Theatre

A group trying to buy a run-down theatre from a local authority is nearing its fundraising target.

The BBC reports the Save Novello Picture House campaign has raised £250,000 so far, including a £100,000 anonymous donation. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) gave the group until the end of October to raise £300,000 to buy the venue in the village of Sunninghill.

A  spokesperson for Save Novello Picture House said it is also in talks with actor Sir Kenneth Branagh, who is from nearby Reading, about the campaign and its future plans for the theatre.

Campaign Co-ordinator Alan Everett said local donors had provided vital support."It is thanks to this solid foundation that we are confident we will meet RBWM’s asking price of £300,000," he said.

"We also spent a productive hour on the phone with the ever-helpful Sir Kenneth Branagh who offered guidance that accelerated the next steps of our campaign and will further hone down the future vision and offering of the Novello."

Citizens Theatre in Glasgow has secured an extra £2m towards an ongoing refurbishment of the B-listed Victorian venue, the cost of which has spiralled from an initial £23m in 2018 to an estimated £30m.

On 20 June, Glasgow City Council, which had already contributed £6m to the project, agreed to pledge an additional £2m to help complete the works. 

The money, financed through Scotland’s Common Good Fund, which protects historic properties that benefit local people, will be released only after Citizens Theatre Ltd, which leases the venue, has secured additional funding.

Heritage Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland, and the Scottish Government have also contributed to the revamp of the 140-year-old council-owned building.

During a committee meeting, Councillor Ricky Bell said that without the extra money, the theatre would “struggle to reopen”.

The meeting was also told that the final cost can't be revealed due to commercial negotiations.
 
A council spokesperson said: "Whilst it is unlikely that this £2 million alone is enough to complete the project, positive discussions are ongoing with the UK and Scottish Governments to secure a total funding package within which a commercial settlement can be reached with the contractor and enable the theatre to be completed around December 20 this year."

A Citizens Theatre spokesperson said: “Today’s pledge of an additional £2 million funding support from Glasgow City Council is a significant contribution to the completion of the Citizens Theatre redevelopment. It was recognised that the theatre plays a vital part in Glasgow’s cultural offer and benefits communities across the city. 

"We are hugely appreciative of the council’s support during challenging times for public funding. Their leadership allows us to continue our conversations with the Scottish Government and other funders to secure the final package of funding required to complete construction works by the end of the year.”
 

The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, which closed in September 2023 after reinforced autoclaved aerated (RAAC) concrete was discovered on its roof, has announced it will not reopen until 2025.

A spokesperson for the theatre said that, despite the roof replacement “progressing well,” the delay was due to ongoing reinstatement of technical equipment and renovations to improve the audience’s experience being undertaken while the building is closed .

The work had been expected to be completed by autumn 2024.

After the theatre closed last year, Dartford Borough Council and operators Trafalgar Theatres opened a temporary venue nearby called The Orchard West.

The spokesperson said some upcoming shows would transfer to Orchard West, while others may be rescheduled or cancelled.

Work by a theatre company for learning-disabled perfromers is providng them with benefits offstage as well as on, a study has found

Winchester-based Blue Apple Theatre commissioned a study from Dr Rachel Harrison, a Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care at the University of Winchester, to look at the impact of its work with people with learning disabilities.   

The study found that taking part in Blue Apple’s sessions and performances had many ongoing benefits for the participants by improving their emotional wellbeing and self-confidence.  

“Blue Apple hadn’t realised that what participants valued above everything else were the relationships that they formed when they came to the group,” said Dr Harrison. 

“Being accepted for who you are and being part of a group is so important.”  

Coming to Blue Apple gave participants a unique place where their views and opinions were always listened to and considered, she said.

Interviews also revealed that the skills participants learned for shows helped them in ordinary life, boosting confidence and self-esteem.  

“People told me about being able to speak more clearly because they had learned to project their voice,” said Dr Harrison. “This has given people confidence. One person said 'I can go shopping now because people can understand what I say’.”  

Others told Dr Harrison their maths skills had improved thanks to being involved in musical numbers where they had to count the beats to keep in time.  

Blue Apple’s Artistic Director Richard Conlon said: “Although we see for ourselves the development and growth of wellbeing and confidence in specific individuals, it is reassuring to have that view validated externally.  

"We are also very pleased that we can use these insights to track change in our how participants feel about their experiences at Blue Apple so that we can respond, change and grow to meet their needs.” 

An anonymous donor has pledged £100,000 towards saving a run-down theatre in Berkshire.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has said £300,000 is needed to buy the Novelle Theatre in Sunninghill and has given campaigners until October to raise the funds.

A group of campaigners, Save Novello Picture House, have been leading efforts to save the theatre. They hope to restore the building and link it with neighbouring Cordes Hall, under a single charity.

Campaign coordinator Alan Everett told the BBC the “very generous donation” is “the best start we could have hoped for”.

The 100-year theatre has been listed as an Asset of Community Value, meaning local groups are given first refusal before it can be put on the open market. If the required funds are not raised, the building will be marketed for commercial development.