The Theatres Trust has announced its fifth round of small capital grants to theatres across the nation, with the Isle of Wight’s Shanklin Theatre among them.
The Grade II listed theatre, owned and managed by the Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust, has been selected to receive £5,000 towards its ‘Fly tower stabilisation’ project to repair the brickwork of its fly-tower.
The Trust was established in 2010 by local supporters to take over the management of the theatre when the Isle of Wight Council wanted to relinquish control. The building originally opened in 1879 as the Shanklin Institute.
The auditorium seats 615 and the Friends of Shanklin Theatre provide volunteers to support staff to run and manage the theatre. As a touring house, it programmes professional and amateur productions, and hosts a children’s stage school, the Isle of Wight Dance Festival and workshops for school parties.
Chris Quirk, Chairman of the Shanklin Theatre & Community Trust has said:
“Shanklin Theatre is the only theatre left on the Island with a fly tower, a high tower above the stage to allow curtains and scenery to be raised out of sight.
“But after eighty years of vibration and heavy loading the brickwork of the fly tower needs attention. The grant from the Theatre’s Trust is enabling us to address this, extending the already extensive restoration programme for the Theatre.
“Our next major project is restoration of the Windows, and donations to support this can be made on our website”.
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Mhora Samuel, Director of The Theatres Trust said:
“I’m delighted that we are able to help five more theatres with small grants from the Theatres Protection Fund. The support we receive from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and Judy Craymer MBE towards our Small Grants Scheme is once again making a real difference to these theatres.”
The Trust’s Small Grants Scheme helps theatres in need and at risk address urgent building repairs, improve their operational viability, introduce environmental improvements, and enhance physical accessibility.
Trustees of The Theatres Trust will meet again in December 2014 to consider further Small Grants Scheme awards.
