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Theatre Royal Needs £20m to Survive
4 Aug
Summary
- Theatre Royal needs £15m-£20m for modernization within a decade.
- The 125-year-old venue receives no direct government or Arts Council funding.
- Lack of modern facilities like lift access poses challenges for the historic building.
The Theatre Royal in Newcastle is urgently seeking government support for essential modernization. Managers have called for a complete rethink of arts funding, as the 125-year-old, not-for-profit venue currently receives no direct government or Arts Council funding and recently missed out on a grant.
Over the next five to ten years, the Theatre Royal will require an estimated £15m to £20m for crucial capital works. Chief executive Marianne Locatori noted that while the Grade I listed building is an architectural masterpiece, its original design from 1901 does not meet contemporary audience needs. Issues include the absence of lift access and the reliance on 1980s-era equipment, necessitating upgrades for environmental sustainability and modern functionality.
