Theatre appeal leads to £42k in pledges (From Oxford Mail)

Theatre appeal leads to £42k in pledges

6:04pm Friday 29th August 2008

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The county's largest theatre production company has received pledges worth £42,000 for its attempt to stay afloat.

Five anonymous donors have come forward saying they are willing to give money to Creation Theatre Company. But they are only doing it if the public prove they want to keep the theatre by raising the same amount.

A second summer of awful weather has threatened the future of the popular theatre company which specialises in outdoor shows.

Takings are down by £140,000 this year compared with 2006 when the company last enjoyed decent summer weather. Last week the company launched an appeal to raise at least £60,000 to buy a canopy, roof or tent so crowds will return to its performances in venues such as Oxford Castle and Headington Hill Park.

Now the Headington-based company is calling on the public to prove it wants to keep the theatre which has played to 302,000 people since it formed 13 years ago.

Deputy producer Nicola West said: "Now is the time for people to help us, however they can, if they want to see us performing in the future."

The theatre is urging anyone who has been to a show or a workshop, or believes strongly in local arts to contact them so they can assure the mystery supporters that the Oxfordshire people want it to continue.

Time is of the essence as the theatre said if the response is slow the pledges would be withdrawn. Cash can be raised in many ways - making a donation, asking schools to have a sponsored non-uniform day or becoming the patron of a performance.

If the company were to fold six office staff, 75 freelance actors and the backstage staff would all need to look for work. Producer and artistic director David Parrish said: "I have been at almost all of our performances in the last two weeks to explain a little about the campaign, and the audiences have been amazingly supportive, taking donation forms and stopping to tell me how much they have loved the shows over the last 13 years."

The theatre, which became a charity 17 months ago, only survived a disastrous summer last year thanks to an anonymous £80,000 donation.To offer support, go to www.creationtheatre.co.uk

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