ARTS DIARY: Gladstone poll shows lack of local support.

Byline: Lew Baxter

A SURPRISE survey has revealed that contrary to popular belief Wirral residents are the least likely to visit the theatre than most other Merseysiders, with less than 20pc considering themselves regularly in the habit.

The details came after the Gladstone Theatre Trust carried out a market poll in the area in collaboration with the North West Arts Board.

It found that only 18pc of those questioned reckoned they went to the theatre often and only 25pc had ever visited the theatre - the second biggest in the Wirral and with a history stretching back to the turn of the century.

According to Gladstone Theatre Trust marketing co-ordinator Alan Davies many are not even aware of its current diary of events and says the shocking news doesn't really surprise him or the theatre board.

In Merseyside generally the poll discovered that 31pc of the population visited theatres across the area, taking in drama, musicals and other forms of live performance.

``Even though we are all working hard to promote the wide range of productions we are staging, we do struggle to get audiences,'' said Alan. ``We have been concerned that so few people know about us and we thought that maybe it was to do with an image problem. So we reckoned the survey might highlight the issues that need to be addressed,'' he added.

According to Mr Davies the theatre - run totally on a voluntary basis - offers some 50 shows a year in the 470-seat venue in its listed Port Sunlight Village location.

The Trust has appointed a special administrator to help boost its profile and Alan Davies admits that the theatre does need help to promote itself.

L FOR programme details of the coming autumn season at the Gladstone Theatre, call 0151-645 5755.