WA Govt reconsiders Ledger Theatre
Western Australia's Premier Colin Barnett has confirmed the Government is
considering scrapping plans to name a new theatre in Northbridge after the late
Perth-born actor Heath Ledger.
Ledger died in a New York apartment in January aged 28.
In July, then premier Alan Carpenter stood beside the late actor's father, Kim,
and announced the performing arts venue would be called the Heath Ledger
Theatre. Mr Ledger said he was honoured and intensely proud.
But Mr Barnett says the local arts community is divided over the decision.
He says the Government is now considering alternatives.
"He was a young actor who had some great successes, and I have no doubt was
headed for an outstanding career," Mr Barnett said. "But he lost his life at a very
young age, so we never saw the true achievement that Heath Ledger may have
made."
The Opposition's Ben Wyatt says Mr Carpenter has been in touch with Ledger's
father today, who is distressed by the Government's decision.
Mr Wyatt says Mr Barnett should have told the Ledger family that theatre's
name was up for review.
"It would be in the interests of Colin, if he could actually call the family and
perhaps have a better understanding of their sensitivities and the distress that
they're under before he starts going on radio and raising this matter in a public
way," Mr Wyatt said.
"It genuinely distresses me that he [Mr Barnett] could have such callous
disregard for the Ledger family, who've got through an enormous amount of
distress over the loss of Heath," he added.
Mr Barnett says Ledger's memory will be commemorated at the theatre in
someway, it just won't necessarily be named after him.
Mr Wyatt says name should be left to stand.
The theatre is still under construction