Shinfield Players faces extensive repairs after storm damage
THE SHINFIELD Players Theatre is appealing for help as it begins work on building repair.
The theatre is undergoing consultation after its roof was torn away during Storm Eunice in February.
Damage to the roof left the theatre exposed to the rain, which led to considerable water damage.
After an assessment of the damage, Jess Wilkins, a member of SPT, said that the theatre’s fears of extensive repairs have come true.
“We have had a lot of water damage inside.
“The stage will need replacing as it’s bowing, the walls and plasterboard are damaged, along with a lot of our set pieces and flats. “Our carpets are also ruined.” While contractors have begun work on repairing the roof, the new roof is only a like-for-like replacement for the time being.
SPT has decided that the quality of the roofing needs considerable improvement, and has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for a more robust solution.
The appeal has raised just over three quarters of the estimated £4,000 cost of an upgraded roof.
Ms Wilkins said: “It’s heartbreaking for everyone involved with the theatre, and such a shame.
“But we should be watertight by next week, and then we can begin work inside the theatre.”
She said that insurance evaluators would review the rest of the damage once the space was watertight.
So far, the company has not cancelled any of its shows, though its current production, Our House, has been postponed.
Now pushed back to October, this is the second time the production has been postponed.
SPT posted their thanks to the local community the GoFundMe page for their donations.
■ You can donate to the Shinfield Players Theatre’s roof fund at www. GoFundMe.com.