12/08/2018
Well done to the Playhouse Team, who have supported the Big Sing since our first event almost 4 years ago! We look forward to seeing it after the work is done!
What a fantastic sell-out send off tonight at the Alnwick Playhouse!
Shakespeare's Globe on Tour gave an excellent performance of Twelfth Night (as voted for by the audience!) as the final production for the public, before the Playhouse closes down for its long-awaited renovation and transformation.
This is a building which for me, like many people in the town, means a huge amount. I’ve performed there over 70 times in different productions from the age of 6.
Without the support of my local Youth Theatre growing up and the access of community theatre groups to the Playhouse, I certainly wouldn’t have had the same confidence to get a job when I left school and ultimately to get involved in politics in the local area.
Whilst in an ideal world, where we wouldn’t be facing the austerity crippling our communities implemented by an ignorant Government, I would be against the reduction of public services, tourist centres and our libraries.
However, given these circumstances we are lucky to be saving any of our services, especially the local library. Having these services under the one roof at the Playhouse will save them for future and current generations, whilst creating a central hub.
I am grateful for the work of the Labour council administration at the time, securing the development and doing their best to protect our communities from the worst of Government austerity and cuts.
Theatre and the Arts is something I am passionate about and I believe there is so much more than just entertainment to be gained from this. From our community Youth Theatres and the work Duchess High School do with performing arts, the development and confidence of our young people and indeed residents of all ages can be increased phenomenally by access to the Arts. We cannot allow unnecessary cuts to take that away from us or our society.
Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to the dedication and commitment of the Playhouse staff, without naming names, you know who you are and the graft you’ve all put in making this happen. Thank you all! 👏👍
Let’s all support our local Theatre groups and ensure that the Alnwick Playhouse and our other Arts centres get all the support and protection they need, to keep them going well into the future.
