ONE of Edinburgh Fringe’s most prestigious venues is embroiled in a £27,000 dispute with its former artistic director over claims of unpaid fees.
Rupert Thomson, who masterminded the debut Summerhall programme for several years, said his production firm is owed tens of thousands for his award-winning work at the venue which was credited as having “firmly cemented” its place in the arts.
Venue owner Robert McDowell strongly refutes the claims, suggesting that accounting under Mr Thomson’s tenure was “error-ridden”.
However, the former artistic director – who is now a senior figure for performance and dance at the Southbank Centre in London – said he has tried for two years to secure overdue fees and has now decided to make the debt public.
His lawyers, BBM Solicitors, have now demanded payment.
Mr Thomson said: “It is with regret that we are left with no option but to make public this long-standing debt of £27,000.
“We have been promised payment many times, but deadlines have always been passed without full payment, and no payment has been received for some time.
“This debt has now been in place for a number of years and, following inaction on the part of
Mr McDowell and Summerhall, it is the logical next step to make the matter public.”
Mr Thomson said he had been “patiently trying all professional angles to resolve this matter, including entering into an arbitration process”.
Robert McDowell, who has recently unveiled plans to purchase the old Edinburgh Sick Kids hospital and convert it into a new cultural venue, said the dispute was a personal one and should not include his Summerhall venue.
In a statement, Mr McDowell said: “The claims cover four to five years and many grey areas and I cannot accept the matter is simple or clear.
“Equally, I find it hard to give credence to his self-image as hard done by or as the victim in this, not at all. Working with me, Rupert took full professional advantage of generosity and trust in a partnership I believed was not about money. He is now seeking legal redress, not for the first time, and
I do not believe this is worthy of a public airing or in the public interest.”
He added: “Seems to me far better to await the outcome of what lawyers or a court advise or decide is equitable and proper.
“It is always sad and disappointing when a great partnership and friendship is traduced in this way.”
Mr Thomson said he had also entered into an "arbitration process, and have had formal expressions of concern from Creative Scotland, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, and the Federation of Scottish Theatre, among others.
"This debt represents payments owed for services provided, as well as substantial fees paid on behalf of Summerhall ...including Fringe performer registration fees and a large utility bill payment for the venue."
Mr Thomson said that “repeated calls to settle the debt have been ignored. As a small independent company it has been difficult to work without this money that we are due.
“It is hugely disappointing to have reached this stage.
“We worked enormously hard at Summerhall for the venue and on behalf of the artists performing there, and believe we had a vital role in the establishment of the venue’s track record in the performing arts.
A spokesman for Summerhall venue said: “We established last year that this is a private matter between Mr Thomson and Mr McDowell and as such feel it would be inappropriate to comment.”
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