Grants of more than £69,000 have been awarded by Theatres Trust to fourteen venues.
This support from the first round of funding from its Small Grants Programme will be used for small capital works facilitating a return to operations post-pandemic:
- Digital infrastructure works: Lyric Theatre Hammersmith (London) which has a Grade II listed Frank Matcham auditorium, and mid-scale venue Brecon's Theatr Brycheiniog.
- Access improvements: Worcestershire's Malvern Theatres studio extension, converted Victorian Methodist Mission Hall Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield, converted Primitive Methodist Chapel Pateley Playhouse Harrogate, Stanley Arts London, Tower Theatre Folkestone and Worcester Swan.
- Improvements to heating systems (for sustainability and to lower running costs): Stockport's Romiley Little Theatre and Grade II* listed church conversion Trinity Theatre Tunbridge Wells.
- Essential repairs: Grade II listed Georgian theatre Angles Theatre Wisbech, 2020 London Pub Theatre of the Year Finborough Theatre, Grade II listed converted Georgian stable block Stables Theatre Hastings and independent community theatre Theatro Technis London.
Director of Theatres Trust Jon Morgan said, "there will be tough times ahead for theatres following the worst year in living memory for the sector, so we are pleased to be able to support these treasured theatres to make positive changes that will help them thrive."
The Small Grants Programme is supported by The Linbury Trust, with donations from Judy Craymer CBE and Charles Michael Holloway Charitable Trust.
The window for applying for the second round of the Small Grants Programme is open until 8 November. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for not-for-profit theatres.