In response to the swingeing cuts made to arts funding by hard-pressed councils, actors union Equity, theatre publication The Stage and theatre trade association the Theatrical Management Association (TMA), have come together to launch a campaign of support for local theatres by their audiences.
My Theatre Matters! is a nationwide campaign where the public are helped through the web site to lobby politicians and influence funding decision makers, and to show their support for their local theatre. The campaign may also be followed on Twitter and Facebook, and will be promoted via curtain call speeches and theatre programmes.
Editor of The Stage, Brian Attwood, said “Many theatres are facing reductions, and in some cases complete cuts, in support from their local authorities. It is the single biggest threat currently facing our industry.
"One need only look to see what has happened in Taunton, Sheffield, Newcastle and even in Westminster to see that this is a national problem, facing theatres up and down the country.
"We need to show that theatres aren’t an easy target, but are public services that are really valued by their audiences.”
Actor and director Sam West said that the campaign had some 15,000 followers on Twitter after only two days and commented, "Whether for plays, films, gigs, exhibitions, classes or just coffee our local theatres are hubs of the community. Shout loud about them and they will flourish."
The Independent Theatre Council, Creu Cymru, Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, Theatres Trust, Dance UK and the Society of London Theatre are amongst those who have come out in support of the My Theatre Matters! campaign which is sponsored by John Good and Cog Design.
For more information or to support this initiative visit www.mytheatrematters.com.