Pentabus Theatre Announces Three Years of Future Funding
Pentabus Theatre announces today it has been awarded a further three years of core funding from Arts Council England over the next three years. Following an open application process the grant ensures the company will continue to be funded until March 2026.
Artistic Director Elle While said:
‘As the nation’s rural theatre company, we are grateful that Arts Council England has recognised the essential contribution Pentabus makes to the UK's theatre ecology. As we approach our 50th year, we are delighted to have received the support to realise our ambitious plans for the next three years, which include commissions from some of the UK's most exciting playwrights and a dynamic and growing commitment to our Young Company and Writers’ in Residence. With secure funding we can ensure we continue to tour our work more widely across the UK, in village halls, theatres and, with our expanding digital offer, on screens. We are conscious of colleagues and partners who will not have received the news they were hoping for today and we hope that in these challenging times we are able to work with compassion and collaboration to keep building and broadening cultural engagement throughout the UK.'
Chair of the Board of Trustees Ros Robins said:
‘The Board of Pentabus are delighted with the news that the company will receive a further three years of funding from Arts Council England. As a registered charity, Pentabus Theatre receives a portion of its income from grants from public sources and this provides the bedrock of support from which we fundraise further to support our full programme. This welcomed confirmation of funding will mean that we can continue to make and tour high quality new theatre shows to audiences across the country as well as offering many exciting opportunities to artists and young people living and working in rural communities.’
Pentabus has recently finished touring Little Bits of Ruined Beauty a new play by Tom Wentworth, a co-production with Unlimited, celebrating the work of disabled artists. A live capture of the production will be available to watch for free later this winter. This week they have released 10 professionally recorded new audio pieces written by their 2021/22 National Young Writers group. To listen to these and other digital commissions: www.pentabus.co.uk/whats-on
Full release below.
For further information please email press@pentabus.co.uk
