Dame Judi Dench calls for support for East Riding Theatre

Dame Judi Dench, Patron of East Riding Theatre, Oscar winning actress, is calling for people to support the new theatre, which will open its doors in December.

The Grade II listed Chapel is currently undergoing building works to transform the venue into a theatre with the capacity to seat an audience of 200 people. Currently, a team of 80 volunteers are busy working away to get the theatre ready for its opening production. There is still a huge amount of work to undertake, in the form of decorating, installing the theatre seats and building the stage before the building can operate this December.

ERT has a committed Board, again all volunteers, comprising of professional theatre-makers and business experts along with Dame Judi Dench who has agreed to be ERT’s Patron and is very much behind the project saying:

‘‘Theatre is a staple of the arts community and it’s fantastic that Beverley, with its rich cultural heritage, will benefit from both the venue and the visitors it attracts’’.

‘‘As the theatre is still seeking sponsors at this point, the support of the public is vital in enabling ERT to present a world-class artistic programme and deliver innovative creative learning projects both locally and nationally, which will inevitably attract visitors from all over the country to the East Riding and have a significant impact on the local economy. As a Yorkshire born actress I am proud to be patron of this exciting new theatre and urge you to support it in any way you can’’.

East Riding Theatre will host Vincent Regan’s new stage adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’, directed by Mike Friend. Opening night is Wednesday 17th December 2014 and performances will run until Saturday 3rd January 2015. Regan’s version of the famous novel will be the opening stage production of the Beverley based theatre. However, the theatre will first open its doors to a fundraising performance entitled ‘A One Night Stand With Barrie Rutter’, featuring a choice of readings, memories and anecdotes from this well-know Yorkshire actor and theatre director.

For more information on the theatre and to book tickets to the forthcoming productions visit www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk alternatively download the brochure here.