The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
MP calling for more support for theatres
MP for Peterborough Paul Bristow has taken up the case for the city’s theatres, which have been standing idle for more than three months during lockdown.
Mr Bristow has written to Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to highlight the struggle and the uncertain future they face.
In his letter of support for Peterborough’s New Theatre, Key Theatre and Cresset, Mr Bristow says it is vital that the city’s cultural institutions survive - adding that it would be a tragedy to lose the New Theatre “just when it appeared set for success.”
His letter, calling for Government help, has been welcomed by David Hutchinson, CEO of Selladoor Worldwide, the company which took over the running of the New Theatre in Broadway last September, bringing a host of top West End shows to the city.
Mr Bristow writes: “Like other organisations, they have struggled under the lockdown restrictions. Yet unlike those in other sectors, which are preparing to resume something approaching normality, they have no immediate prospect of being able to restore regular performances.
At the New Theatre, in central Peterborough, it might be November or later before productions can resume. This is having a significant impact on the theatre’s financial resilience. The same applies to the Key Theatre and The Cresset in Bretton.
“I appreciate that the Government has made discretionary grant funding available through Peterborough City Council, but this has inevitably been focused on meeting the wider needs of businesses. The Arts Council has also offered some emergency assistance, but not enough to meet operating costs over many months.
“We need Peterborough’s cultural institutions to survive. Far from relying on subsidy, the New Theatre has been operating entirely on its own box office receipts. After the troubled history of this venue in recent years, it would a tragedy if my city lost this theatre just when it appeared set for success.
“Likewise, the Key Theatre and The Cresset are crucial to Peterborough’s future regeneration and growth.
“I am sure you agree that we cannot allow Coronavirus to close our theatres for good. The Government’s help in preventing this outcome would be hugely appreciated.”
Mr Hutchinson, who recently indicated mid-November was the targeted reopening date with a schedule in place including panto, took to Twitter to thank the MP.
“Big thank you to our @ PboroTheatre Peterborough MP @paulbristow79 for his support and action in writing to government & @OliverDowden seeking support for local theatres during this torrid Covid-19 closure” he tweeted.
He added: “Theatres across the country are in turmoil as months of closure and zero income has meant so many in our sector have lost jobs whilst theatres still have no timetabled roadmap to reopening.
“As early as May my organisation alongside many others published detailed evidence to the Department of Culture,
Sport & Media showing with no income or a targeted theatre support package - the arts will be destroyed by the end of the year.
“Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, wrote in the Evening Standard on 8 June that he wouldn’t stand by as the arts were destroyed. A month later, and nothing has materialised.
“Our MP Paul Bristow’s letter today shows that he values the cultural capital the New Theatre, and indeed our fellow theatres and cultural institutions, bring to the city and I do hope government respond to his request for urgent support for a sector that is arguably going to be one of the worst hit, and last to reopen as we emerge from lockdown.
“For our loyal and supportive patrons in and around Peterborough - we thank you for all your kind donations and support during this time. We have to save our theatres and the cultural value they bring as a placemaker in the community as otherwise, the loss will be felt for generations to come.
“We are leaders in making theatre in Britain, the envy of the world and it’s a sector we should cherish. Please do keep booking tickets for future events, buy gift voucher as a gift of theatre and come and support your local theatre when we can safely reopen - we need you now more than ever!”
‘We need Peterborough’s cultural institutions to survive...’