The oldest working theatre in the country is launching a fundraising appeal to try to save the two hundred and twenty five year old venue from closure.
Richmond's famous Georgian Theatre Royal celebrates three major milestones this year but is finding it tough in the current economic climate. Bosses are now hoping donors will help secure its future:
The oldest working theatre in the UK is launching a fundraising appeal to try to save the venue from closure.
The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, North Yorkshire, dates back to 1788.
Like many arts organisations, it is facing a challenging time as funds are cut.
This year the theatre celebrates a trio of anniversaries and has decided to set a target to raise £122,500 from donations to help it stay as a performance venue.
The theatre first opened 225 years ago. It is 50 years since its re-opening after the doors closed for more than a century, and this year also marks the tenth anniversary since the theatre was fully restored in a one million pound makeover.
Its supporters say its survival is vital to the local community.
Malcolm Bryant, Chairman for the Theatre said: "Everyone is aware that this is currently a challenging time for the Arts organisations. ..
This is particularly so for the Georgian Theatre Royal, which, in addition to its artistic programme makes a major contribution to tourism, young people and the wider community. The Triple Anniversary Appeal will support all our activities and allow us to educate and entertain."
The chairman of Britain's oldest working theatre is appealing to the public to help safeguard its future.
Launching the Georgian Theatre Royal Triple Anniversary Appeal to raise more than £100,000 Malcolm Bryant said,
– Malcolm Bryant, Chairman of the Georgian Theatre Royal"Everyone is aware that this is currently a challenging time for Arts organisations. This is particularly so for the unique Georgian Theatre Royal which in addition to its artistic programme makes a major contribution to tourism, young people and the wider community. The Triple Anniversary Appeal will support all our activities and allow us to continue to educate and entertain. To reach the target, the Georgian Theatre Royal needs local and national patrons to support the appeal and donate to enable this extraordinary Theatre to survive and flourish."
The theatre in Richmond, North Yorkshire, originally opened in 1788.
Britain's oldest working theatre is launching an appeal to secure financial support for the future.
The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond needs more than 100 thousand pounds in donations to help it develop more learning facilities.
It is 225 years since the theatre was first built in 1788, 50 years since it re-opened in 1963 and 10 years since the theatre was fully restored in 2003.
Six young writers who have penned their own plays will have them performed by Live Theatre today.
The 13 and 14-year-olds, from Benfield High School in Walkergate, have been working with Live Theatre in a year long writing programme which gives teenagers a voice through theatre.
The playwrights are then supported by professional 'dramaturgs' to produce short plays which will be performed for the first time today.
– Phil Hoffman, Drama Worker at Live Theatre"From thriller to comedy, love story to action adventure, these plays by the six young writers are varied and insightful.
"We are delighted to be working with Benfield High School on this year long project which demonstrates Live Theatre's commitment to developing and nurturing new writing in the region."
The plays to be performed today include:
– Mandy Tudor, Head of English at Benfield School"This has been a fantastic collaboration. The pupils involved found the whole experience inspiring, thought-provoking and enjoyable.
"It has been an unforgettable project which has also improved the quality of their creative writing skills in the classroom."
– Robyn Merrilees"I loved working with the dramaturg because she was a writer of mystery stories too.
"It was great to see my writing develop from the initial first ideas into a complete script."
Two Tyneside writers, Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood, are taking a play about Grace Darling on a tour of the North East. She is the Northumberland woman who rescued shipwrecked survivors in a rowing boat despite rough seas.
The 'Amazing Grace' tour starts on October 17th, travelling from Berwick to Hartlepool. It isn't a straight forward play though. It's about an actress playing the heroine.
He's been rated among the best stand up comedians in the country and he hails from Cramlington in Northumberland. Ross Noble is back in the North East testing out material for his first tour in two years.
Gerry Foley talks to the star of 'A Walk-On Part', the stage version of Chris Mullin's political diaries.
Read the full story
TV comic Michael McIntyre has been confirmed to play Middlesbrough Town Hall on Friday 6 July. He will try out new material from his 'Work in Progress' show before his third UK arena tour. Tickets go on sale at the Town Hall Box Office at 1pm this Friday.
