The people of Derry are being asked to name a new £13 million theatre because calling it after the city is too politically contentious. The theatre trust's chairperson, SDLP Assembly representative Ms Annie Courtney, said she and her fellow trustees immediately ruled out calling the theatre either the Derry or Londonderry Theatre.
"We want a neutral name, one which all members of the public can associate with. There was enough trouble years ago over the city's name change and we want to avoid a repetition of that", she said.
So far, five names have emerged as favourites for the theatre, which will be completed in Sept ember: the Maiden, the Oak, the Acorn, the Exchange and the Quay theatre. "The front runner is probably the Maiden Theatre." Derry is sometimes called "the maiden city".
However, local playwright Eddie Kerr said he would prefer to have the theatre called the Millennium Theatre.
"It's healthy to have a good debate about the name, but it was built for the Millennium, most people thought it was going to be called the Millennium Theatre and why change that? "The name is very important. I've heard suggestions it should be called the What's That Theatre, the Back of the Wall Theatre, the White Elephant Theatre.
The North's Minister for Regional Development, Mr Gregory Campbell (DUP), also a member of Derry City Council, said: "The name must not be offensive to anyone in the community. Most people in Londonderry want a name that gives them a sense of belonging and one which is part of the fabric of the city. It must not be divisive in any way.
"We don't want to have a beautiful theatre which will be a jewel in the crown in terms of the arts and culture being involved in a name row. If the wrong name is chosen there could be a difficulty in attracting people to it", he said.