At a time when many theatres in the country fear for their future because of Government cuts, a venue in York is on a growth curve, says Steve Pratt.

LIZ WILSON has never worked in a place where so many people come knocking on the door. They have an idea, they have something they want to do, they want help in fulfilling their dream...

“If you’re a theatre in this size of city you’re a magnet to people who want to make things happen,” she says. “We get so many phone calls weekly from individuals and companies who want to do something in the city.”

York Theatre Royal, where Ms Wilson is chief executive to Damian Cruden’s artistic director, now has a few more doors on which to knock, having expanded into the historic and newly-renovated De Grey Rooms next door in the city centre. She sees this becoming a hub for the arts community in the city as well as a facility for the community.

And at a time when cuts and closures are demolishing the arts, the York theatre is embarking on an ambitious season that sees the transformation of the main theatre into an in-the-round auditorium for seven months, the arrival of a repertory company of 12 actors and eight in-house productions.

All this and the Theatre Royal is going global, with its Olivier Award-winning production of The Railway Children opening in Toronto and returning for another season in London’s Waterloo Station. The theatre is also producing (with Riding Lights and York Museums Trust) The Mystery Plays in the Museum Gardens in the summer next year.

“I think we’ll have a collection of small companies and individuals joining us. Writers might come and hot-desk. The aim is to make it as affordable as possible, although the hard economics is that it is a business we’re running,”

says Ms Wilson.

“I do think we are luckier than many – there is so much potential, whereas other places would find it more difficult. We want to create a network of professionals working in the arts in this city.

“The city is small enough for people to know each other and not get lost in a plethora of things going on. Again, I don’t feel it exposes ourselves to too much risk taking on something like that. Obviously, we have to be careful, we’re in the era of cuts.”

In the current economic climate and recent round of Arts Council funding cuts – which affected York Theatre Royal in common with other companies – the expansion plan might seem risky to some. After Ms Wilson took up her post 16 months ago, the expansion was reassessed and she argued it was a good move because it would consolidate the theatre under one roof. At the time, the education department occupied a room at a neighbouring antiques house, while wardrobe and costume hire operated from a warehouse in another part of the city. Now, everything is at one site.

YORK Conservation Trust, which owns the De Grey Rooms, renovated the building – previously Visit York’s information office – before the theatre moved in. It’s now home to theatre offices, rehearsal space, the wardrobe and costume hire department, and all the Youth Theatre activities. It will also provide a resource for the community and a source of income for the theatre.

The sparkling new ballroom has been the scene of a fundraising dance marathon that raised more than £6,500.

Touring is another source of income. The theatre’s production of To Kill A Mockingbird with Duncan Preston is doing well around the country. Another tour next year with Touring Consortium is under consideration.

The expansion will allow the theatre to build on its reputation for producing theatre for children, young people and families with the help of associate companies Tutti Fruitti and Pilot Theatre. Of the In The Round Ensemble season, Peter Pan and particularly My Family And Other Animals, a new stage adaptation of Gerald Durrell’s book about his upbringing on the island of Corfu, fall into the storytelling for families category.

Turning theatre-in-the-round for seven months reduces the number of seats , but takes into account the average size of the audience for drama at the venue. “It reduces our capacity, but not so that it’s risky,” says Ms Wilson.

One actor, panto favourite Martin Barrass runs through all 28 weeks of the season (and then goes into panto). Guest actors include George Costigan, who starred in Death of a Salesman at the theatre, and Sarah Quintrell, the original Bobby in The Railway Children.

Youth theatre members will be involved in Peter Pan, which is being adapted by Mike Kenny, and Alan Bennett’s Forty Years On.

Members of resident company Belt Up will also be in both productions.

The education department is launching with York St John University a scheme which will examine how the arts can be used in learning.

The continued success of The Railway Children is giving the theatre a modest but valuable income.

Ms Wilson says: “It’s not huge sums, but our ability to make income in other places to bring back here is where we do well.”

In-the-round dates

The Crucible, May 7-28.
My Family And Other Animals, June 3-25.
Two Planks And A Passion, July 1-16.
Parlour Song, June 30-July 23 (Studio Theatre).
Peter Pan, July 29-Sept 3
40 Years On, Sept 23-Oct 15
Laurel and Hardy, Oct 21-Nov 5
Black Bird, Oct 20-Nov 12 (Studio Theatre)
􀁧 Tickets from 01904-623568 or online at york theatreroyal.co.uk

Open day at theatre

YORK Theatre Royal is holding an open day on Saturday, allowing the public access to the newly-renovated De Grey Rooms.

There will be guided tours, a story corner for young people, Friends of York Theatre’s tombola, a poster sale and events will colminate in the ballroom with a tea dance at 2pm.

York media-based company Parashoots will collect people’s early memories of the De Grey Rooms. The theatre is looking for images of the building.

There will also be an information stand for those wanting more information or to sign up for the York Mystery Plays 2012.