Perth’s new arts centre snubs Heath Ledger’s name

The new arts centre in Perth, which had been promised to be named after late Aussie actor Heath Ledger, will no longer be named after him.

According to Culture and Arts Minister John Day, the centre in Northbridge will now be called the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, with a theatre within it named after Ledger, reports PerthNow.

Former premier Alan Carpenter had announced Ledger’s name at the theatre construction site less than six months ago, with the late actor’s father, Kim Ledger, standing by his side.

But premier Colin Barnett said in October he was reconsidering the name announced by his predecessor, and on December 12 announced that the 575-seat main theatre within the complex will be named the Heath Ledger Theatre.

“A great deal of consideration has been given to the name of the venue and this has involved consultation with the Ledger family, which is pleased Heath is being acknowledged in this way, and a range of stakeholders,” News.com.au quoted him as saying.

“The name, State Theatre Centre, strongly identifies the venue as a place of civic pride for all Western Australians and will be a venue where audiences can enjoy high-quality performing arts by local, national and international artists,” he added.

Opposition arts spokesman Ben Wyatt said WA had lost a great opportunity to put Perth on the world map.

“Naming (it) after Heath Ledger would have given (it) an international position, an international reputation and a much better chance to attract the international talents to Western Australia,” Wyatt stated. (ANI)

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