Well, that’s that.

In the words of Mr Ballas: “Well, that’s that.”

I never know quite what to say (or how to feel) immediately after a play, so I’m going to let the wonderful posters which decorated our set do the talking. If you saw Memorandum, this will give you a chance to read the small print – and, if you didn’t, this will give you a sense of the surreal world you missed…

Thanks – once again – to anyone who was involved in any way and to all those who came to support. Onwards…

elaru xxx

All posters designed by Ben Brighouse – who also played Staff Watcher in the show. Many, many thanks to him – and also a special mention to Dan Charnley – http://www.dancharnley.co.uk – who created the Furious Apple found on the Strange Fruit poster.

My Theatre Matters – So Does Yours!

Earlier today I signed up to the #mytheatrematters campaign: http://www.mytheatrematters.com/

Why? Because I believe my theatre matters. And yours. And I believe our country would be immeasurably poorer (in every sense) without them.

My local theatre, as well as the city of Lancaster, serves a wide-spread rural community in a network of small towns and villages. It has a high quality and varied programme of live productions – classics, new writing, pantomime, live music, stand-up comedy, children’s shows, touring shows; it screens a wide range of films; it hosts and produces exhibitions and talks; it houses a cafe and bar; it supports new and emerging artists; it has a thriving youth theatre. Its audiences are good and demographically diverse and it aims to encourage this still further through schemes such as a Young People’s Pass. It undoubtedly adds to the local community’s life.

It should never have to justify its existence or fight for its survival. Nor should any of the great producing theatres in this country.

For a wider discussion of the role of theatre and culture in our society, please read my previous blog “My Case For Culture”, which was inspired by The Guardian’s Case For Culture: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/interactive/2012/dec/07/case-for-culture-100-voices?fb=nativeby

I hope that you – like me – will support our theatres. They need us – and we need them!

elaru xx