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CHALKFOOT UPDATE
May/June 2008
Earlier this year we heard at short notice that Arts
Council England was no longer prepared to support Chalkfoot
as a Regularly Funded Organisation.
This unfortunate news - shared with almost 200 other arts
organisations nationally - has meant that for the past few
months we have been working to develop a new business plan
so we can continue to serve our audience.
Regrettably we will not be able to offer an outdoor
production this summer: in fact our outdoor touring work has
been put on hold until our long-term funding situation
improves.
However, at this time we are very much hoping that our
Spring tour for 2009 will go ahead, and to that end we have
submitted a funding application to Kent County’s
Council’s Arts Investment Fund. KCC has told us that we
will hear the result of our application later this
summer.
We are also applying to a number of charitable trusts to
support our touring work, although the competition for funds
is very tough in the present climate and we have already
received a number of negative responses.
-- Scroll down the page for audience comments on our
funding crisis ---
CURRENT PROJECTS
Far from standing still, the company has been busy with a
number of new projects.
Following the success of our recent tour of Tom
McGrath’s Laurel and Hardy, the company’s
Artistic Director Philip Dart is exploring the possibility
of presenting a short run with the same cast in London in
Spring 2009.
Philip is also currently looking forward to returning to
Vienna’s English Theatre this autumn, where he will
direct an English-speaking production for their main house
theatre in November. Outreach Director Claudia Leaf will
also write and direct a production for the touring arm of
Vienna’s English Theatre.
In June the company’s Margate headquarters will
throw its doors open to schools studying drama at BTEC and
GCSE level, offering sessions in which young people can work
with professional actors and directors.
STOP PRESS ****STOP PRESS ****STOP PRESS ****STOP
PRESS
Chalkfoot is currently working with Thanet District
Council on an exciting new theatre project which will
reflect the lives of people living and working in the Thanet
area. Following an extensive round of focus group sessions
scheduled for the summer, Claudia Leaf will write a play
which explores the lives and experiences of taxi drivers in
Thanet.
Claudia will also be working with the Theatre Royal
Margate to create a performance project for young people
during the October half term week.
Support from Rural Communities
In addition to the many letters and phone calls we
have received over the past few months, we would like to
thank the 450 households who offered to add their names to
the campaign to save Chalkfoot's rural touring work during
our recent tour of 'Laurel and Hardy'. It is reassuring to
know that so many people are willing to actively support the
company by writing and/or signing a petition.
Following our recent funding difficulties, a number of
supporters wrote to Cllr Michael Hill, KCC Cabinet Member
for Community Services who is responsible for KCC's Arts and
Culture portfolio. Their comments are printed below:
To Cllr.Mike Hill
KCC Cabinet member for Community Services
I am writing to register my disgust that ACESE intend to
withdraw funding from the Chalkfoot Theatre Arts
Company.
Chalkfoot has performed at Ash Village Hall (near
Canterbury) annually for the past seven years; an event not
only well supported by villagers, but eagerly anticipated by
both young and old. Not everyone living in the village has
means of transport to either Theatre Royal, Margate, or
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, nor are they able to afford the
ticket prices. Chalkfoot's have always been within most
persons' pockets.
As a regular theatre goer to the Marlowe plus London
theatres (such as the South Bank's National) I can honestly
say the Chalkfoot performances are both extremely
professional and stimulatingly innovative: I have been
constantly amazed at the company's ability to arrive,
unload, set up, and then give a thoroughly polished and
thought provoking show - all on a shoe string.
If their excellent work, which is popular and in demand
throughout the community, is unable due to lack of funding
to continue - with particular reference to the children's
plays - generations of Ash youngsters (let alone those
through the rural communities in Kent) will never experience
the magic and spontaneity of live performance.
I feel strongly that this is a politically based decision,
as I have recently read in The Times newspaper a report
saying that 194 arts companies nationwide are to have their
subsidy either chopped or drastically reduced. The Arts
Council states that the funds are to be concentrated on
companies with a record of excellence - how do they justify
that statement I wonder? Presumably the said monies are to
be diverted elsewhere to such vote catching projects as the
forthcoming Olympics.
Once these companies such as Chalkfoot die, there will be no
resurrection. Therein lies more social exclusion for rural
communities in Kent. Please give them all the support you
can.
Yours sincerely
Jean Ryan (Mrs) Chairman Ash Village Hall Management
Committee
Sorry to bother you Mr Hill but I write as the chairman
of Rodmersham Village Hall (and as a parish councillor)
about the decision of the Arts Council England South East to
withdraw funding from Chalkfoot Theatre for its touring
activities in bringing theatre into the villages of
Kent.
Within our community at Rodmersham (ME9) the theatre has
been an absolute "must" for many villagers who would not be
able to travel to the theatres at Maidstone or Canterbury,
but who can manage it to the village hall for real live
theatre.
It brings both culture and entertainment to the community,
both young and old, and some are very elderly indeed, and
brings real actors and real plays in a community setting
where people are socialising together and not watching TV on
their own.
It is a social asset, when many social gatherings are
disappearing as well as bringing art and literature, which
would otherwise be lost to many.
It is also another community event in the village hall, a
hall which is used for many things and which the KCC funded
when it was built in the 1970s.
The village hall management committee always grasp the
opportunity to book the theatre when their tours are
announced.
If Rodmersham loses the theatre because of lack of funding
from ACESE then it will be another nail in the social life
of one of Kent's rural communities, particularly as our
village post office is being closed by another body which
does not care about rural communities.
May I, both as a parish councillor, a village hall ctte
member and a village resident request that you use your
efforts as the KCC Cabinet member for Community Services to
bring the KCC weight to bear on the Arts Council to rescind
its decision and to continue to fund Chalkfoot Theatre for
the benefit of the rural communities of Kent.
Thank you.
E.C.Hobday
Dear Councillor Hill,
I would like to add my voice to the chorus of dismay that
has greeted the announcement of the loss of Arts Council
funding for Chalkfoot Theatre Arts. This is a real blow to
small villages like ours that look forward to the annual
visit of Chalkfoot as the one occasion when we can see
quality drama on our doorstep.
Having worked in the professional theatre for over thirty
years, I've seen countless small-scale companies operating
all over the world, Chalkfoot is among the best and most
adventurous, making light of all the difficulties that face
a touring company and producing, time and again, excellent
work that belies their modest resources.
For most people in our village, Chalkfoot provides the only
live theatre that they see. Those of us who visit the
Marlowe on a regular basis will soon be losing that source
of entertainment. To fill the gap that will be created,
companies like Chalkfoot should be backed to the hilt.
I realise that KCC is not responsible for the loss of
funding. But, since you are responsible for the Arts
Portfolio, I urge you to bring Chalkfoot's plight to the
attention of the Council and to use what influence you have
with the Arts Council South East to persuade them to
reconsider their decision.
Yours sincerely,
Keith Miles (Author and Playwright with a national
profile)
Dear Michael Hill
Re Chalkfoot.
I am writing as President of the Shoreham Village Players to
express our dismay at the possible demise of this
organisation. On a personal level I should be very sorry to
lose them - taking my 5-year-old granddaughter to their
production of The Wind in the Willows was an unforgettable
experience for both of us and gave her her first taste of
theatre in a wonderfully informal and happy setting.
Subsequently we have invited them to Shoreham twice, both
times getting a very good and enthusiastic audience. It is
clear that there is a great appetite for live theatre; as an
amateur dramatic society it helps to encourage our audience
and create and maintain community interest in the arts. Not
everyone in the village can get up to London for the big
West End shows, or indeed to the subsidised theatre, but
they turn out in force for plays in the Village Hall. I hope
you may be able to show the Arts Council what a vital role
Chalkfoot plays in keeping live theatre accessible to
all.
Yours sincerely
Kate Britten
We, members of the Village Hall Committee at Hartlip,
Kent, are saddened to hear from Philip Dart that the Arts
Council England South East does not intend to continue
funding Chalkfoot.
Channel Theatre, later Chalkfoot, has been coming to Hartlip
for many years, at least fifteen, has been performing always
to full houses and has been an extremely popular event in
the Village Hall calendar. It has been something which
benefits the community because it has been a chance for the
village to get together, and have a thoroughly enjoyable
evening. The Village Hall has benefited too, because it has
been an excellent fund raiser, and so too has Chalkfoot
because it has helped with its fundraising. The very varied
and impressive choice of programmes has been an enlightening
experience for all members of the community over the
years.
In all the years that I have been going to the productions
(and in recent years running the Box Office) I have come
away entertained and immensely impressed by the high
standard of acting, I cannot remember a single occasion when
a line has been forgotten or when anything has gone
wrong.
In the opinion of this Committee it would be a very great
shame if the Arts Council's short-sighted intention not to
renew Chalkfoot's funding goes ahead, since this would
inevitably force the closure of this worthwhile
organisation.
Ruth Bellord Chairman, Village Hall Committee
Dear Mr Hill
I do understand that you are in no way responsible for the
appalling decision to refuse Chalkfoot Theatre further Arts
Council funding, but hope that you will pass on to those who
may yet be influenced the very strong feelings of those,
like myself, who will be denied a chance to see live
professional theatre in their villages.
As you know, the company employs young actors on the verge
of their careers; they are keen, enormously hard-working and
very talented. They bring to life both original plays and
skilful adaptations, not just from our own culture but from
diverse ethnic backgrounds. Every year they have come to
Bossingham village hall they have played to full houses of
enthusiastic locals, many of whom would not have dreamed
that such entertainment was for them but who come back now
as regular devotees. This is true outreach!
I have been privileged to see all of their productions over
the last six years, even enjoying one (The Ragged Trousered
Philanthropists) while on holiday in the Cotswolds &endash;
so it is clearly not just our immediate region that will
miss such talented and committed players.
I urge you to throw every ounce of your weight behind the
company’s appeal. Our region has little enough in the
way of live arts, and cannot afford to lose this - with the
temporary closure of the Marlowe Theatre, Bossingham and
other villages round Canterbury will be doubly deprived. For
most of us the live theatre of London is impossibly
expensive and the journey long and tedious. We need
Chalkfoot because &endash; quite simply &endash; there is
nothing else.
Yours sincerely
Judith Cutler - Best-selling author and Former secretary,
Bossingham Village Hall Committee
Dear Mr. Hill,
I refer to Judith Cutler's email below and wish to endorse
all that she has said.
The villages of Bossingham, Stelling Minnis and those in the
surrounding area have enjoyed Chalkfoot's productions
immensely and are now looking forward to the visit in
February with Laurel and Hardy.
Chalkfoot has performed to full houses each time it has
appeared at Bossingham Village Hall as for many this is
their only opportunity of seeing live theatre.
PLEASE ensure that a debate is held as soon as possible
within KCC to discuss the decision taken by the Arts Council
England South East to cease its funding of Chalkfoot's
activities, in an effort to ensure that this is
countermanded.
To say we would miss Chalkfoot's visits to the hall is a
gross understatement. Rather, we NEED them to continue ad
infinitum...for the whole community's sake, especially for
the youngsters.
David Barlow (Secretary Bossingham Village Hall
Management Committee).
Dear Mr Hill,
I am devastated to learn that Arts Council England South
East are proposing to cancel funding for Chalkfoot. We have
recently hosted two of their productions in our Village
Hall, which were well attended by an appreciative local
audience.
It will often be the only chance that many of our audiences
get to see a professional production. It also provides an
opportunity for young writers to hone their skills.
These opportunities are also helpful for Village societies
to learn more about staging their own productions and
overcoming the difficulties often encountered.
I serve on our local (Sevenoaks & District) Arts Council
and am aware of the pressures on funding. However the way
that these schemes with young production companies are put
together represent an excellent way to obtain best value,
whilst bringing together the audience and actors in a way
that benefits both.
I sincerely hope that this decision can be reversed and we
can all continue to enjoy these excellent occasions.
Yours Sincerely,
Richard Burraston - Shoreham (Kent) Village
Players.
Dear Councillor Hill,
I am writing to add my name to, I'm sure, the already long
list of equally horrified people who will, if the Arts
Council decision to withdraw funding stands, be deprived of
an immense source of pleasure. Having seen several
outstanding performances by Chalkfoot, I consider that it
outclasses many London and established provincial theatres
in what it produces. Now that it is increasingly difficult
to travel far by road or public transport for evening
performances, Chalkfoot and similar travelling companies
offer an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy high quality
entertainment. Interest in theatre is sparked by local
productions, and to withdraw funding from such initiatives
as Chalkfoot is therefore striking at the trunk of theatre
in Britain, not at minor branches.
I do hope that your appeal against this short-sighted
decision is successful.
Yours sincerely,
Amy Myers
Dear Mr Kent
I am writing to you regarding the Arts Council's decision to
withdraw the funding from Chalkfoot. I have been entertained
by Chalkfoot productions for many years now and cannot
praise their expertise, professionalism and organisation
enough.
Originally I am came across their work as a spectator, but
in the last three years as an events organiser. Chalkfoot
have now performed three productions in our Village Hall and
we have no problem in selling the seats. It would be a great
shame if Chalkfoot folded as Theatre in local Village Hall
takes the Arts to those who would not normally be able to
experience live theatre, especially the older element of the
community.
Chalkfoot are a very professional production company and a
delight to do business with, and it would be such a great
shame if they did not receive further funding to
continue.
Kind regards
Jenny Overy, on behalf of Bapchild Village Hall
Management Committee.
I understand that the Arts Council intend to cease their
funding support to Chalkfoot and would hope that you will
pursue the matter in your role as KCC member for Community
Services.
Chalkfoot have been visiting Barham village hall for some
years now, and the village always looks forward to their
productions, tickets invariably selling out quickly. The
standard of acting and presentation is exemplary, and the
audiences are ever appreciative. Some recent productions
('Emma' and 'The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists') have
been particularly well-received.
The Chalkfoot visits do help to maintain the community
spirit in the village and the hall benefits from a welcome
surge of interest and income.
I do hope you will support Chalkfoot's appeal to have this
decision overturned.
Yours sincerely,
Roger Allin - Chair, Barham Village Hall Management
Committee
Dear Mr Hill
I was quite devastated to hear the news that the Arts
Council have withdrawn funding for Chalkfoot Theatre and
that the spring tour 2008 will be their last. I have been
promoting Chalkfoot's plays for the last 5 or 6 years and I
always feel privileged that my village hall has been
selected for a performance and I am asked through the year
by local people when the next performance will be. I cannot
understand why such a successful and professional enterprise
should loose funding when the benefit to the community is so
apparent. The children's productions have introduced many
youngsters to the delights of live theatre in informal
surroundings and a love of the theatre at an early age will
stay with them for the rest of their lives. I know that
Higham village community will feel the loss of this cut.
Villagers are very supportive of local performances and
surrounding villages are also keen to attend. Not all the
plays are well known and the adaptation of "The ragged
trousered philanthropists" from a very heavy book to a very
watchable play was a masterpiece. I am sure I wasn't the
only audience member that has given up on the book in the
past.
So to summarise:
The loss of the plays will result in a reduction in the
educational possibilities for children, especially those
whose parent cannot afford full price theatre tickets. It
will also result in a loss to the village of a valuable
social and educational function especially elderly folks who
are unable to afford or unable to get to theatre venus. From
a personal point of view, I will loose the opportunity to
support my village, involve new residents to the village and
invite them to the plays, and make new friends.
If you are able to put a case to the Arts Council to restore
the funding I and many people in my Higham will be very
grateful.
Sally Starbuck,
Dear Mr Hill.
I am writing to express my concerns about the Arts Council
England South East stating that they do not intend to renew
funding for Chalkfoot Theatre Arts.
As the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community
Services including the Arts Portfolio, I am sure that you
are aware of the excellent work which Chalkfoot have
undertaken to bring professional touring theatre to rural
venues in Kent and the South East.
For many years Woodchurch Players have hosted their
productions and acting skills workshops with very successful
outcomes. Their work has been a highlight of professional
acting in our rural community.
Having seen the results of Philip Dart’s and Claudia
Leaf’s work I know that they are a dedicated team which
Kent cannot afford to loose.
I should be grateful, therefore, if you would support
Chalkfoot’s appeal against the Arts Council England
South East cut in funding for a unique service to village
communities.
Yours sincerely,
John Hart
Dear Sir,
It is with much regret and sadness that I learn the Arts
Council England South East is to withdraw it's funding from
the Chalkfoot Theatre Company. For many years they have
toured the south east, coming twice a year to our village of
Upchurch. Once in the winter/spring at the Village Hall and
during the summer in the Paddock in the centre of the
village, where they perform open air productions, such as
Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.
These have always been well supported and enjoyed by parents
and young children alike!
Much voluntary effort goes into supporting the theatre
company at every production, from box offices to preparing
and clearing the sites after each visit.
Not only will the village of Upchurch lose a very valuable
community function, but so many other villages in the south
east that Chalkfoot visit will also suffer.
As one of the volunteer organisers with the local box office
may I earnestly request that the Arts Council reconsider
this very sad decision.
I am certain that I am not alone in asking for a change of
heart and look forward to hearing that Chalkfoot will again
be visiting us.
Yours faithfully
James S Harman
Dear Councillor Hill
I am writing to you as KCC Cabinet Member responsible for
the Arts Portfolio about the decision of Arts Council
England South East to withdraw funding for Chalkfoot Theatre
Arts (Channel Theatre Trust Ltd).
The WI in Mersham has hosted Chalkfoot productions at the
Mountbatten Hall over the past ten years which have
attracted audiences of up to one hundred (max. permitted)
and have become part of the village calendar: we have
enjoyed many different plays ranging from the classics to
stories dealing with modern day issues - all interesting,
stimulating and always performed to a high professional
standard. It is an opportunity for the local community to
enjoy live professional theatre locally and its loss to this
village and to many other villages in Kent will be sadly
felt if the ACESE decision in implemented.
I would also mention the work undertaken by Chalkfoot in
Kent schools - surely no better introduction to the Arts for
our youngsters?
I do hope that KCC will support Chalkfoot’s appeal
against the decision so that village communities in Kent may
continue to experience their excellent work.
Yours sincerely
J Dean - Secretary, Mersham Womens Institute
We were surprised and disappointed to learn that the Arts
Council intends to cut off the lifeblood (cash) to Chalkfoot
Theatre Arts. I understand that in 2006/7 Chalkfoot played
to an audience of over 27,000 adults and children in the SE
region. Very importantly , included in these numbers, they
provide us in Brasted with virtually our only artistic
activity with plays very often based on the life/county of
Kent. We regard them as travelling players retaining the
spirit of village life. We fully support Chalkfoot - this
year as our part in supporting them we will not receive any
entrance income. Not surprisingly free admission has widened
the makeup of the audience.
We consider Chalkfoot provide an art form distinct from
amateur dramatics which are based primarily on entertainment
for the actors themselves and really only attract an
audience of friends and relatives.
I would also raise the environmental issue that by
supporting Chalkfoot the entertainment is going to the homes
rather than people having to get in their cars to go to the
players.
We hope that our views and experience will encourage you to
request the Arts Council to maintain their support of
Chalkfoot.
Judith Udale - Brasted Village Hall
Dear Cllr Hill
Re: Proposed withdrawal of funding to Chalkfoot by the Arts
Council
I write as Clerk to Upchurch Parish Council.
Upchurch has benefitted from the performances given in our
village for several years, by the Chalkfoot Theatre
Company.
We have been lucky enough to have had visits during each
winter to our Village Hall and also each summer in the open
air in The Paddock, a green area in the middle of our
village of Upchurch. The performances are excellent,
obviously well rehearsed and a result of much work and
thought, with ingenious effects as well as wonderful actors
involved.
These events are always well attended and much appreciated
by our residents and the audiences include people of all
ages.
The withdrawal of Arts Council funding to Chalkfoot will
have a detrimental effect on our village, both in terms of
recreational enjoyment, but also our Village Hall will
suffer from the lack of income - another, indirect
effect.
We support any appeal to the Arts Council and any help that
you, as KCC Cabinet member for Community Services, can give
this excellent Theatre Company, to enable it to carry on
with its valuable work.
Yours sincerely
Mrs S E Rossiter - Upchurch Parish Clerk
Dear Councillor Hill,
We were once again privileged to be entertained by the
Chalkfoot Channel Theatre group at Norton Village Hall.
Their interpretation of Hans Andersen's fairy tale 'The
Emperor's New Clothes' was, as expected, excellent and
thoroughly enjoyed by all. Audience participation and the
interaction of the children with the actors together with
the laughter that it produced all enriched the evening. The
young multi talented and energetic cast of three also
erected, moved and dismantled the scenery and packed it into
their van at the end of the show.
Chalkfoot is not a large company, but their productions have
a high impact on local rural communities. Chalkfoot has
become well loved and has attracted a considerable local
following that look forward to their next production. I have
received comments from parents and grandparents who have
eagerly requested that I reserve tickets for the Christmas
show. One grandmother told me that she regularly took her
grand children to the Marlowe in Canterbury at Christmas,
but the escalating cost of this put it beyond her reach, and
she was delighted that the Chalkfoot professional
performances at the local village hall enabled her to treat
the children again.
The goodwill and enjoyment, generated through innovative and
professional efforts, is something that should not be
undervalued. Since central government insists that the South
East is to provide more housing for the growing population,
there is an even greater need for the provision of
entertainment in rural communities. Arts Council funding
enables professional theatrical and musical performances to
be easily available to these communities. This provision
helps reduce audience Carbon Footprints since many are able
to walk to the Village Hall. Such events encourage social
interaction, creating a more friendly and caring
neighbourhood.
By withdrawing the support of the Arts Council, without
whose subsidy the cost would put 'Chalkfoot Theatre Arts'
and 'Applause' performances out of the reach of small
communities, it puts the very existence of such companies in
jeopardy and we therefore ask you to reconsider your
proposal to cease this funding.
Yours sincerely
Sheila Wood - (Secretary Norton Village Hall Management
Committee)
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Sir the Councillor,
It is with the profound regret that I learnt the next
disappearance of the CHALKFOOT THEATRE COMPANY. I attended
twice their shows. Although it was sometimes difficult for
me to understand the texts, I found there of a great
interest for our twinning with the village of Upchurch.
Indeed this type of performance enters the objectives of
approach of our two countries with a better understanding of
our languages and of our cultures.
Conscious of the importance of the knowledge that can pass
on the Theatrical Company CHALKFOOT THEATER COMPANY to our
two populations, Sir the Ferques's mayor, Mister Denis JOLY,
joins to my wish of preservation of the activity of this
group.
I would be present and would show of this fact my support to
this Troop which next March 1st will occur to Upchuch, to
attend, for my greater pleasure, the interpretation of
Laurel and Hardy. I dare to hope, for all for those that as
us appreciate the work of the CHALKFOOT THEATRE COMPANY,
that this show will not be the last one.
I thank you for the attention that you carry to this
message, that, I hope for it will be able to intervene in a
positive way in the decision which will be taken.
Christian FINANCE (President of the Ferques' twinning
committee - FERQUES - FRANCE)
Dear Mr Hill
I understand that you are the Kent County Council Cabinet
member for Community Services and therefore I am sending
this email to you. I write as secretary of THE SHEPHERDSWELL
VILLAGE HALL as we are very disappointed to learn of the
threat to Chalkfoot Theatre Arts by the withdrawal of their
funding by the Arts Council England South East.
Many people in our community are for one reason or another
unable to travel out to see theatre productions and often
families with children cannot afford theatre prices as well
as travel/fares and therefore our villagers look forward
each year to a very professional production in their own
village hall. This makes for an important community and
family event which is so important in the present
environment.
These performances are done in such a professional way and
many people would seldom get the opportunity to see these
varied productions if it wasn't for Chalkfoot's visits
around our County. They have built such a good reputation
and become well known throughout Kent, not only in villages
but for their work within local schools. They are a County
asset and would be a great community loss.
Over the past eight years that I personally have been
involved as Hall secretary and attended their events, varied
as they have been, (Moll Flanders, The London Merchant,
Creation, Emma, Ragged Trousered Philanthropist, Spooky
Little Girl, Never Ever After and now looking forward to
Laurel & Hardy!) I have never seen a poor production and
our hall is usually transformed by the lighting and stage
equipment. The whole Chalkfoot production team should be
credited and I, among the thousands in rural Kent, would
miss their annual visit enormously.
This annual production is also a good financial asset in the
running of The Shepherdswell village hall as we are able to
enlarge on the ticket sale percentage given to us by the
selling of interval refreshments which boosts our funds for
the upkeep whilst giving people the opportunity to talk and
socialise. Should the Chalkfoot Theatre Arts cease to
continue then this would be a loss to our community
also.
We hope that you may have some influence in changing the
ACESE proposal.
Yours sincerely
Jenny Crascall , Secretary - Shepherdswell Village Hall
Dear Cllr Jones,
Chalkfoot Theatre Arts
We were dismayed to hear that the Arts Council grant for
this company has been cancelled this year.
We have enjoyed their production for many years, without
which most of our audience could not experience live
professional entertainment. Their productions take place in
our Hall after arriving in the afternoon setting up the
stage, lights and sound and after the production, they have
to pack it all away again and move off to another venue.
They are extremely skilful and enthusiastic.
In a notoriously difficult profession, what bothers our
Committee even more, is that this vital layer of opportunity
for actors will disappear and our long tradition in this
country of dramatic art will be the poorer.
Catsfield has always participated in opportunities of this
kind and regularly welcome 50 - 60 people to our shows. We
remember when ESCC itself has a splendid programme of art
for young and old, music, puppets and theatrical
performances, all of which greatly added to the richness of
village life.
We urge you to take any action you can to support the
wonderful people who give us the opportunity to take part in
such life-enhancing events.
Yours sincerely,
Ann Davey, - Hon Secretary, Catsfield Village Hall
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