Theatre to be closed for months. (Article by Billy Suter, courtesy
of his blog, SoSuterBill)
(Rhumbelow Theatre
manager Roland Stansell surveys the roof damage at the theatre's Umbilo branch
in Cunningham Road, Durban. Metal jacks have now been fitted to support the
cracked beams discovered in the roof. Pic by Bryan Hiles)
In the good old showbusiness tradition, the show will go on
for Durban’s Rhumbelow Theatre franchise – but not for a few months at the
Umbilo venue, in the shellhole of the same name, in Cunningham Road.
Plans for a simple ceiling replacement there, following
recent storm damage, have now led to the opening of a whole new can of worms,
as it has been discovered that beams in the roof are cracked and pose a danger.
It is a process that could take up to six months as a result
of financial issues and availability of a work team, says Roland Stansell,
manager and entertainment co-ordinator of the Rhumbelow Theatre group, which
also has branches at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof and the Allan Wilson shellhole in
Pietermaritzburg.
“As far I am concerned the Umbilo building is condemned and
it seems highly likely we will have to replace the entire roof to ensure
safety,” he adds.
Roofing woes will see the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo,
Durban, closed for up to six months.
A cracked beam was discovered the day after Christmas, when
Bryan Hiles, who was project managing the ceiling repairs, arrived with his
team to remove all lighting and projectors at the venue for routine cleaning
and maintainance.
When the damaged ceiling was removed it was noticed that a
beam was cracked and there were signs of previous repairs where extra battons
had been added. That, however, was done as far back as 1956, says Roland.
A day after the cracked beam was noticed, a representative
of the repair team noticed three fresh cracks in the roof.
“It needs to be inspected by engineers for safety, and in
all likelihood will mean that the roof rafters will need to be completely
replaced. This is a money and time issue.”
Roland says all shows booked for the Durban venue, the first
of which was planned for early February next year, will be moved to another
temporary venue, to be announced by mid-January.
“Please note that the Rhumbelow theatre in Durban is not
closing down,” Roland posted on his Facebook page after rumour had spread… and
someone had even contacted him to hear he might be emigrating.
“I am not going anywhere – other than on a cruise holiday
which will see me back on January 16,” he adds.
“We have been running the theatre at the Rhumbelow Moth Hall
for some 16-and-a-half years. We will, for audience safety, need to fix/replace
the entire roof structure. If anyone is in a position to make any donations
towards this cause, please email me on roland@stansell.za.net.
“We are looking forward to a great 2018 year of great shows.
Please keep your eyes on social media for details regarding Umbilo, Durban,
shows and which venue they will be at.”
Durban's Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo has been operating for
16-and-a-half years. – Billy Suter
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