Theatre fighting back as arts face financial trials

Kieron Milsom (left), pictured with Matt Nolan (right)

A Gloucestershire theatre is tackling its cost problems as the arts sector continues to struggle nationally.

Bosses at the Cheltenham Playhouse are keeping ticket prices accessible and controlling costs at the bar.

Bosses at the theatre are also trying to spread the word more about how important the arts and drama can be.

The building itself housed the former Montpellier Baths, dating back to 1806.

Chief executive, Kieron Milson said the building is Grade II listed, which adds to the challenge of maintaining it

Kieron Milsom, the chief executive of the playhouse, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "You can't ignore the fantastic heritage opportunities that we're given, to be able to maintain and keep a theatre going through these challenging times.

"It's challenging. It's a Grade II-listed building which, at the moment, we're responsible for maintaining," he said.

"It is difficult because it's so old. For example, a couple of nights ago, one of our roofs sprung a leak.

"Even things like our gas and electric bill are phenomenal. It's all the hidden costs [to maintain the building]."

Mr Milsom said it costs more than £1,000 a day to keep the playhouse's doors open, with the "entirely self-sufficient" group relying on ticket sales and visitors.

"Nationally, it is a challenging time for all theatres, particularly those without additional funding - and in our case we receive no fixed funding from the local authority, only a proposed rent relief.

"Even if we sold out every performance, we would not have sufficient funds to maintain the theatre - and so finding additional funding is really important."

Mr Milsom said £100k would be "genuinely transformative".

Matt Nolan, a heritage volunteer at the playhouse, said: "This was one of the few theatres to open during the Second World War.

"So even in a time of national crisis, we were really stiff upper lipped which is really fitting, I think."