Theatre director hopes to boost city's confidence

A theatre has welcomed a nationally renowned playwright and TV writer as its new director who aims to help the people of Coventry feel more confident.

Alan Pollock has returned to the city where he grew up and wants his new role at The Albany Theatre to give people an opportunity to express themselves.

Mr Pollock, who is best-known for his play One Night in November, which is about the Coventry Blitz, said he had noticed a "lack of confidence" in the local community.

"The City of Culture [in 2021] was an attempt to deal with it, but places like The Albany are an offer to people to come and tell their story."

Mr Pollock had been writing a community play about Spon End for the theatre, when he found out former CEO and artistic director Kevin Shaw was leaving.

He had visited the theatre at the end of last year, during a stage production of his children's book, The Bear Who Went to War, and was amazed by the way the venue looked, following its £3m redevelopment.

'This incredible city'

"I just fell in love with it, it's just a beautiful space," Mr Pollock said.

He added his band had performed there in 1978 helping him feel "connected with the space for a very long time".

"It's always felt like home, I've lived all over the world, I've worked in theatres all over the world, but I've got this strong bond to this incredible city," he continued.

"On April 16 I was offered the job and, astonishingly, the next day my father died.

"In two days, I'd gone from writing plays in a shed in Gloucestershire, to running a theatre in Coventry and I am now living in my teenage bedroom in Allesley Park four days a week.

"It's been quite a year", Mr Pollock added.

The Albany Theatre in Coventry reopened in October after £3m of redevelopment work was completed

The theatre's origins are in community musical theatre societies and the city's dance schools, which are still very much a "part of who we are", Mr Pollock said.

He described the venue as "the professional community theatre" and said he wanted to make it a place where Midlands writers, actors and performers "feel at home".

The new director said finances were a "balancing act" as the theatre was not fully subsidised, but said it hosted events, such as tribute nights, to help raise vital funds.

"We don't have subsidiary, but we've got the space and everybody is welcome," he added.