Islington's Little Angel Theatre started life as a derelict temperance hall which was transformed some fifty years ago into a theatre for presenting marionette shows to children and it has been thrilling family audiences ever since.
The Theatre has raised over £26,000 so far in its Restoration SOS Capital Campaign, but £60,000 needs to be raised by the end of June to complete the project.
Green Wing actor Stephen Mangan, a regular visitor to the theatre with his two young boys, is supporting the Restoration SOS Campaign which aims to fund essential works including repairs to the roof and brickwork, replacing the boiler and providing insulation, and installing an induction hearing loop in the auditorium.
He said, "I love the Little Angel Theatre. My kids are too young to go and see West End plays but they can come here and watch some of the best puppetry in the world. I enjoy the shows as much as them!
"The building itself is the perfect size. You see it in my kids—as soon as you walk in here you feel excited, something is going to happen, you are going to see something out of the ordinary.
"We are not trying to raise a huge amount in the grand scheme of things… It's £60,000 to fix the roof, replace the boiler, some really essential stuff. It is so important that places like this exist and are allowed to do the work they want to do, as well as they can do it.
"If Little Angel Theatre didn't exist it would leave a huge hole. There are dozens of multiplex cinemas, every house has 2-3 TVs in it, but places like this are really rare and need to be looked after. My children can come here and have an experience they can't get anywhere else."
The hundred-seat theatre remains one of only three building-based puppet theatres in England and, since its inception, its work has expanded to include puppet theatre for adults, a schools education programme and a centre for professional development and training.
A video featuring Stephen Mangan is on the Little Angel web site. Donations can be made via the Little Angel Theatre site, via the box office (020 7226 1787) or in person.