A theatre boss laid off from his job today spoke for the first time about his anger and despair.

Palace Theatre artistic director Chris Dunham told This Is Essex it was "criminal" to make staff redundant.

He said the Westcliff theatre's funding problems had been a "running sore" for about 10 years - but he praised Southend Council for its regular support.

However, he said it was not too late to stop the Palace from closing down.

Mr Dunham, chief executive and artistic director, spoke out following news the theatre must close for nine months next year.

More than 40 jobs will go when the curtain falls on the theatre on March 14, 1999.

He said staff had lost confidence in the board of the Palace Theatre Trust after it announced the closure plans.

He said: "If you compare this theatre with others in the eastern region the amount of funding here is minimal.

"The Mercury, in Colchester gets £220,000 from the Eastern Arts Board, the Wolsey, in Ipswich gets £322,757 and Palace, in Watford gets £204,500.

"We get just £45,000.

"This problem has been a running sore on the side of the Palace Theatre."

Mr Dunham, 60, said there was still time to stop the Palace closing next year - if extra money could be found.

He said: "It's not too late.

"If I could go into the board meeting and said someone feels fantastic about the Palace, here is his money but here are the provisos, the board would have to consider that. Nothing is impossible."

He praised staff for their fundraising efforts and hard work over the years - including raising £26,000 last year - and he said it was "criminal" to make them redundant.

He said: "The feelings in the theatre is one of anger and despair and a complete lack of confidence in the board. Someone has likened it to a family bereavement."

He said the public could help by visiting the theatre but also by lobbying MPs, the theatre's board and the Eastern Arts Board.

Southend Shakespeare Company is to perform its last production at the Palace Theatre before the venue faces a long lay-off.

The company reverts back to Shakespeare after a summer performing Sheridan's The Rivals.

The dark tragic tale of Othello will be retold in the intimate surroundings of the Dixon Studio at the Palace, in London Road, Westcliff. Although written nearly 500 years ago the themes in Othello are as relevant today as ever.

Othello, the Moor of Venice, is a respected soldier at the height of his powers , and recently married secretly to his young bride Desdemona.

However, he also has enemies who resent his position. One in particular will stop at nothing in his obsession to plot the Moor's downfall. That man is Iago, one of Shakespeare's most memorable villains.

Othello will be at the Palace Theatre from November 3 to 7, nightly at 7.45pm.

Call the box office on 01702 473172 to book.

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