Theatre set for revival

The Robin Hood Theatre, Averham, is set to be taken over by its theatre company as part of plans to re-open it.

Nottinghamshire County Council has agreed to relinquish its role as trustee for the theatre, which closed in 2006 after failing to meet health and safety standards.

In its place a charitable company called the Robin Hood Theatre Company Ltd will become the trustee, with sole responsibility for both the theatre and the company.

A board of directors will replace the management committee currently in control of the theatre.

The committee is partly appointed by the county council, partly by the Church of England, and partly by the theatre company. Only directors appointed by the theatre company will sit on the new board.

The chairman of the theatre company, Mr Geoff Morgan, said a company limited by guarantee was the preferred option rather than a group of individuals taking personal responsibility and liability.

“It does not put the onus on individuals and enables the future membership to control the destiny of the theatre,” he said.

The legal documents for setting up the new company have been completed by Mr Andrew Fearn of Langleys Solicitors, of Lincoln, and are about to be sent to Companies House.

Mr Morgan hoped the process would be finished by late autumn.

A fundraising campaign will be launched soon to raise the £250,000 required to restore the 97-year-old theatre.

When it closed a report by safety inspectors revealed fire hazards including no fire alarms, no emergency lighting if fire cut out the electrics, and fire exits that were obstructed, unsigned or hazardous.

The theatre company hopes to carry out basic work themselves to reduce costs and bring in contractors for specialist work.

Mr Morgan said they did not need to raise all the money required as cash as they hoped labour would be donated as well.

He said the theatre would be in use before all the restoration work was completed because they would open each area as it was finished.

The company is working with a surveyor to plan a phased scheme of work.

The area that needs the least work is the bar, kitchen and supper room, which was used for rehearsals.

“We can make that safe quite quickly then we can start using that area for meetings and rehearsals,” Mr Morgan said.

He said it would probably be another year before the theatre could be used for performances.

Once the theatre re-opens Mr Morgan said they wanted to see it being used by other groups. One possibility is performing arts students at Newark College as they have no theatre of their own.

Since the Robin Hood Theatre closed in December 2006 the theatre company has continued its programme of plays by touring other venues.

The company’s honorary theatre director, Mrs José King, said she was thrilled they would soon be returning to the theatre.