Theatre soon to be off limits

The water supply is set to be cut off at Averham’s disused Robin Hood Theatre.

It means the building — closed in 2006 after failing to meet fire safety standards — is likely to be sealed off because of potential health risks.

The theatre director, Mrs Jose King, said risks included the possibility of legionnaire’s disease resulting from stagnant water in the pipes.

She said they were told by Nottinghamshire County Council, the theatre’s trustees, the water would be turned off soon and then the building was likely to be sealed.

As a result, the Robin Hood Theatre Company is appealing for storage space to keep costumes, props, lighting and sound equipment that had been kept at the theatre.

The company, performing at Collingham Memorial Hall until tomorrow, has to take all its equipment to its various venues.

Mrs King said they had planned the company’s programme until June next year so knew what equipment would be needed until then, but she did not know how long the theatre could be sealed for.

Discussions on the future of the building appear to be ongoing.

Consultants working on behalf of the trustees are assessing responses given by people who attended a meeting at Kelham Hall in January to consider the way forward for the theatre.

Those at the meeting were asked what sort of community building or space for activities they thought was needed, what sort of community activities they would like to see, and if there were any groups that could potentially use the building.

The results will form part of a feasibility report the county council will use when deciding what to do with the building.

Mrs King said: “If it is going to re-open it can’t just be used by the Robin Hood Theatre Company anymore.

“There has got to be people who will actually regularly use the theatre.

“If we can get these people to commit then of course we can work out the sort of finances that can come in.

“They need to know before spending the money to put it right that it is sustainable, certainly for the first three years.”

Anyone willing to offer storage can call Mrs King on 01636 706097.