Help us to sail back for anniversary year, says narrowboat theatre company

FOR NEARLY half a century, Huddersfield’s Mikron Theatre Company has been touring the region by vintage narrowboat, delivering its own mix of unique theatre to crowds of thousands.

Now, with its entire summer season cancelled and its future at risk, it is launching a fundraising appeal to see it back in 2021, in time for its 50th year of touring.

Cancelling this year’s events was a difficult decision, says artistic director Marianne McNamara, but it hopes with Yorkshire’s support to make a return next year.

“We’re so incredibly sad not to be touring,” she said. “In the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak we looked at every possible combination, but none of them were practical.”

Since its formation in 1972 Mikron has written 64 shows, spent 30,000 boating hours on the inland waterways, and performed over 5,000 times to over 428,000 people, hosting shows about growing-your-own hosted in allotments, a play about bees sited next to some hives, and a performance about food in a fish and chip restaurant.

In April, it had been ready to launch its season, with 130 dates booked for its two new plays, but when lockdown hit members began volunteering in the community instead, re-purposing vans to deliver aid, food and prescriptions to the vulnerable.

“What I would not give to see Mikron performing at a canalside venue to a large crowd with the sun setting behind us,” said Ms McNamara.

“We see the same faces in different places year on year and we really miss them but the safety of the cast and crew, venues and of course our loyal audiences, had to come first.”

Now, with no income, Mikron says it is looking at a “catastrophic” shortfall of £48,337.49 and warns it will run out of money before the end of the year.

It now has until December to raise the funds, in the hope of ensuring its future in the industry, and is appealing for the public’s support.