Coventry’s Belgrade has extended its Give the Gift of Theatre campaign so that more families facing financial hardship can enjoy its panto Jack and the Beanstalk.
Money raised from the campaign will also help fund a broadcast of the show to hospitals, hospices and nursing homes.
The Belgrade’s Give the Gift of Theatre campaign aims to provide 300 people, referred through Coventry Foodbank, with tickets to a panto performance.
Joanna Reid, the Belgrade’s executive director, says, “This Christmas we want to be able to offer people facing the most challenging circumstances a break and to spend some quality time together as a family without having to worry about how to pay for it.”
The Belgrade has provided the tickets for half their usual price but it needs £2,325 to fund the tickets as well as the £5,000 it will cost to record and stream the performance of Jack and the Beanstalk.
David Jane, the Belgrade’s development director, explains, “The campaign has got off to a great start with over £4,100 raised by local businesses and individuals in the first few weeks alone.
“But we’re asking the public to help raise a further £3,200 to enable those who will be spending the festive period in a hospital, hospice or nursing home to see a broadcast of the production via the Internet.”
Donations can be made at the Belgrade’s web site.