Backstage

THEATRE ROYAL WAKEFIELD TO RECEIVE NO ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING AFTER 2012

Theatre Royal Wakefield learned today that it would receive no arts council funding post March 2012. In today’s announcement by Arts Council England, approximately 200 organisations have been told that they will receive no financial assistance whilst others have had their funding reduced significantly.

Murray Edwards, Executive Director said
“We are extremely disappointed at the Arts Council’s decision to cease our funding. We are clear about the quality and value of our work and will be working to find ways of continuing to make a valuable contribution to the people and communities of this district and to a wider public through our new touring programme.”

The news comes just days after Theatre Royal Wakefield announced a new partnership with John Godber, in which they will tour co-productions of Mr Godber’s work around the UK.

On 16 March 2011, Theatre Royal Wakefield celebrated its 25 year anniversary of re-opening as a theatre in 1986. The building had fallen into a state of disrepair and was being used as a bingo hall in the late 1970’s before it was rescued by Sir Rodney Walker and the Friends of Wakefield Theatre Royal & Opera House. It currently plays to audiences of around 80,000 annually.