Clown helps launch £1m theatre refurb appeal

Tweedy the clown turned up in hard hat and high-vis vest ready to start work

A £1m fundraising appeal to open a new arts centre has been launched by a clown, who found himself helping with the renovations.

Tweedy the clown knocked down a wall at the old community centre in Grove Street, Cheltenham, which has been bought by the Everyman Theatre.

The theatre hopes to open the building as a new arts and education centre next spring and aims to give disadvantaged children, young people and adults access to the performing arts.

Mark Goucher, chief executive, said: "The theatre is still seen as a bit posh and a bit elitist but I want kids from this area and their parents to get involved down here and I hope we can make a difference."

Mr Goucher said he saw the building for the first time last year and persuaded the board to spend £300,000 on it.

As the building is not in the "greatest of shapes", Mr Goucher said the fundraiser will help the Everyman Theatre "transform this building into a fit-for-purpose community and education building".

"The building is going to be used by our education community department for workshops, for youth theatre, for summer schools, for choirs, for senior dance groups," he said.

"I hope it will be a tremendous asset for the community."

'Friendly faces'

Tweedy said he thinks the new space will "make a huge difference".

"The Everyman could just put shows on but, for me, The Everyman has always had a great community," he said.

"I always feel like I'm coming home at pantomime time because there's so many friendly faces that have been there such a long time, so to make that whole feeling, that whole community grow into a bigger thing, is great."

Safa Hamza said being involved in theatre has helped her come out of her shell

Safa Hamza works with the Everyman Youth Theatre and said her confidence has grown through theatre classes.

She added this is an experience she hopes more young people will be able to have at the new education centre, which is off Cheltenham's high street.

"Having it in town is so much easier for everyone, there's lots of ways to get here," she said.

"I really think it will bring everyone so much closer... everyone can have fun, and I just genuinely think that is what it's all about."