Theatres Trust have announced the Theatres at Risk Register and it includes Leith Theatre which recently has become home to Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts (EKFH) who send out over 1,000 day packs to those who need each day.
Leith Theatre is further along its journey to reopening, but its future is not yet secure. While unable to open for most of 2020, the theatre has built on its position as a community venue, entering into a partnership with EKFH, allowing the charity to use the kitchen and hall to feed those in need, and has been used as a filming location for several music videos.
During lockdown it has operated as a food bank where they collected materials for masks. Theatres Trust Capacity Building support has helped the organisation to develop its skills in finance, fundraising and audience development. The charity EKFH will be moving to their new premises on West Granton Road when the legalities and practicalities have been worked out with The City of Edinburgh Council who agreed to lease the premises to them this month.
The national advisory body for theatres has helped theatres with Theatre Reopening Fund grants, their #SaveOurTheatres Crowdfunder campaign and their free advice services.
The organisation continues to help theatres and advocate for them by putting out the annual list of Theatres at Risk.
There are 31 theatres on the list and the organisation says that although there are many job losses due to the pandemic, none of the buildings left empty appear to be in imminent danger.
Every theatre on the list is of architectural or cultural heritage and the potential to be returned to performance use and be a real asset to the community.
Musician and actor Gary Kemp, who is a Trustee for Theatres Trust, said: “As a performer I know how vital theatre buildings are, adding immeasurably to the atmosphere of a show, whether it is music or drama. Every building on the Theatres at Risk list is part of the UK’s cultural and social heritage, but each also holds a special position in their community and with the right support could once more be central to a sense of local pride.”
Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan said: “This past year has shown that communities value places where they can come together and that audiences miss live performances. While the theatre sector still has challenging days ahead, Theatres Trust believes that theatre will come back stronger than ever and that each building on the Theatres at Risk list has real potential to be a valuable asset to its community, to bring much needed footfall to its town centre and spark regeneration of its area as part of the recovery post-Covid.”
Theatres Trust, the national advisory body for theatres, who compile the Register, is calling for more collaborative creative partnerships between local authorities, theatre owners and operators and community groups to protect all theatres on the list. Collaboration is vital moving forwards both for saving theatres on the Theatres at Risk Register as well as helping theatres manage the continuing challenges of Covid-19.
The newest addition to the national list is the Co-op Music Hall in Ramsbottom. This remarkable 1870s theatre is now under threat of redevelopment for housing.
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