Money provided by Allerdale Borough Council will help Wigton’s John Peel Theatre pay for much-needed improvements and maintenance jobs.
£5000 is being given to the theatre, after it approached the council for help to pay for refurbished seating, toilets, and roof repairs. The council has a long history of supporting the theatre, having provided £5,000 to help it secure further-funding for a complete refit of the foyer, bar and technical area in 2014. As a result the theatre has been a roaring success, with many new members and it regularly pulls in large and enthusiastic audiences.
Connie Jensen, Chair of the management committee, said: “In some ways we’ve been the victim of our own success, as the seats, which we think came from the Palace Cinema in Carlisle many years ago, are now showing their age as they get so much usage. We’re always looking to ensure our audiences get the best experience when they visit, so I’m thrilled that Allerdale are able to help us to achieve this. The money will also help pay for the regular maintenance work we need on the building, which will mean we’ll be able to continue to provide shows for years to come.
“We will continue to work with our members to put on a series of shows this year, even as we work to secure funding to save the fabric of our theatre and improve facilities for our members and audiences.
“Work has started on an evening of comedy by local writers 22nd – 24th May, as part of Wigton’s Spring Fling Festival: Evolution and Other Planning Disasters; we are planning to present Macbeth in August and we are currently writing another blockbuster pantomime.”
Wigton councillor, and Mayor of Allerdale, John Crouch said: “I’m really pleased we are able to help the John Peel Theatre in Wigton. It’s a great theatre space which does a lot for the local community and has really dedicated and enthusiastic members and supporters. We know that organisations like this have a huge impact on the local community, help our towns stay vibrant, and are a real visitor attraction. So it’s great that we can add our support.”
You can find out more about what’s on at the theatre at: http://www.wigtontheatre.org/