Eight theatres are to benefit from grants under the Theatres Trust Theatre Improvement Scheme for works that will see a reduction in the environmental impact of their buildings.
£120,000 has been awarded for this initiative, made possible by the Trust's partnership with the Wolfson Foundation; Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, said, "working with the Wolfson Foundation, we continue our focus on the long-term environmental sustainability of theatres, a major priority for the sector. The challenge of taking a theatre and making it fit for purpose in the context of the climate emergency is huge but these projects represent the type of small, practical and impactful projects every size and age of theatre should consider on the path to sustainability."
The eight venues are:
- Dundee Rep Theatre, which receives £16,940 to install energy efficient houselights and reduce operating costs.
- Oxford Playhouse, which receives £20,000 to install secondary glazing to reduce heat loss / energy consumption as part of a wider decarbonisation programme
- The Courtyard, Hereford, which receives £12,126 to install more solar panels.
- The Customs House, South Shields, which receives £16,520 to upgrade the current Building Energy Management System, reducing carbon emissions and gas usage.
- The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, which receives £20,000 to replace houselights and remaining fluorescent lighting to see energy savings of up to 60%.
- The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, which receives £11,219 for a range of adaptations to reduce energy and water consumption.
- Theatre Royal Winchester, which receives £20,000 for an LED upgrade throughout the building for greater energy efficiency.
- Wilton’s Music Hall, which receives £3,195 for a new electric water heater leading to a reduction in energy consumption.
This round of funding comes on top of last month's awards given in partnership with The Linbury Trust, which saw £58,060 go to 13 not-for-profit theatres under its Small Grants Programme for improvements to accessibility and sustainability.
- Brookside Theatre Romford receives £4,782 to provide better access particularly for wheelchair users.
- Citizens Theatre Glasgow receives £5,000 for a Changing Places toilet, part of its major redevelopment.
- Omnibus Theatre London receives £5,000 for an air conditioning and heating unit for greater energy efficiency and cost savings.
- Dolman Theatre Newport receives £4,000 for additional security following an increase in vandalism in the immediate area.
- The Garage Norwich receives £5,000 for urgent repairs to the flat roof.
- Hackney Empire London receives £5,000 for urgent roof repairs prior to the installation of solar panels.
- Liverpool’s Royal Court receives £5,000 for devices to enable people with hearing and visual impairments to access main house and studio theatre productions.
- The Old Library Bodmin receives £4,155 for roof insulation works.
- Robin Hood Theatre Newark receives £3,039 to fund essential repairs to the flat roof.
- Seven Dials Playhouse London receives £5,000 to improve accessibility.
- Sheppey Little Theatre receives £2,084 for the installation of emergency lighting.
- Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds receives £5,000 to replace lighting.
- Warminster Athenaeum receives £5,000 to update ventilation systems for cost saving and COVID safety.
This year saw ten more venues added to the Theatres at Risk Register, bringing the total to 41. This exponential rise results from the financial pressure on local authorities and building operators following the pandemic lockdowns.
The next round of the Theatre Improvement Scheme is open for applications until 6 September; grants of up to £20,000 are given for projects to improve theatres’ sustainability.
The next round of the Small Grants Programme is open for applications until 3 May.