Theatre secures new grant after £460k funding cut

The Watermill Theatre lost more than £460,000 of funding in 2023

A Berkshire theatre that had its funding slashed last year has now secured a new grant.

The Watermill Theatre in Newbury lost £464,000 from Arts Council England in 2023, but successful funding bids mean it will now receive £118,842.

Watermill development director Steph Dewar said the money was "incredibly important" and would make a "huge difference" to the theatre.

The venue was recognised at the Stage Awards 2024 after staging a successful musical adaptation of the Lord of the Rings to raise funds.

The theatre said the grant would be used to improve accessibility and wheelchair access, increase auditorium capacity and to make improvements to the venue's facilities.

Executive director Claire Murray previously said there had been a "heartening" response from the community when the venue's funding was cut.

It included actress Dame Judi Dench, who Ms Murray said has been a "long-time supporter" of the theatre.

Dame Judi described the theatre as "a jewel in the heart of Berkshire that deserves to be supported and relished and celebrated".

Some of the funding will be used to fix parts of the theatre's infrastructure

In addition to the Arts Council funding, the theatre also got a £5,000 grant from Theatres Trust Small Grants Programme.

The funding from the organisations will be used to install hearing loops and purchase open captioning equipment, as well as replace some of the iconic theatre's worn infrastructure.

The Watermill said the money would also be used to help make the theatre more environmentally-friendly, for example by purchasing an electric van and installing car charging points.

"The funding enables us to carry out some really important works that we wouldn't otherwise be able to do," said Ms Dewar.

Hazel Edwards, south east area director at Arts Council England, said the money would help expand "access to arts, culture, and creative pursuits".