The Gladstone Theatre has thanked Jimmy Cricket for his support during its fund-raising campaign.
Based at Port Sunlight on The Wirral, the Gladstone is hoping to raise £50,000 to save it from “imminent closure”.
It has so far received about £15,000 from donations.
“Jimmy always brings the fun & laughter to our stage and we can’t wait to welcome him back!
“Give the video below a watch crowdfunder.co.uk/save-the-glads #SaveOurTheatres.”
The theatre has told the public: “We need you now more than ever.
“The COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted the Gladstone Theatre with our full programme of shows being cancelled or postponed.
“We are a non-profit charitable organisation who receive no regular public funding and we rely on our ticket sales and generous donations from the public to maintain our theatre.”
It added: “We play a vital role in the cultural and economic environment of the local area and with our main income source having disappeared upon our closure in March, with no certainty on when we can reopen, we are asking for your help.
“We need to raise funds to ‘save our theatre’ from imminent closure and allow us to reopen our doors!”
Your donations will help us:
- Survive the next six months
- Continue to deliver the high quality shows you know and love with a warm friendly atmosphere to The Wirral and wider communities
- Enable us to continue our crucial day-to-day work
- Adapt our building to become “Covid-secure” with measures including the likes of:
- Thermal imaging cameras
- E-ticketing equipment to avoid contact
- Anti-viral door handles & sanitation stations
- Social distancing signage & Perspex Partitioning
- Covid-19 risk assessments
“As a theatre we engage with our community and provide a platform for people to develop and express their creativity enhancing local creative skills both on and off stage.
“Any support we receive really does mean the world to us and our campaign to survive this crisis.”
History of the Gladstone Theatre
Known as Wirral’s hidden gem, the Gladstone Theatre was founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever, the founder of Lever Brothers, now known as Unilever, to house his soap factory workers.
It was subsequently used as an assembly and recreation hall for entertainment, political meetings, films, dance and lectures, something it still hosts to this day.
The Port Sunlight venue hosted Jimmy’s popular comedy play No more Fiffing and Faffing in October 2019.
Also read: Gladstone Theatre: A wonderful afternoon and great evening
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