional theatrical scenery is stored backstage is ’unsuitable and dangerous’.

They were responding to criticism levelled at them by the Service Players who claim local groups are being sidelined.

The Gaiety management have asked for the ’flats’, wooden batten frames used to construct traditional box sets, to be rehoused outside the theatre. Having historically been stored in a purpose-built rack at the rear of the stage, the flats were moved some years ago to a corridor on the upper floor.

In a statement, the Department for Education, Sport and Culture said it acknowledged the Gaiety’s historical importance. But it said: ’Storage space at the theatre is limited.

Limited space

’Discussions continue with representatives of the local amateur groups in relation to the proposal that the flats be rehoused at an offsite location, on the grounds that the current storage location of the flats is unsuitable and dangerous.’

The DESC added: ’As a working theatre, the Gaiety stores props and costumes for use by any groups hiring the facility, and this will continue in the future.’

The Service Players say the flats are a ’fundamental part of the accoutrements of a working Victorian theatre’.

They have called for the flats to be stored on an interim basis in purpose-built racks in the paint floor.

But the Players have also called on the support of Tynwald members for a proposed fundraising campaign to restore the paint floor and its historic paint frame mechanism which was designed to house and move scenery boards.

The DESC said: ’The paint floor was decommissioned a number of years ago and retained as part of our Victorian theatre’s history.’

Rejecting the idea thatlocal groups are being sidelined, the DESC said the VillaGaiety welcomes many local amateur groups throughout the year and the Arts Council subsidises the hire rate for these productions.