A difficult stage

IN what is a distinctly challenging climate for arts funding, achieving the target set by Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal of raising £122,500 over the next 12 months will be no easy task.

By The Newsroom

Published 30th Apr 2013, 09:22 BST

With venues and organisations often being pitted against one another to secure the financial backing they need to stay in business, there are no longer any certainties as to who will survive and who will not.

However, in the case of a North Yorkshire venue that represents Britain’s most complete Georgian playhouse, it is to be fervently hoped that this much-needed funding drive will prove successful.

This is a very significant year for the Georgian as it celebrates a trio of anniversaries. It is 225 years since the theatre was first built, 50 years since it re-opened and 10 years since it was fully restored.

Given the pivotal role it plays in the cultural life of the town and surrounding area – as well as the contribution it makes in terms of youth theatre and education – safeguarding its future is vitally important. When better to do so than in what is such a landmark year in its history?