By Ben Duke
Artistic director of Lost Dog Dance Theatre Company
What is valuable about The Witham?
I really enjoyed the atmosphere.
It is a great space and a great place to work. We performed as part of a rural tour and in that context it was an incredibly professional and well-equipped space.
Although if we were dealing with a more complicated technical show the lighting equipment may have been not quite enough.
It felt rare to find such a great performance space in a small town and, from the people I spoke to, I felt that the value of The Witham was appreciated by those who lived close.
The location is excellent and I enjoyed going down the road to look around the shops. I’m thinking of coming back for a private visit.
I was very interested in using The Witham as a space to rehearse and I’d love to use it regularly for rehearsals and performances if I could.
The front of house staff and the wonderful technical team (of one – but a very brilliant one) made the experience of working there relaxed and productive.
What could The Witham do better in future?
My only complaint is that I wanted the bar to be open after the performance so that people would hang around – as an artist it is always nice to come out into a bar that’s still buzzing after an event.
Why do you think The Witham is important for a market town like Barnard Castle?
I think it provides a creative heart to Barnard Castle.
Most towns the size of Barnard Castle don’t have an arts centre of that quality.
Having toured extensively, the difference it makes for a town to have a creative hub is very noticeable. Hard to describe but definitely noticeable.
How would you describe The Witham?
Surprising, relaxed, creative.
How would you feel if The Witham were to close?
I think without it Barnard Castle would feel like a village without a pub.
Lost Dog Dance Theatre Company presented Paradise Lost at The Witham in May 2017. Mr Duke was recently nominated for an Olivier Award in the best new dance production category
