“Molly, I love your enthusiasm, but do you seriously think that the average Plymouthian would know what an "art house film" is?

Mason - who the heck if President Power?”

“So the new plans are to make the complex into a circus? I don't think that's a very progressive idea as circuses are poorly attended these days, especially since they banned animals. When I was a kid I'd go to the circus and it was always sold out. We'd all cheer as the lion tamer whacked a lion with a chair. It's not a coincidence that numbers fell off when this was stopped. A classic example of how the so called do-gooders end up destroying what they claim to protect simply by not understanding it.”

“Mason its pretty obvious some people come on here to put across adult views and not for a mickey taking session cos they have nothing better to do, maise has made a valid sensible adult comment like a lot of other people try to do before it gets turned into a circus”

“MaisieM - you are clearly someone in the know so why are you blatently ignoring the underpants debate?”

“Molly, with the exception of the Theatre Royal, the Athenaeum is the largest theatre in Plymouth - hardly a church hall. It hosts many differnt groups and is used by various award winning companies like the Gilbert & Sullivan Society and The Wranglers, both of whom are known for their sell out, highly professional shows. It is worth remembering that the Barbican and Drum provide more flexibles spaces for the types of performances your 'niche' audiences wish to see. Most local theatre companies cannot cater for niche audiences, their overheads are too great and any finanical success relies on getting the biggest audience possible for every show.

I do agree however, that the Athenaeum building needs a complete spring-clean. The theatre part actually has some decent, modern equipment but is let down by the poor seating and decor.”

“I doubt your notion can be right. If she did wear them the Herald long lens guys would have had a picture of her on the roof. Possibly in the loom of a spotlight.”

“Let's not get off the point Molly. The underpants issue is of primary concern here.”

“Why don't the Atheneum board and trustees look to the future and consider what they might do to recreate something of the enlightened and forward thinking of their eighteen th century predecessors? The present premises were built on a tight budget to the dreary and straightlaced notions of the late 50s and early 60s. Sadly they are now only up to providing chuch hall style facilities for the lesser local amateur dramatic societies. If, and now may not be quite the right time, the site could be worth a packet for development as part of someone else's grandiose scheme then the trustees could make enough to rebuilt a decent studio or larger theatre which could accomodate something more ambitious and attractive to todays and the future's thinking niche audiences.”

“It tickles me that the Athenaeum has a President Power. Does she wear her pants on the outside of her trousers?”

“We badly need an alternative cinema complex to Vue. And somewhere closer to the city centre. When Warner Village opened we were promised a wide range of films including art house and international films but it never happened. The Arts Centre and the cinema in the Levinsky building do their best but are small and can only show a few.”