Hollywood actor wins backing for theatre plans

Plans to convert the former council offices and archives store on Lord Roberts Road to the theatre were granted planning permission by East Riding councillors.

Regan, whose film credits include Troy and Clash of the Titans, told the council’s planning committee it would be a valuable addition to the town and “a hub to grow the cultural life of the region”.

The actor, who will be in charge of the artistic programme, said there was “heavyweight backing for the scheme”, including 
from Dame Judi Dench, and 
the aim would be to enter into co-productions with London theatres.

It was “important that the theatre becomes a world-class venue”, he added.

The theatre hopes to raise the curtain on its first production by the end of the year and has associate artists including Mark Addy, one of the founders of Hull Truck, Beverley-born Bafta winning actress Anna Maxwell Martin and Olivier-nominated actor David Bradley on board.

Tickets for a fundraising dinner followed by cabaret with Charlie Bicknell on Sunday have sold 
out.

Project manager Sue Kirkwood said: “We have had an awful lot of community support on Twitter and Facebook and lots of volunteers.

“People are coming in all the time and offering their services. Just last week there was someone whose job it is to write applications for funding and we’ve had people like joiners, plumbers and electricians.”

The theatre hopes to raise the money to restore the grade-two listed building through a combination of private and public sources, including the Arts Council.

The seven-day-a-week operation will serve food and drink to help subsidise the theatre, which will also be a hub for established festivals.