Austerity Theatre: First UK Shop Front Theatre One Year On

Feb. 3, 2011 - PRLog -- A report analysing the inaugural year of the UK's first Shop Front Theatre has been published by researchers at Coventry University.

Inspired by a visit to Chicago and its 'store front theatre', Coventry’s Theatre Absolute approached the City Council and put the case to them for having a theatre in the City Arcade which would help to make use of empty shop units.  

The Shop Front Theatre was launched a year ago in  38 City Arcade (the old 'Fishy Moores) and from being a fish and chip shop it was turned into  a space for theatre performances, readings and workshops right  in the a heart of the city.

In this assessment of the first year of operation the report's authors, Christine Hamilton and Geoff Willcocks, found that the modest investment in cash from the Coventry City Council and a big commitment from Council staff, the Shop Front Theatre was established very quickly and presents a new model for supporting theatre in times of cuts, as well as offering an answer to creating a buzz in a city centre.

The report also includes information on the range of activities taking place and audience reaction to the performances. It also looks at how moving from a mainly touring company to a theatre with a base, Theatre Absolute has been able to develop new types of work.  

While the authors acknowledge that it is too soon to say that this one initiative can transform the footfall in the City Arcade, it suggests that, alongside other similar initiatives, Coventry is proving a model of what is possible.  

Geoff Wilcocks, one of the co-authors of the report said:

“The Shop Front Theatre offers a model, not only for theatre makers, but also for city planners who are trying to find new ways of securing the future of our city centre as vibrant and attractive places to visit.”

Chris O'Connell, Artistic Director and writer, Theatre Absolute commented:  

“The Shop Front Theatre has been an exciting journey for us and a unique learning curve. This report underlines the successes of the initiative so far and comes at an important time when arts organisations and individuals face a difficult period of change, and the City Council assesses the future of its empty shops policy.”

Christine Hamilton, the co-author of the reported concluded:

“This is an interim report. We want to undertake a more in-depth study once the 18-month lease is up. The lesson for our times is that a new model of ‘austerity theatre’ put together with volunteer support and donated chairs, can, and does, produce as gripping theatre as the more established venues which have enjoyed substantial investment over the last decade.”

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For further information or to speak to one of the report authors, contact Ali Bushnell, External Press and Media Relations Officer on 024 7688 8245.

Notes to editor:

Numbers: By November 2010, 1114 people had attended events at the Shop Front Theatre and £2,900 had been raised  through the box office with ticket prices being as low as £3 or £5.  The additional subsidy for the Shop Front Theatre from the Arts Council is £11,100 and the City Council has committed £1,000 in cash. 160 creative artists or participants have taken part in plays or workshops and 19 volunteers regularly support the venture, mainly front of house.  

Coventry University: The authors are both members of staff at Coventry University: Christine Hamilton, Director of the Institute for Creative Enterprise (ICE) and Dr Geoff Willcocks, Head of Performing Arts, Coventry School of Art and Design.  The research involved the gathering of quantitative data from Theatre Absolute and a series of interviews with key players including the City Council and the Arts Council.  The authors also attended performances and interviewed members of the company.

The report is published as a pdf on the Institute for Creative Enterprise web site:
http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet/ice/News/Pages/New...

Theatre Absolute was formed in 1992 in Coventry.  It has been a touring company since its inception, funded as a Regularly Funded Organisation (RFO) of Arts Council England. It has opened new shows in Coventry and has built a relationship with Warwick Arts centre over the years where plays were successfully premiered. Touring is principally in England but also has included in the past visits to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow and also other parts of Europe.  It has won awards for its work. The company also works locally with schools and in prisons.
www.theatreabsolute.co.uk

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The External Communications team from Coventry University promotes a wide range of initiatives, services, success stories and other related aspects of Higher Education and the achievements of its staff and students as well as comment pieces from experts.