"I didn't realise that the success of Sidmouth was entirely down to you, Joan, I do apologise most humbly."

Well, in terms of the financial turnaround I had rather a lot to do with it, yes. Tight budgetary control - that was the production and the artistic directors working together. Reducing the artistic budget by £30k and still delivering a strong artistic programme: that was my responsibility. A turnaround in performance of the Bulverton: achieved through reduced costs and more ambitious programming. Increased ticket sales across the programme: that was one of my targets. Increased fundraising: the Board, but I brought in some sponsorship as well.



"certainly the town wasn't as full as in many years past"

We must have attended different festivals. The town was rammed. You couldn't get accomodation for love nor money, and the ticket sales revenue increased substantially.


"In fact, since the new team took over from Steve Heap and had that first very successful year, it hasn't been the same..."

No. That'll be because there's no longer an arena holding many thousands of people. Sidmouth is over 50 years old. The Mrs Casey years were one phase of its life. This is another. It's been through a fair few. Hopefully with the way we're currently working, the future will be secured so that it has many more years to come.