The Theatres Trust’s Small Grants Scheme helps theatres across the nation which are in need and at risk to address urgent building repairs, improve their operational viability, introduce environmental improvements and enhance physical accessibility.
The Trustees have now announced the fourth tranche of awards in this scheme which go to five theatres. All are community theatres and they each receive £5,000 for projects that will make important capital improvements. In addition to the award to Alnwick Playhouse they are:
- Beccles Public Hall & Theatre: This community-owned and volunteer-run venue receives £5,000 towards an ‘Improving Access to the Stage’ project, removing part of a side wall to give better access to the stage, and remedial works to remodel the roof as part of a larger programme of renovation and improvement works.
- Hoxton Hall, London: This rare Grade II* listed music hall in Hackney, East London, one of the rarest surviving, receives £5,000 towards its ‘Conservation, Restoration and Modernisation’ project to carry out structural and strengthening works to its upper balcony which will enable it to create four new and accessible performance formats.
- Tara Arts: London’s first Asian-led theatre, based in Wandsworth, receives £5,000 towards the installation of a set of internal double-leaf, fire-proof acoustic doors for its new auditorium as part of the ‘Tara Theatre Renovation Project’.
- Yvonne Arnaud Theatre: Guildford’s Grade II listed theatre receives £5,000 towards the ‘Refurbishment and Installation of Automatic Sliding Doors’ to improve accessibility through upgrading the main entrance to the theatre and the entrance to the auditorium.
On announcing the awards, Rob Dickins CBE, Chair of The Theatres Trust, said: “With the support of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and Judy Craymer MBE so far we have been able to fund 22 projects.
"The Hackney Empire’s roof is now buddleia free, the Soho Theatre has an excellent new front door, and Wales’s Builth Wells Wyeside Arts Centre is now thankfully watertight.
"Through the Theatres Protection Fund we have made a real contribution to the maintenance of theatres ensuring they are safe and secure for audiences to enjoy.”
Trustees of The Theatres Trust will meet again in June 2014 to consider further Small Grants Scheme awards.