Wednesday October 2nd 2024
Graham Crammond in Hansel&Gretel Brunton Theatre 2021. Photo credit Robin Mitchell.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
High profile performers and fans are among those supporting a call to help keep the ‘show on the road’ for a highly acclaimed Scottish theatre trust in its 30th anniversary year. As it delivers a jam-packed autumn programme of enthralling creative events and educational projects, the Brunton Theatre Trust is calling for support from funders and the public to help them through a challenging financial landscape.
From Covid restrictions and the unexpected closure of its purpose-built performance spaces at the council-owned Brunton Hall following the discovery of RAAC in 2023, the trust based in East Lothian has repeatedly bounced back to ensure its audiences can continue to enjoy the very best theatre, music, dance, comedy, film and participatory events. However, this perfect storm of events, set amidst the current financial crisis, now means that the charity’s future is uncertain, and they urgently need support from funders and the public to ensure their long-term survival.
Michael Stitt, Chair of Brunton Theatre Trust said:
“Our incredibly resilient team has navigated around the restrictions and unexpected closures at the much-loved Brunton Hall to ensure audiences continue to be entertained and enriched through a variety of events and educational initiatives. This autumn season alone The Brunton is hosting performances from the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Still Game comedians Mark Cox & Jane McCarry, soloists Katherine Bryan and Timothy Orpen from the RSNO, Talon – The Best of the Eagles, the much-loved Brunton pantomime, and more!
“However, as we operate on a reduced income while our main venue remains closed and East Lothian Council decided to reduce our funding by almost 50% this year, we have unexpectedly had to use a large amount of our carefully managed reserves to keep going.
“We are now in a very difficult financial situation and urgently need support from East Lothian Council, Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government, and the public to ensure we can continue to deliver the same level of high-quality arts, culture and entertainment events and education projects throughout 2025 and beyond.
“The public can support us by donating, joining our Friends scheme, booking tickets to enjoy our fantastic programme of events and telling local councillors and others how important our Trust is to them.
“We are asking East Lothian Council to restore the level of funding we need to continue as a matter of urgency. As the county’s main cultural provider, it is vital we build on the success of the past 30 years. Less funding and RAAC have been cruel blow to this cherished East Lothian institution. We must have the same support that we have had from the council over the years to ensure the next 30 years are just as successful.
“We are awaiting a funding decision from Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Fund, which is vital in supporting our continuation for the next three years and we are looking at all fundraising options to ensure our sustainability for the future. This is an exceptionally difficult time for the arts and culture across Scotland and we need support from our funders and public now more than ever.”
The Brunton’s long-standing panto dame, Graham Crammond, who was presented with an Unsung Hero Award at The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals live on the BBC earlier this year, added:
“The Brunton has been such a massive part of my life. It really is a joy to perform in their pantomimes and to see the audience get so much from it. I hope all those who have enjoyed our performances over the years make every performance a sell-out, so that we can continue to enjoy performances at The Brunton for many many years to come.”
Stand-up comedian, Craig Hill who is due to appear at the same Brunton venue on Saturday 8th February said:
“I can’t wait to come back to The Brunton Theatre. It’s genuinely one of my favourite spaces to perform in and so well loved and well used by the locals. You can tell when a venue means a lot to a community and it’s always a joy to perform in a place like that. The team have done a phenomenal job of keeping the show on the road given all they have had to navigate around. The trust is a real asset to Scotland and East Lothian. I hope they will get lots of support, so that their fabulous programme can continue. It says a lot about how special a venue is when visiting performers love it as much as the people who live there.”
Tony Mills, former Artist in Residence at the Brunton and current Artistic Director of Dance Base said:
“As well as presenting commercial theatre, world class music, film and community-led performances, The Brunton has been a regular supporter of the independent arts sector in Scotland, providing a vital platform while on tour, a space for production and partnering to help move projects forward. As an artist in residence at the Brunton for many years, I have been grateful for the opportunity to have a base and to be given time and support to develop ideas and projects. This has been invaluable to my growth as an artist, both through the support given, but also because it required raising my own game to work with a partner such as The Brunton.
“I really hope the organisation can continue to provide this kind of career changing support and remain an asset to the wider Scottish arts ecology. And I hope that audiences and funders will support it to continue for many years to come, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the cultural landscape of East Lothian.”
Louise Gilmour-Wills, Producer at the Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, which produces award-winning theatre for young people, said: “The Brunton is an incredibly important cultural organisation in East Lothian and must be cherished, both by funders and the community. Catherine Wheels have developed a huge amount of our work through collaboration with The Brunton, and presented this to audiences at Brunton Hall and other venues with the support of the Brunton team. We need organisations like the Brunton to continue so that artists can show their work, and entertain young audiences, their friends and families across the region.”
Samantha Mackay, Chair of Friends of Stobhill Primary School in Gorebridge said:
“We fundraise so that our entire school can look forward to The Brunton Pantomime every year. It provides an excellent accessible local pantomime option for us and the performers always puts on such a fantastic show. It means so much to our Stobhill community. I wish the Brunton Theatre Trust every success in their fundraising appeal, so that our community can enjoy their performances for many years to come.”
Brunton Youth Theatre comment
The Trust also provides an important lifeline for local children and young people. From giving them access to performances to delivering educational initiatives throughout the year. Describing the importance to his life, Brunton Youth Theatre member, Lewis Crawford, age 9 from Midlothian said: “I’ve been going to the Brunton Youth Theatre for years, and I love it. I really enjoy acting, going to the classes has really helped my confidence, and I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I also love going to see the pantomime with my school every year.”
Despite the challenges that lie ahead for the Brunton Theatre Trust, with enough funding and support, The Brunton Theatre Trust Chair Michael Stitt is hopeful that they can weather the storm and continue to make culture and entertainment accessible to their audiences, as they have for 30 years:
“As we wait news of funding, alongside an update from East Lothian Council as to the future of the Brunton Hall building, we want to let the community of Musselburgh and beyond know that we stand with them, and to ask that the local authority’s future plans place arts and entertainment provision at the heart of the town.”
To support The Brunton theatre, you can donate, buy tickets or become a Friend of The Brunton at thebrunton.co.uk
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