Fresh hope for Octagon Theatre project

13 Dec 2023

Stalled plans to remodel the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil could be funded by selling off one of Somerset County Council’s commercial investments, the council's former Leader has suggested.

In October Somerset County Council put the £30m project on hold due to rising costs, saying that the current business case for the theatre's regeneration could "no longer be met" and "a revised business case would be necessary".

The Somerset County Gazette reports that the local authority, which declared a financial emergency in early November, is currently exploring ways to plug a £87m funding gap for next year – including the sale of surplus land, property and commercial investments.

During a meeting of the council's executive, former Leader David Fothergill said the sale of an energy storage facility near Taunton could be “recycled” back into the Octagon project.

The council's Deputy Leader Liz Leyshon said work to re-examine the scope and cost of the Octagon project is ongoing, with a view to the council publishing its preferred option for moving forward early in the new year.

“There is a great deal of work going at the moment in the back offices between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Arts Council England South West and our officers on the possibility of a revised option for an Octagon project that would ensure its future as a flagship venue for Somerset," she said.

“That is very delicate work and it is being pursued with all the partners, including Yeovil Town Council."

On the road again

Little Bulb company
13 Dec 2023

Rural touring is physically demanding but you get to visit the heart of places and are treated as guests of honour. Clare Beresford on the joys of rural touring.

Panel upholds National Theatre Wales's appeal over funding cut

A production shot of two actors from Petula by National Theatre Wales
12 Dec 2023

Arts Council Wales will have to reconsider the company's funding application after an independent panel found it had not followed its own procedures "fairly and transparently"

SOLT/UK Theatre to place greater focus on advocacy

SOLT and UK Theatre offices in Covent Garden
12 Dec 2023

Joint Chief Executives say restructure will see greater emphasis placed on lobbying government and funding bodies in the run up to the next general election.

Theatre project for young people with care experience launches

12 Dec 2023

A theatrical ensemble for young people with experience with the care system has launched in Scotland.

WAC Pro aims to support professional development within the arts and provide young artists with creative skills. Participants will create 10 new pieces, consisting of five theatre productions and five films, with the support of industry professionals. 

Funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, WAC Pro will offer its members a series of masterclasses, one-to-one guidance, a daily freelance rate and a budget for their productions. 

The project is a collaboration with Citizens Theatre, GMAC Film, Arts in the City and WAC Ensemble, a theatre group for people with experience of being in care. 

WAC Ensemble was formed in 2019, initially for 18-to 26-year-olds, but has evolved to support members who have aged out of the original parameters of the project.

Deni Smith, Arts and Culture Development Worker at Arts in the City, said: “All of us have creativity within us; however, there are often barriers that we face when exploring that part of ourselves – particularly if we are embarking on a career in the creative industries; and, for individuals with care experience, they can be faced additional challenges. 

“WAC Pro has been designed to alleviate some of these barriers through the package of support provided. For the Ensemble members, who each have lived experience of care, the project provides a paid opportunity to dedicate time to their creative ideas.” 

Peter Kay shows raise £80,000 for Bolton theatre

11 Dec 2023

Bolton Octagon has raised £80,000 after comedian Peter Kay performed three fundraising shows at the venue on Sunday (10 December).

Kay, who hails from Bolton, was a member of the Octagon's youth theatre and worked in the box office for around four months in the 1990s - before being "let go".

Kay thanked the audiences of the 390-seat venue for “coming and supporting a very worthy cause."

Octagon Chief Executive Roddy Gauld told the BBC the event would give the venue "a big boost" and help to keep ticket prices down.

"Running a theatre like this is tough right now," he said.

"Costs have risen, as they have for every business and every household. And as people have less money to spend, that trip to the theatre might be something that they decide to cut down on at the moment.

"So having a big draw like Peter Kay makes a massive difference."

Creative children, stronger families

Young children playing
11 Dec 2023

Ben Dickenson is on a mission to create a National Centre for Children’s Creativity. He passionately believes in the power of play to build stronger families.

Hampshire theatre in planning permission row

07 Dec 2023

A 450-seat theatre in a village in Hampshire has been told it must cease performances after it emerged it does not have planning consent from the local council.

The absence of planning permission for Titchfield Festival Theatre’s (TFT) Arden stage, which is currently hosting a pantomime, only emerged after concerns were raised about insufficient parking.

Producing over 30 community productions a year, TFT comprises multiple stages and has occupied its current site for 13 years. The registered charity receives no public subsidy and had a total income of £3,184,873 in the year ending June 2022, with an expenditure of £2,986,074.

Fareham Borough Council said the venue has only been granted permission for use as storage and that the company must stop using it as a theatre by 29 February. Titchfield Festival Theatre Limited can appeal to the Secretary of State by 29 December.

In a statement, TFT Artistic Director Kevin Fraser said: "TFT is proud that it has turned around a disused factory site that it has occupied as a theatre for over 10 years, and has spent £1.7m of their own money making it into the largest community theatre hub in Europe.

"TFT's lawyers have already contested this action by Fareham Borough Council and requested the authority to withdraw it."
 

Norwich theatre revives £5m revamp plans

06 Dec 2023

Plans to improve facilities at Norwich Theatre Playhouse are back on the table after they were previously shelved due to the Covid pandemic.

The Eastern Daily Press reports that the Norfolk venue wants to upgrade its backstage facilities and create more indoor space.

Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive and Creative Director of Norwich Theatre said: “The project is being drawn up at the moment, and we hope to be able to share more in May next year, including designs and any funding plans. 

“It is likely there will be a public appeal, as we know many people love the Playhouse and want to see it thrive."

Former church opens as arts centre after £4.5m redevelopment

06 Dec 2023

An arts centre housing a Welsh language theatre company has opened in Bangor following a £4.5m redevelopment.

Located in a renovated Grade II listed church, Nyth includes rehearsal and performance spaces, an underground cellar studio and smaller creative spaces for artist residencies. It will be the base for the Welsh language participatory theatre company Frân Wen.

The project received an investment of £1.8m from the National Lottery, administered through Arts Council of Wales, £1.2m through Cyngor Gwynedd by Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, £300,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund, £250,000 from the Community Facilities Programme, £200,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, and £172,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Gethin Evans, Frân Wen's Artistic Director, said: "This space will be a hub for young people, artists and the wider community to come together, to connect, challenge, create and share through the arts.

"Supporting young people to reach their potential is what drives us, and giving them ownership over the development of the project has led to an inspiring building in terms of design and an ambitious and progressive program of creative activity for the future."

Maggie Russell, Cadeirydd Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru said: "It’s amazing to see new life injected into this old building, and great to know that Fran Wen, a cornerstone of Welsh theatre for almost four decades, is continuing to develop and inspire young people to participate in theatre.

"Nyth will undoubtedly be an asset to the creative economy of the north-west as it provides new opportunities for those who wish to tread the boards or work backstage in the world of the theatre.”

Community campaign to reopen Somerset theatre gathers pace

05 Dec 2023

A campaign group hoping to reopen a theatre in Somerset says it has been given backing from the local community.

The BBC reports that Let's Buy The Amulet campaign recently carried out a survey to gauge public opinion on purchasing the Shepton Mallet venues, revealing that the response was "overwhelmingly positive".

The building was used as a theatre after being built in 1974 but went into private ownership in 2011. The campaign group wants it to operate as a museum, theatre, and cinema, as well as host craft markets and art workshops.

Martin Berkeley, from the campaign, said: "We would hope that some shows could still go on there, but its value is as a community centre."

The group is working on an application for funding from the government's Community Ownership Fund, which it hopes to submit in spring 2024.

 

 

 

Closing with care

Image of two dominoes
05 Dec 2023

There is a domino effect at play across the sector at the moment, with the number of closures since last year reaching double figures. No doubt there are more to come, but Emily Williams thinks it can be done humanely.

Glasgow theatre restoration gets further £382k

Statues ready to be lifted into place on the new Citizens Theatre façade in August 2023
04 Dec 2023

Work began on a complete overhaul of Citizens Theatre in 2019 after the original Victorian building was found to have significantly deteriorated.

Birmingham Hippodrome buys neighbouring office block

A Streetview image of the 11-storey office block adjacent to Bristol Hippodrome
04 Dec 2023

Theatre says current tenants will remain in building, with vacant units available for artists and cultural organisations in the city.

Temporary theatre to open in Dartford

An interior shot of the Orchard West Theatre auditorium seating
04 Dec 2023

The new theatre will host performances while refurbishment work takes place at Orchard Theatre following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Theatre and dance projects get £2m to tour Scotland

04 Dec 2023

A total of 14 theatre and dance projects have received funding to tour communities across Scotland.

Among those receiving a share of £2m National Lottery funding through Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance are Dogstar Theatre Company, based in the Scottish Highlands around Inverness, and Lyth Arts Centre, Scotland’s most northerly mainland arts centre based in Caithness.

Creative Scotland said the funding will enable a wide range of new and award-winning productions, such as modern adaptations of classic works, autobiographical pieces, musicals, physical theatre and spoken word performances, to visit small, mid and large-scale venues across 2024 and 2025. 

Paul Burns, Creative Scotland’s Interim Director of Arts, said: “We’re delighted to be announcing recipients of the seventh round of funding to support makers and programmers of some of Scotland’s best theatre and dance. 

"Featuring new and familiar names, this stellar line-up of shows is ready to hit the road and weave their magic with first-time and seasoned audiences in a whole host of settings.”  

Margate theatre in line for major restoration

29 Nov 2023

Thanet Council has revealed plans to restore and modernise Theatre Royal Margate in a bid to transform the Grade II* listed venue into a “nationally significant performing arts hub”.

Proposals put forward for public review include adding a bar and cafe, a 50-seat studio theatre and sound recording studio to the 245-year-old building, as well as rehearsal rooms, offices and accommodation for touring theatre companies.

The council is also testing the market to find a new operator from the performing arts sector for the venue.

Funding of £2.2m has been allocated to the project as part of the Margate Town Deal, but the council says significant external financing is needed. 

To raise funds, Thanet Council has applied to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a further £3.2m. It is also in conversation with Arts Council England about applying to the Department of Culture Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund, launching in 2024. 
 
Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property at the council, said: “The Theatre Royal is an important historic performance asset, and plays a key role in Margate’s leisure offering. The project to restore and relaunch it is highly ambitious, and it will not be possible without the support of other major funders, an operator with vision and resources, and the support of the community. 

“The Theatre Royal has the potential to provide employment and training opportunities for young people in performing arts and creative careers. It is a truly unique heritage stage, and I would love to see homegrown talent performing in high quality, locally made productions, as well as visiting national and international theatre productions.”

Wave of change in disabled-led theatre

Two actors on stage
29 Nov 2023

This week a trio of plays opens at Live Theatre Newcastle in which, for the first time, every show is captioned. For Vici Wreford-Sinnott, playwright and disability activist, it shows how times are changing.

New programme to support early-career theatre producers

28 Nov 2023

The League of Independent Producers (LIP) has launched a dedicated membership programme to help early career producers establish themselves in the theatre industry.

LIP's Junior Member programme offers an initial 12 months’ free membership followed by a subsidised membership for two years. Participants in the scheme will receive mentoring, professional development and access to events.

The scheme is open to new independent producers of any age in the early stages of their careers, producing work in the UK, with 36 members already onboard.

LIP board member Ameena Hamid said: “Running this programme is a real honour; I am able to be the person that I needed a little earlier in my career, and I love matchmaking people with more experienced producers that can help them face their present challenges.

“It’s a real pleasure to meet the producers that often come to us at pivotal career points and help them find their next steps. The programme is an exciting opportunity, particularly as we add more benefits for the Junior Members heading into this second year of the scheme.”
 

Royal Court creates ‘democratic’ digital archive

Four Royal Court production images showing August for the People, Seven methods of killing Kylie Jenner, Look back in anger and Blest be the tie
28 Nov 2023

Spearheaded by Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone, the Living Archive contains information on every Royal Court production.

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