Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
£3M GRANT SAVES CITY THEATRE FROM RISK OF CLOSURE
The Marlowe Theatre has been given a £3million cash boost which bosses say “saves it from the threat of permanent closure” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The government announced on Saturday that the struggling city venue will receive the money as part of its second round of Culture Recovery Fund grants.
The theatre initially closed its doors from March till June, and only welcomed its first audience since the start of the Covid-19 crisis in September.
But now, as the country is under a second lockdown, the theatre has gone dark for another month.
This is a particular blow as its biggest money-maker - the annual pantomime - was cancelled earlier this year. A scaled-down production -Nurse Nellie Saves Panto - is due to run from December to January; however, there is uncertainty as to whether the current lockdown will truly end as planned on December 2.
But bosses remain confident it will go ahead, noting that rehearsals have continued throughout recent months and that 12,000 tickets have been sold to date. Saturday’s announcement revealed The Marlowe Theatre to be one of eight institutions nationwide to receive money in this round of Culture Recovery Fund releases. Funding will enable the theatre to cover core costs and prepare for reopening in April 2021.
It is not yet known how, or if, it will affect 30 planned redundancies at the theatre, which has been forced to furlough staff during the pandemic. Deborah Shaw, The Marlowe Theatre’s chief execu
tive, was unavailable to speak ahead of the Gazette’s publication.
But in a press release sent out by the theatre, she said: “We are thrilled and relieved to receive this vital support, which takes away the threat of
permanent closure in the face of the Covid-19 crisis and supports our organisation through until the end of March 2021. “We are hugely grateful to the Treasury and DCMS for their commitment to safeguarding the nation’s cultural
We are thrilled and relieved to receive this vital support - Deborah Shaw, Marlowe CEO
life at this time, and to the Arts Council for ensuring that the funds have been distributed so widely.
“The Marlowe receives no revenue funding and operates as a self-funding charity. “We are reliant on Box Office for 99% of our income and our success in normal years allows us to invest in regional artists and production and to create a rich programme of creative opportunities for our thriving youth companies, our network of 22 associate schools and the communities of Kent. “With this funding, we are able to continue that work, build our organisational resilience and support our brilliant workforce.
“We intend to reopen as soon as possible, so we can be at the heart of our city and region’s spiritual, social and economic recovery.”
The city council’s chief executive, Colin Carmichael, believes the loss of the Marlowe would have much wider knock-on effects for the region. He said: “I’m delighted that The Marlowe Theatre has received this generous grant to help it manage its way through these difficult times. “When the city council - with the help of lots of local fundraisers - rebuilt The Marlowe a few years ago, we wanted to make a clear statement of our confidence in the city’s future, and cement Canterbury’s position as a centre for cultural development.
“The Trust that manages the theatre has done everything we could have wished to achieve those aims - and more. “It would be disastrous for the city - and east Kent - were The Marlowe to be put out of action much beyond the timelines of this pandemic.” Other indirect benefactors of the grant are the creatives who are either working or training with the theatre. Among these is Maisie Crawford, member of The Marlowe Youth Company, who said: “I’m so glad The Marlowe has been given this support. “Being part of the youth company offers such a wonderful community to explore different styles and methods of acting.
“It’s given me a whole new group of friendships and such a brilliant experience on stage. Something I wouldn’t miss each week.”
The latest funding builds on £409m of recovery grants administered by Arts Council England and announced last month, which has gone to over 2,000 arts and cultural organisations of all sizes. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “These grants will help the places that have shaped our skylines for hundreds of years and that continue to define culture in our towns and cities. “From St Paul’s and Ronnie Scott’s to The Lowry and Durham Cathedral, we’re protecting heritage and culture in every corner of the country to save jobs and ensure it can bounce back strongly.” Peter Heslip, director of the Arts Council England’s south east division, said: “We’re very pleased to support The Marlowe, which provides a wealth of opportunities for artists, audiences and communities.”