Suranne’s playwright challenge aims to soften theatre budget blow

The new Budget is likely to put a £25,000 black hole in Sheringham Little Theatre’s finances.

The grim news was delivered to the annual meeting by chairman Jonathan Beak while explaining that it was already “a struggle” to balance the books at the charity-run community arts venue – even with the help of grants, plus generous donations and legacies. But the theatre is already looking at ways to increase income with initiatives – including a new Norfolk playwriting competition backed by its president, star actor Suranne Jones. The budget blows comes through a combination of increased National Insurance contributions and minimum wage levels. Mr Beak told the meeting of theatre members: “As a small venue of 160 seats, that’s a lot of money for us to fund.”

It had already been a difficult year with ticket sales down 30pc on pre-pandemic levels, so the theatre was having to adapt with new events such as bingo and quizzes in its successful Hub coffee bar and staging more tribute music acts. Another income generating initiative was to add extra performances to shows that were selling well. Grants from country, district and town councils helped but general running costs were already on the rise.

So the venue needed extra income generated by fundraising events, commercial sponsorship and donations, the meeting was told.

The theatre charity had also received a generous legacy and gift from the late Hilary Allard and her brother Roger, which is being put in a development fund for projects including new LED lighting and heating improvements to help lower power bills. Suranne Jones announced brief details of a playwright competition which will be sponsored by her and her producer husband Laurence Akers, through their production company TeamAkers Productions.

She told the meeting: “We will be calling on all writers in the Norfolk area to tell us a story. Judges will choose two winning plays which will be read to an audience and be discussed by me and my husband. It will combine a search for community talent with being a money-maker.” And she added: “I love the Little Theatre, and its toasted sandwiches.”

Suranne urged local people to support the venue by providing raffle prizes to help at fundraising events, which she had done in recent weeks. Anyone with prizes to offer should visit the box office or email marketing@sheringhamlittletheatre.com