National theatres set to play on with funding boost

More than a dozen national entertainment venues are set to play on after securing financial support.

Theatres Trust has awarded grants totalling £88,000 to 13 theatres across England, Scotland and Wales.

Bosses say the cash will “support theatres of all sizes to carry out small, practical projects that will help them thrive in the future”.

The backing has been delivered through the Small Grants Programme, which is supported by The Linbury Trust.

Venues to benefit from the funding tranche include the 2000-capacity Grimsby Auditorium, which is set to install a portable wheelchair lift, and London’s 50-seat Lower Marsh Arts Club, which is embarking on a rewiring and lighting upgrade.

Other theatres to have received support include Everyman Theatre, in Cheltenham; the National Youth Theatre’s Workshop Theatre, in London; and The North Wall Arts Centre, in Oxford, which are set to use the cash to improve buildings’ accessibility.

Funding will also support energy-saving moves at Poynton Players Theatre, in Cheshire; Merlin Theatre, in Frome; The Lace Market Theatre, in Nottingham; The Seagull Theatre, in Lowestoft; The Witham, in Barnard Castle, County Durham; and Kirkintilloch’s Turret Theatre.

Elsewhere, National Dance Company Wales has been backed to upgrade front-of-house toilets at The Dance House, with South London Theatre set to install new wireless networking equipment.

Joshua McTaggart, Theatres Trust chief executive, said: “The impact of this funding will be felt right across the sector.

“We are delighted to support theatres working to secure inclusive, sustainable and viable futures.”

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