By Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter

A recent visit to the Ward Theatre made it clear that the government does not understand the value of this treasure.

For many years, theatre lovers and those who work in the field, have lobbied for the Ward Theatre to be refurbished. I now have no choice but to join them.

For a place that has such a rich culture, history and legacy, the theatre is really in need of some serious work. Some of the seats are tattered, some cannot be unfolded and others have no arm rest. While it is not overly powerful, there is the hint of a very unpleasant odour. Inside the theatre is musty and even though several productions have been staged there recently, the air inside felt like the place had just been opened for the day after years of being closed.

During the production, strange unidentified objects, which seemed to be clumps of dust, floated down to those who were seated on the ground floor. And even though some patrons seemed oblivious to this and continued enjoying their hot dogs, popcorn and other snacks, no one should really eat in such an environment. It felt like an old abandoned warehouse that had been opened for a benefit concern.

The fact that those in charge of the theatre are now allowing patrons to eat inside is a clear reflection of how much they value the place. In times gone by, no food was allowed, but I guess as time went by and they realised that no work was being done, they threw out all the rules.

I must say however that though the place was not in tip-top shape, the equipment still appeared to be in fine working order. Apart from a bit of scratchiness in the microphones, the show went off without any technical glitches. The curtains parted when they were supposed to and the lights seemed to be working just fine. This just goes to show that the place has potential.

Perhaps the authorities think it would be a wasted investment since many people are afraid of going downtown, but if they made an effort to uplift the theatre and to return it to its former glory, it would work wonders. Many people are reluctant to go to the Ward Theatre because of its location and because there is really no convenient parking.

If the authorities worked on the parking problem and provided enough security for patrons to feel safe, this would go a long way in restoring the theatre. If people feel safe and are confident that they can park their vehicles in a secure environment, they would not be so reluctant to venture downtown.

The Government needs to realise that there is a lot of unharnessed potential in the Ward Theatre, and though its glory days may have passed, it is not too late for something to be done about it.