Fifth Round of Small Grants Announced by the Theatres Trust

LONDON, August 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

The Theatres Trust is pleased to announce its fifth round of small capital grants to theatres across the nation. Among the five successful theatres in this round are the Grade II* listed Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells and the community-owned Shanklin Theatre on the Isle of Wight.

Small Capital Grants have been awarded to:

Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight: This Grade II listed theatre receives £5,000 towards its 'Fly tower stabilisation' project to repair the brickwork of its fly-tower.

Theatre Royal Stratford East, London: This Grade II* listed East London theatre by J.G. Buddle, and later refurbished by Frank Matcham, receives £5,000 towards its 'Repair the stage curtain' project to clean and mend the fabric of its trompe l'oeil curtain.

Players Theatre, Thame: Its 'Building A Better Theatre' project receives £5,000 to install a flexible and moveable stage wall system to improve the size and flexibility of its stage and enable it to complete its stage refurbishment.

Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells: This Grade II* listed converted church receives £5,000 towards its 'Repair work to the exterior of the sandstone theatre' project to fix underlying issues on its east wall.

Blackpool Grand Theatre: This Grade II* listed theatre, by Frank Matcham, receives £4,850 towards its 'Refurbishment of carved side entrance doors' project to repair and repaint the accessible doors of the Grand Theatre as part of its 120th Birthday celebrations.

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 making a real difference to 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.

Full text see Notes to Editors