Despite tough financial times, the number of theatres classed as ‘at risk’ fell from 82 in 2009 to 55 this year, according to The Theatres Trust’s 2010 Theatre Buildings at Risk register. Although 14 new buildings, including the Glasgow Coliseum and the Ramshorn Theatre (also in Glasgow) were added to the list this year, a total of 40 have been removed, including the Opera House in Blackpool and Portsmouth Theatre Royal. The register highlights which of the UK’s 2,000 theatres face threats from demolition, neglect, adverse local development, funding cuts or closure. The Theatres Trust is “deeply concerned” that the number of theatres at risk will grow over the next year. The encouraging news from England (where the number of at risk theatres has almost halved) is not mirrored in Scotland: three new theatres are now considered to be at risk. In Wales, the number fell from seven to five (although two were added) and Northern Ireland has no theatres on the list.
