- Meet our cover star: Lady Bushra - 28 January, 2023
- Film review: My Best Friend’s Exorcism (Amazon Studios, 2022) - 30 September, 2022
- LGB Alliance is an anti-trans ‘hate group’, says anti-extremism org - 23 August, 2022
Iconic LGBT arts space Marlborough Theatre is currently crowdfunding urgent repairs on its historic building.
The theatre – which The Guardian calls ‘a refuge for cutting-edge performance’ – is working hard to meet its modest £10,000 total for the 10 Years of Queer campaign. Because it’s an all-or-nothing fundraiser, however, if the theatre doesn’t meet its target, it gets nothing. The theatre is currently 30% shy of its total, and hopes members of the LGBT community can chip in to preserve the space for future generations – and get some unique rewards for their pledges.
The theatre is especially known for developing new talent, including artists such as Travis Alabanza, and for hosting some of the best queer acts still around today, including David Hoyle, Neil Bartlett and Justin Vivian Bond.
The campaign launched back in September, because the project-based funding the theatre relies on does not cover the vital repair works necessary to keep the Brighton & Hove theatre alive.
Local figures have supported the campaign, including Brighton Fringe CEO Julian Caddy, who says, ‘The Marlborough Theatre is a massive, vital part of not only what makes the LGBTQ+ community what it is, but also Brighton as a whole too. It’s not easy, but through their collective passion, and with limited resources over the years, they have made a lasting difference to people of all genders, ethnicities and outlooks. We must support them to continue their good work. To lose the Marly is absolutely unthinkable.’
Artist Rosana Cade has spoken out about the theatre’s impact, saying, ‘I really believe that the work they do has such a wide and important influence across multiple sectors in the UK, culturally and socially, that it is probably impossible to chart.’
Those who back the campaign don’t just get a warm glow, however – backers can nab bespoke gifts for their pledges, including a performance art tea towel featuring hand drawn portraits from 100 top artists, photography sessions, and a fun-filled sleepover with artist Harry Clayton-Wright with dinner, cocktails and more rom-coms than you can shake a stick at.
About the theatre
Marlborough Theatre has been run by Community Interest Company Marlborough Productions since 2010. The team comprises three Creative: Producers Abby Butcher, David Sheppeard and Tarik Elmoutawakil; as well as Programme Coordinator Ema Boswood and Programme Assistant Ellie Stanton. Their programme comprises a huge variety of live art, theatre, performance art, spoken word, comedy and live literature from home grown emerging talents to nationally acclaimed artists and companies.
Support the campaign by backing or sharing with your networks: crowdfunder.co.uk/10-years-of-queer.
