Theatre in the Mill: ‘Heartbreak’ as Yorkshire theatre to close short of its 50th year
A theatre that has been a hotbed of experimental and avant garde work is to close, following an announcement made just short of in its 50th anniversary.
Opened in November 1976 by playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Theatre in the Mill has a history of incubating emerging artists, fringe theatre-makers, and unconventional productions.
However the 100-seat black-box studio space, housed in a converted mill building on the University of Bradford campus, will shut in March, with the loss of four jobs, after the university pulled its funding.
The theatre got £200,000 from the university, which was match-funded by the Arts Council.
The university says it is facing “significant financial pressures” and they have “to focus our resources where they can have the greatest impact on students, teaching and research”.
News of the closure has been greeted with sorrow and anger, with people calling on the university to reconsider.
Writing on social media Tim Apelbee said: “This is desperate news. As someone who acted in the first show when it opened… and who has seen some amazing and provocative theatre within its walls, I am desolate.
"What has happened to the University, once so proud of its support for the arts, even without an Arts Faculty?”
Hassan Mahamdallie, who was performing there at the weekend, said: “Where else in Bradford will small scale theatre companies like outs based in London go to show our work? Terrible decision, one of many that is ripping the heart out of small scale touring nationwide”.
Another said: “I was only there on Friday evening attending a brilliant show, Punk Days. It’s a unique venue and it would be such a loss.”
Dr Shabina Aslam, artistic director since 2023 and first person of colour to hold the job, told the BBC she was heartbroken and it was “completely devastating to think about all those artists that we've nurtured and worked with.”
She said the theatre would honour all existing commitments to artists.
A University of Bradford spokesperson said: “The University has reluctantly taken the decision to close Theatre in the Mill from March 2027.
“Like many in the higher education sector, Bradford faces significant financial pressures.
“We have a responsibility to focus our resources where they can have the greatest impact on students, teaching and research."
The statement said all activities had to be assessed “against their long-term sustainability and their ability to deliver value for the University”, adding: “These assessments are necessary in a challenging operating environment.
“We recognise that this decision will be disappointing for many people who care deeply about Theatre in the Mill.
“We remain committed to working with partners across the city to support culture, creativity and opportunity for future generations.”
Described on its website as an “in-between space, situated between world class research and the reality of inner-city deprivations” it is known for offering opportunities to people starting out in a wide variety of artistic disciplines as well as established performers.
It is showing Ahmed Masoud’s play, The Shroud Maker Experience on November 20.