Closures highlight struggles facing local theatres

The announcement of the closure of two regional theatres in the West has prompted questions as to whether the industry is struggling in the current economic climate.

Bristol Improv Theatre shut with immediate effect on 9 October and Taunton Brewhouse is due to close at the end of the month, with both citing financial difficulties.

Other venues face individual challenges - the Bristol Old Vic recently announced job cuts and Swindon's Wyvern Theatre is being replaced due to its ageing building.

But the Theatres Trust said despite "isolated" cases, there was reason to hope that "the state of the theatre is, for the most part, buoyant".

Chief executive, Joshua McTaggart, however did admit that smaller theatres face significant challenges over the rising cost of energy bills, staff wages and the maintenance of older buildings.

"So, we're at risk of seeing more local cultural venues on the doorstep close," he said.

"People are having to make choices about where to spend their money and are increasingly choosing to go into the city to see big productions, rather than the local theatre."

Arts Council England said it was funding more theatre organisations than ever before, with £28m being directly invested across the South West.

"We understand that news of proposed redundancies and closures will be deeply concerning for staff and the wider cultural communities they engage with.

"We will continue to work with the organisations we fund to support long-term sustainability and public investment in culture," said a spokesperson.

Many small independent arts organisations operate with limited financial reserves, which can make them vulnerable.

Bristol Improv Theatre (BIT) said in a statement posted online that the decision to close was due to its "very difficult and precarious financial position".

BIT trustees acknowledged that a theatre is often an important focal point for local people so the loss could be "especially difficult".

McTaggart agreed that the closure of a theatre can affect the whole community.

"Often they have youth theatre groups, intergenerational activities, dementia-friendly events and parent and baby sessions.

"At the Theatre Trust we continue to remind local and regional decision makers that investing in culture is an investment in your local people and their future."

It is a sentiment shared by Hilary Marshall, chair of Taunton Association of the Performing Arts, who said that the arts provide a sense of wellbeing and that Taunton Brewhouse was often children's first experience of live theatre.

The theatre will close at the end of October leaving 23 staff redundant after operators were unable to raise enough money to keep it running.

Discussions are ongoing between Somerset Council and Taunton Town Council, but as yet the future of the theatre remains in doubt.

There are about 1,000 theatres in the UK, of which about 125 are owned and operated by amateur companies - many of which were "exceptional", according to McTaggart, but were not getting the level of investment needed.

"There's a real issue with arts funding overall that we don't value amateur arts and culture in the same way as a park run or five-a-side football," he said.

Bristol Old Vic has opened a voluntary redundancy scheme to reduce staff costs by 5% because of the "difficult financial climate".

A recent statement said: "This step is intended to strengthen our long-term resilience, while enabling the organisation to keep delivering ambitious theatre and engagement activity for Bristol and beyond."

McTaggart said one way of balancing the books was for companies to collaborate.

"Theatres are really innovative around how to share the cost and the co-production model is one of the only ways really to deliver sustainable work," he said.

Derek Bond, artistic director and CEO of the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury said finances were always "challenging", but theatres needed to be creative to survive.

"That's where support from Tewkesbury Borough Council has really come in because they've recognised the impact that we are having on the community and what a positive difference we make," he said.

"Audiences are coming to us in droves; in 2022 we had 60,000 people and last year it was 80,000. It makes me feel very optimistic."

Another organisation which is positive about its long-term future is Swindon Theatres.

Although its 600-seat Wyvern, built in 1971, is no longer fit-for-purpose, a new 2,000-capacity venue is due to be opened in 2028, partially-funded by a £20m government grant.

Theatre director, Laura James, said the appetite for theatre in a bigger town like Swindon remained strong.

"What Swindon definitely needs is a larger venue as our current auditorium capacity limits the touring productions we can take from the West End.

"However, the absolute essence of a regional venue serving its community will need to continue," she said.

McTaggart agreed that, overall, the future looked promising.

"We're seeing closures, but also we're seeing an increase in the number of openings and reopenings of venues, so it's balancing out and the figure of 1,000 theatres remains static," he said.

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