Cheltenham Playhouse is reaching out to the local community to help save it from closure, asking for short-term financial donations to help keep the doors open.
The community theatre launched its ambitous £80k for 80 years fundraiser earlier in 2025, including a 24-hour monologue challenge, which will see actors, poets and members of the community perform monologues for 24 hours straight from 9am on Saturday 31 May until 9am on Sunday 1 June 2025, as part of Cheltenham Fringe Festival.
So far this year, the local community has donated £30,000 to the charity, with comedians, musicians, poets and performers also donating their time thoughout the Fringe Festival to help with the fundraising efforts, but Cheltenham Playhouse's newly appointed trustees say much more needs to be done in the short-term to save the historic venue from permanent closure.
Chair for the board of trustees, Neil Burge, said: 'We are trying to rebuild after a number of tough trading years. The finances we inherited were in a desperate state. The huge gestures of financial support we have received from our community since our publicity earlier in the year have kept us going this far and allowed us to rebuild a level of financial reserve; we know that we would have had to encounter this decision a lot earlier without it.
'However, we are reaching a point where we simply don’t have the depth of funds to keep the doors open, particularly looking after an old building which is expensive to run and maintain.
'Our financial forecasting leaves us hopeful that we have a long-term future; the societies and groups using the theatre are regular and loyal and we can see a scenario where, with robust management going forward, we survive. What we can’t get over is the short-term cash flow problem and this is leaving us in a critical situation.
'We have so much to look forward to in this beautiful building. We have a schedule of amazing theatre and comedy and our own Fringe Festival... Not to mention our pantomime plans for 2025. But unless we receive some urgent help and funds, there is a high risk that the theatre won’t continue.'
The Grade II-listed theatre is home to a 180-seat auditorium, as well as the Green Room Bar and rehearsal spaces, employed by local companies, creatives and events, including the recent Cheltenham Poetry Festival. It employs a number of full- and part-time staff, as well as being supported by a network of volunteers.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to Cheltenham Playhouse can do so as part of Cheltenham Fringe Festival, which takes place from Monday 26 May until Sunday 1 June 2025, or via its JustGiving 80 for 80 campaign.
For larger donations, email the Cheltenham Playhouse board directly at board@cheltplayhouse.org.uk.
