First Grants Announced by Theatres Trust From its Theatres Protection Fund

LONDON, October 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The Royal Court in Liverpool, Sleaford Playhouse, Oldham Coliseum, and Wilton's Music Hall, the Half Moon Young People's Theatre and the Soho Theatre in London are the first theatres to benefit from grants awarded by Trust's new Theatres Protection Fund Small Grants Scheme.

The Scheme helps theatres address urgent building repairs, improve their operational viability, introduce environmental improvements, and enhance physical accessibility.

The Grade II Art Deco Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool receives £5,000 towards the replacement of its Safety Curtain.

Soho Theatre receives £5,000 towards the replacement of its front doors to improve the physical access of this major centre for new theatre writing.

The Grade II Georgian Sleaford Playhouse receives £5,000 towards its fenestration project which returns this rare playhouse back to its original Georgian appearance and introduces environmental improvements.

Formerly on the Trust's Theatre Buildings at Risk Register, the Grade II* Wilton's Music Hall receives £5,000 towards restoring its orchestra pit and carrying out urgent repairs to the timber floor in the auditorium.

Oldham Coliseum receives £2,500 towards the redesign and replacement of this renowned regional producing and touring theatre's box office, improving access for disabled patrons.

The Half Moon Young People's Theatre serving young people in Tower Hamlets, receives £2,000 towards a new lift to improve access between its entrance and foyer.

Rob Dickins CBE, Chairman of The Theatres Trust said, "We are delighted to be able to provide valuable help at a crucial time with these projects and further recipient theatres will be announced in the near future.  This would not have been possible without the wonderful generosity of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and top producer, Judy Craymer.  I hope that more theatre professionals will follow their lead as I really want to be able to widen the level of financial support The Theatres Trust gives to theatres in need."

The Trust's Small Grants Scheme opened for applications in May 2012 and received applications for projects totalling £140,000.  The Trust's Theatres Protection Fund, which funds the Scheme, has received £50,660 to distribute this year - £25,000 from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, £25,000 from Judy Craymer MBE and £660 from a collection by J&C Joel from visitors at PLASA 2012.

Trustees of The Theatres Trust will meet again in December 2012 to consider further awards from the Theatres Protection Fund.

For more details contact Kate Carmichael, kate.carmichael@theatrestrust.org.uk

For Editors Notes click here

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