THE SHOWS MUST GO ON!
£233k LIFELINE THROWN TO AUDITORIUM
GRIMSBY Auditorium has been n awarded a ‘lifesaving’ sum of cash to o help see the theatre through the e pandemic while it remains closed. The arts is one of the hardest hit t victims of the coronavirus pandemic, with theatres up and down the country struggling to survive e while shows are cancelled or post- poned until next year.
And now Grimsby Auditorium has s been awarded £233,000 from the e Government to give it the best t chance of being able to entertain n audiences once again.
The venue, which is in its 25th anniversary year, joins Grimsby Minster and the Time Trap museum in receiving funding from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. Claire Williams, Grimsby Auditorium’s general manager, said: “We are thrilled and incredibly thankful for the lifeline that this funding has given us.
“Grimsby’s largest live performance venue celebrated its 25th anniversary this year while its doors were closed due to the pandemic. “We remained upbeat, but at that time we knew that the venue would not survive another year without
some significant i ifi t support.” t” “This funding means that we will be able to continue to support our local workforce, along with ensuring that this much-loved venue stays a firm fixture in providing a stage for our local rising stars.
“Time is needed to work through what the coming months will look like in terms of what performances we can safely bring to audiences. “Ultimately the funding means that we will survive the autumn and winter months and still be here next year.”
Since opening in 1995, Grimsby Gr y
Auditorium has hosted high profile acts including Jimmy Carr, Peter Kay, Morrissey, Kasabian and The Stereophonics.
This year’s line-up was due to be j just as star-studded with Rob Becke ett, Milton Jones, John Bishop and Kevin Clifton all postponing their shows due to coronavirus.
The 1,200 seat venue on Cromwell Road is among the first round of cultural and creative organisations receiving the funding administered by Arts Council England.
The Auditorium team are currently planning how they will perform this year’s pantomime in line with government restrictions. Arts Council England chairman, Sir Nicholas Serota, said: “Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages.
“This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences.” Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. “These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country.” y