Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company closing 

Derry’s Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company has announced it is closing.

It described the situation as “a catastrophic loss for the arts in the northwest which will impact widely throughout the island and across Europe”.

The company, which recently has its Arts Council funding withdrawn, made its imminent closure public in a social media post on Friday.

“It has been a while since our last update and we have been putting this off as long as possible in case there would be any late developments,” said an Echo Echo spokesperson.

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“It is with great regret and very heavy hearts that Echo Echo Studios will be closing on Tuesday, September 30,” they added.

“This is a catastrophic loss for the arts in the northwest which will impact widely throughout the island and across Europe. We know that most of you will be as devastated as we are.

"Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company will lose its wonderful purpose-refurbished home building, our three full-time staff will lose their jobs, and the company’s ensemble artists and associate artists will lose a principal source of earnings and the space where much of their work took place.

"The city will lose beautiful spaces for a multitude of artistic activities from rehearsals, performances, concerts, exhibitions and classes for all ages and abilities. Many people have told us and written that they have had some of the most impactful moments of their lives taking part in projects, watching performances or making work in this place.

"Since we last updated you about the company’s funding appeal being rejected in July, we have been working diligently behind the scenes to find a way to save the company and building. Echo Echo has submitted a detailed complaint about the circumstances around the company’s sudden funding cut to the NI Public Services Ombudsman. This complaint has been accepted into the system however the process can take another 6 months or more to be completed.

"The company has met with politicians, civil servants and regularly with local council officers to find a way to Save Echo Echo Studios but ultimately it has not been possible. This is despite unanimous cross-party political support from MPs, MLAs and Councillors, including some who really engaged with us in depth throughout the summer. We thank them all for their time and attention.

"We want to thank all of our audiences, friends and colleagues, from near and far, for the incredible support that you have given to us in recent months – especially people who donated so generously to the #SaveEchoEcho crowdfunder and who wrote letters of support. We have been genuinely humbled by the stories of the impact of Echo Echo’s work on so many.

"The crowdfunder donations totalled £18,576 and meant that the company could keep going long enough to submit the formal complaint, pay all its debts, and ensure that we have done everything possible to save the building, and finally to exit in an orderly manner.

"We would like to thank our landlords at Waterloo House for their support and understanding, and we offer special thanks to our colleagues at In Your Space Circus and Studio2 who have been wonderful.

"We also offer our sincere thanks to all of the company’s funders and supporters over the years.

"And finally, thank you to all of the dedicated Echo Echo team — directors, staff, ensemble artists, associate artists, and others — who have continued to work under the most difficult circumstances.

"Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company will continue to exist in a much smaller form and we look forward to dancing with you again sometime soon."

The  closure announcement was met with overwhelming sadness and anger.

One commentator said: "It is truly sickening that the Belfast-centric bureaucrats of ACNI have enabled the further decimation of the Arts sector in Derry. Last year it was the Waterside Theatre, this year Echo Echo. The burning questions that should be at the forefront of everyone's minds are these: 'Why are they being allowed to continue?'; 'Who is next?'; and Why have they been able to ensure that the vast majority of ACNI funds  in particular 80+% of their Annual Funding Programme) are given, year after year, to Belfast based organisations?'"

Another wrote: "It's absolutely disgusting that Echo Echo has been treated this way and forced into such a depressing and stressful decision. The entire community is poorer for the loss of such an important cultural resource. I'm sad and appalled, and I sincerely hope the Ombudsman puts a rocket up the arse of whoever decided to cut the funding. It's utterly nonsensical."

While a third said: "Dear Steve, Ailbhe and Echo Echo team, all my sad condolences . Thank you for your work and generosity . Sending future blessings."