Huge Cash Boost for The Dukes

Ambitious plans to turn the Dukes Playhouse into a unique cultural centre for Lancaster have been given the go ahead thanks to two huge injections of cash totalling £336,000.

Both the NWDA and Arts Council England have stepped forward to support the Moor Lane venue’s scheme to redevelop the existing studio to provide a new performance space for a wide range of productions and events.

The Dukes suffered a blow last year when a substantial portion of its funding was cut and locals feared for the future of the city centre theatre, but the Dukes team went back to the drawing board and devised a new business plan to secure the long term future of the venue. Their strategy involved enhancing the existing studio space and providing crucial sound separation between the larger main performance area and the second space.

Dukes’ Director Joe Sumsion said:

“Previously the Dukes has only been able to stage one production on at a time, as the sound leaks through between the two performance spaces. An essential part of the remodelling will involve an enormous wall of sound-proofing which will mean we can have two productions running simultaneously.”

James Berresford, Director of Tourism at the NWDA, said:

“These improvements signal the start of exciting new times for the Dukes Playhouse and the NWDA is delighted to support these plans which will help secure its future success. Our support underlines our ambitions to attract new audiences to Lancaster and to promote creativity in the Northwest.
“I hope many people will be inspired to visit and support what will be a unique cultural venue offering a wider variety of entertainment and arts on their doorsteps.”

Work has already begun on site, with a team of builders demolishing the interior walls of the existing studio. Joe added: “The new and improved studio space will be open, bright and contemporary. We really wanted to provide a fresh new space with a fabulous creative dynamic and, with the funds now in place, that’s just what our audiences are going to get. The experience of coming to see a production in the new studio will have a focus on quality, with a new entrance being created on Moor Lane, a new reception area and a true in-the-round theatre space. It even has a catchy new name – DT2. It will be fantastic space – with just 200 seats it will be perfect for more intimate theatre performances, live music and dance.”

And the funding could not have come at a better time as the Dukes’ newly-announced Artistic Policy aims to place the venue at the forefront of cultural life in Lancaster as a leading centre for all art forms. The Dukes enterprising new policy focuses not only on theatre and film, but also aims to provide a platform for other art forms. “The rebuild of DT2 is intrinsically linked to the new programme. With the two main spaces able to operate in tandem, we will be able to plan a truly diverse range of work, with our home-grown productions, great visiting theatre productions and the best local emerging artists. Lancaster has a wealth of artistic talent right on the doorstep and we want to showcase the Cream of Lancashire, across a range of art forms. We also have some exciting plans to develop theatre work right here at the Dukes, in collaboration with other theatre companies and this work will open here in Lancaster and then go out on tour across Britain,” Joe added.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

• For further information, interviews, photo opportunities or to arrange a tour of the new facility, please contact Julie Brown:
Tel: 07931 928803
Email: press@dukes-lancaster.org

• The funding is made up as follows:
o The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA): £237,000
o Arts Council England (North West): £99,000

• The Dukes management team and Board of Directors worked in conjunction with Lancaster City Council Officers, the Lancaster City Council Economic Regeneration Team and the Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board to develop the successful funding bids.

• NWDA
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life
For further information visit:
www.nwda.co.uk
www.enlandsnorthwest.com

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