Congratulations to our local regional theatres for the grants they have been awarded by the Culture Recovery Fund.
The Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells – £271,500
Chequer Mead Arts & Community Trust, East Grinstead – £73,525
Eastbourne’s Devonshire Quarter – £1,800,000, split between the theatres, conference centre and sporting venue.
The Hawth Crawley – part of £620,000
Worthing Theatres and Museum – £98,398
But before we get too excited, we acknowledge that although this helps, it is not enough to secure the future of our wonderful local venues. The pandemic has hit them hard, now they need help to recover.
For the foreseeable future, to make your evening at the theatre Covid-secure, productions cannot run at full capacity which makes it difficult to make a profit, they need every seat sold.
It is not just the buildings that need upkeep and all the staff the theatre employs, the price of your ticket will also help the theatremakers, those who make your evening magical, on the stage and behind the scenes. The pandemic has hit them hard, and many have not been able to secure government help.
So when you think theatre prices are a bit steep, remember all those who benefit and if you have missed the arts, now is the time to support them. To buy tickets is the best way to keep live entertainment possible.
We have some wonderful venues in the South East. Take a look through their programmes and transport yourself into the world of theatre once more.
See you there
Sammi xx