Save The Bristol Improve Theatre – Popular Venue At Risk Of Closure

The UK’s first full time dedicated improv theatre started here in Bristol, but now needs help

A much-loved theatre has launched an urgent fundraising campaign after fears were raised that the venue might not survive the summer.

The Bristol Improv Theatre on St Pauls Road in Clifton, has launched the – Save The Bristol Improve Theatre campaign – this week. Without support, the venue could close within the next three months.

Artistic Director of Bristol Improv Theatre, Kierann Shah said: “However people choose to support us, it really does make a difference. The more people that come to our shows and classes, donate, or tell their friends, the better chance the theatre has of not just surviving, but achieving our vision as a charity. This is a time when people need joy, creativity, laughter and connection more than ever, and we truly want to continue bringing those benefits to people.”

The theatre is the UK’s first full time dedicated venue for improv theatre, recently become a charity. It receives no public funding. It’s hoped the new fundraising campaign – which aims to raise £20,000 – will enable the theatre to keep their doors open and transition to a sustainable business model. This will enable to them to continue with their charity work.

Three key actions form the campaign. The theatre urges people to donate to the campaign, buy tickets for events or simply tell others about their work.

A ‘perfect storm of an ‘extremely challenging economic landscape’ alongside increased running costs and a reduction in audience spend is the cause of the theatre’s crisis.

Bristol Improv Theatre, like many other grassroots venues, relies on ticket sales, venue hire and bar sales at shows to keep its doors open.

The difficult economic landscape has been hitting Bristol theatre and arts organisations in the last couple of years with some having to stop operating altogether.

The theatre’s long-term plans include making the public spaces in the venue fully accessible and expanding their community work across the city.

The Save the Bristol Improv Theatre campaign will be running from now until late September.

There will be a charity fundraiser event on Friday 26 July 2024 as part of the Improv Appreciation weekend.

For more information about Bristol Improv Theatre, what’s on, events and its important campaign, visit: improvtheatre.co.uk/donate

Featured Image: Lee Pullen

Backstagebristol.com
www.instagram.com/backstagebristol
TikTok
YouTube
YouTube Shorts
https://www.facebook.com/backstagebristol