Most of us working at J&PR are keen theatre goers so we were thrilled to hear the news that Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn has received a significant funding boost.
Local performers take to the stage
The theatre won an award from Arts Council England Lottery Funding ahead of its first ever in-house production – William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which opens on Tuesday for an eight performance run.
Staff at Theatre Severn submitted the funding application earlier this year.
Alongside the production, the venue has offered an education programme to local schools and also held open auditions in February, at which a number of local performers were added to the professional cast.
We love it when theatres get involved with the local community and encourage home-grown talent – and it was partly due to that reason that the Arts Council award was given to the theatre.
Macbeth is directed by Loveday Ingram, who recently earned rave reviews for her production of Aphra Behn’s The Rover for The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon.
She said the project at Theatre Severn is one that will help engage local audiences in a new way.
She said: “We always knew that we wanted Macbeth to be supported by education workshops as engaging young audiences with Shakespeare is something I am passionate about.
“It’s part of the reason that I wanted to work alongside a community cast. Other venues run similar projects but this would be the first of its kind for Shropshire. What an amazing opportunity to offer aspiring performers!”
The cast of Macbeth features Patrick Robinson in the title role, familiar to audiences for his role as ‘Ash’ in Casualty and Holby City.
A limited number of tickets are still available at the Theatre Severn Box Office, by telephone (01743 281281) and online at www.theatresevern.co.uk
Congratulations to Theatre Severn from everyone here at J&PR.
