Theatre asks for help over funding fears
A restored Regency theatre, which could be heading towards a funding crisis, is appealing for help.
The Theatre Royal, in Bury St Edmunds, is calling on its supporters to dig deep and contribute to running costs.
In a letter sent to its supporters, the theatre invites them to a reception to celebrate the theatre's work since its reopening in 2007, while also outlining its patron's scheme, ways of supporting the theatre's ongoing costs and asking guests to point the theatre in the direction of other individuals who might give financial support.
The move was prompted by a request from the Government for the theatre to make a submission to its investigation into arts and heritage funding.
As it stands, funding levels for 2011/12 and subsequent years will see a reduced level of public subsidy going into the arts. The Theatre Royal currently has a public subsidy of 20 per cent of turnover, compared to an average level of subsidy for theatres in this region of 43 per cent.
Chris Grady, head of external relations, said the theatre's total funding package was slightly less than the amount it returned to the treasury by way of VAT and other statutory contributions making it, in effect, a contributor to the public purse.
"We are at a critical point with regard the future security of the arts in general and the Theatre Royal in particular," he said.
"We wish to protect the phenomenal achievement of the restoration and our recent past and also to encourage the further development of our organisation's creative work. But the threats to our future security are uncomfortably real."
He added that he hoped the reception would establish a future with a solid base to protect the theatre from political decision making.
"We would love to feel that we could get on with doing what we do best. Every moment we spend drawing up another budget or contingency plan is time spent not doing what we want to be doing," said Mr Grady.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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