The Theatre Royal Bath has been awarded more than £800,000 in grants to help support its ongoing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and ensure a sustainable future.
The Theatre Royal Bath | Photo © Freia Turland
The theatre has been awarded a grant of £423,499 by the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) Continuity Support Grant, announced by Nadine Dorries, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
The Theatre Royal is among 925 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the fund.
The third round of funding is supporting organisations as they deal with ongoing challenges, ensuring they can thrive in better times ahead.
In addition, the theatre is one of just eleven arts organisations in England to secure an award from the CRF’s Sustainability Funding Scheme.
This grant, totalling £389,868 for work up to March 2023, is being targeted to identify and support new business operations to ensure a sustainable future for CRF-funded organisations.
The fund also supports organisations to improve diversity and inclusion, progress toward ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and increase education and outreach.
Since theatres shut in March 2020, Arts Council England funding ensured that Bath’s Theatre Royal could reopen to audiences, initially in October and December 2020 when restrictions allowed.
The Theatre Royal Bath reopened again in May 2021 after the third national lockdown.
Since then, it has presented a continuous programme of shows in the Main House and a host of productions at the Ustinov Studio and The Egg.
Theatre Royal Bath Director, Danny Moar, said: “Theatre Royal Bath is delighted to receive further Arts Council Support as we continue our growth and recovery following a time of unparalleled difficulty for arts organisations during the pandemic.
“Since theatres were allowed to reopen in May, we have been thrilled to welcome audiences to over 300 performances across all three of our auditoria here at the Theatre Royal.
“Between May and December this year, we have mounted eight national tours serving theatres throughout the country, as well as staging three West End transfers as part of our contribution to the reopening of the theatre industry nationwide.
“With a busy Christmas season ahead and a full spring season announced, we continue to work on a host of exciting plans for 2022, including at least five theatre productions already confirmed which will tour to theatres across the UK after opening in Bath.”
Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries said: “Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from.
“Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, added: “This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health.
“It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives.”
