Harlow Playhouse has been awarded £531,551 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which aims to help theatres and cultural venues face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future.
The Harlow Council-run Playhouse is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support.
Councillor Mark Ingall, Leader of Harlow Council, says: “I would like to thank our Playhouse Team for working so hard to secure this funding. During lockdown the theatre could not open due to public health restrictions and a full programme of shows had to be cancelled affecting the theatre’s regular income. The Playhouse like theatres across the country struggled and this funding will be used help the theatre now and going forward in these continued uncertain times. I know our Playhouse Team will continue to respond positively whatever the future challenges might be. During lockdown we continued to support the staff and while the theatre was closed the team carried on keeping audiences entertained with a programme of free digital shows. Staff were also redeployed to help other council services and help manage COVID-19 measures in the town centre which were introduced to keep residents safe. The café and box office reopened in September and the team are currently preparing to welcome audiences back with this year’s alternative Christmas programme. The announcement of this funding comes at a crucial time for the theatre’s staff and is most welcome by all.”
