Group speaks out on Empire

Against a concerted call by some local entertainers to have the dilapidated Empire Theatre buiIding repaired, one prominent culturalist is asking for a clear policy on refurbishment of a number cultural centres in Bridgetown.
Antonio “Boo” Rudder, former chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation, was giving his position after a number of top entertainers converged on The Boatyard yesterday to galvanise efforts towards repairing the historic Empire in Barbados’ capital Bridgetown.
“If you look at our current stock, the problem generally is, most of the places are rundown. An example is the Daphne Joseph-Hackett Theatre, which I believe  would be extremely important for theatre groups because of its location and intimate capacity . . . .
“This is years that proposals have been put forward to maintain those places. The sudden interest . . . may have accrued out of UNESCO’s designation of Bridgetown and its Garrison as a World Heritage Site.
Read the full story in today’s DAILY NATION.