A ROW has broken out over the rates Leasowes Community College is charging for the use of its community theatre.

Price hikes have forced Halesowen based Mayhem Theatre Group to look elsewhere after being quoted £2,000 to use the theatre for a week.

Mark Moran, from Mayhem Theatre Group, blasted the price as ‘totally unrealistic’ and believes the cost will prevent local groups from using the Kent Road theatre.

He said: “I am disgusted and amazed at the actions of Leasowes finance manager and the governors, for approving their extortionate price increase for local people to use the community theatre.

“We received the final invoice for our week’s hire of Leasowes theatre and were astonished to see it had gone up from £1,100 last year, a sum we considered at the time, to be unrealistic as there are broken seats and other problems, to just over £2000 for the week this year.

“Taking into account that this did not include PA system, as the one in the theatre does not work, the price is totally unrealisitc.”

The group have decided to switch venue for their forthcoming production of Hi-Di-Hi to the community theatre at The Thorns Community College in Quarry Bank.

“We are not the only people who are complaining about this shortsighted price hike by the school and I worry that nobody will be using it soon.”

Leasowes Community College recently advertised for a new principal who will be paid upto £82,238 and will begin work in April next year.

No-one was available for comment from Leasowes Community College concerning the theatre.