The New Theatre Royal is 'under threat' due to lockdown as it launches £20,000 fundraiser

The New Theatre Royal, in Guildhall Walk, is hoping to raise £20,000 to ensure its survival.

The venue joins more than 40 others across the country in the fundraising push, orchestrated by The Theatres Trust in partnership with fundraising site Crowdfunder.

It comes as the venue faces its ‘biggest challenge in it’s 160 year history’, according to a statement that added its ‘future is under threat’ from the ‘devastating’ effects of Covid-19.

Charlotte Bell, from the theatre, said: ‘Whilst the New Theatre Royal team has been working extremely hard over the past months to ensure a secure and stable future for the theatre, we decided to take part in the Theatres Trust #SaveOurTheatres campaign when it became clear that we would be unable to open for any scheduled performances in 2020.

'As it stands, we have had to cancel or postpone over 70 different shows due to our venue closure.

‘We rely on ticket sales for the majority of our income so this has had a huge impact on us.

‘We are confident that our audiences, local community and businesses will rally to support us through this difficult time. We've been so excited by the initial response to our appeal and would like to thank everyone who has donated and shared our campaign so far.’

Donors using the Crowdfunder website will be thanked with a variety of gifts depending on the size of the donation.

For £20, the theatre will send one of 100 limited edition maps of Portsmouth – while a £250 donation will be rewarded with a made-to-measure gown from the Portsmouth Costumiers studio in a pattern of your choice.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Rob Wood, said: ‘The New Theatre Royal is a historic gem that plays a vital role in our city; it’s loss is unimaginable.

‘We are going to need theatres more than ever as we recover from Covid-19 to inspire and reconnect us and we must act now to keep the doors of New Theatre Royal open for everyone.’

The Save Our Theatre campaign hopes to harness the ongoing support of theatre-fans, following 7,000 of them using the Crowdfunder site to raise almost £500,000 for their favourite venues in the last six months.

SEE ALSO: Covid-secure marshals in town centres are a 'knee jerk' government response, says Portsmouth City Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Jon Morgan, director at The Theatres Trust said: ‘Without urgent support, we could lose many of our nation’s amazing theatres.’

It comes as prime minister Boris Johnson has announced plans for theatres and sports venues to use rapid-result Covid-19 tests to screen audience members before performances.

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