News

International celebrities have joined forces with local artists, volunteers, students and audiences to urge people to support Exeter Northcott Theatre and donate to its fundraising campaign. 

Exeter Northcott closed its doors in March due to COVID-19 and, as a registered charity with more than 90% of its income coming through ticket sales, the pandemic has hit the theatre incredibly hard.
 

Daniel Buckroyd, Artistic Director & Chief Executive said: ‘We’ve lost huge sums in the last few months and we predict a suppression in income for years to come. These are challenging times but as a charity, we will do everything we can to come back fighting fit to support our artists, our audiences and communities.’

The fundraising campaign, Love Local Theatre, asks people to donate and share a short video or a few words about why they support the theatre. Videos are being added to an ever-growing ‘supporting wall’ on Exeter Northcott’s website which places household names, next to audience members and young families.  

Videos include luminaries such as: Imelda Staunton who explains how vital the Northcott was to her development as an actor; Dame Judi Dench who refers to the Northcott and other regional theatres as ‘the life blood of the cultural industries’; and Celia Imrie who implores people to keep the doors open because the Northcott ‘is the heart of the city’.

Alongside such stars are members of the Northcott Young Company such as Harry Bennet who says that the Northcott has given him ‘confidence on stage and in every-day life’ and regular audience members such as Sandyha Dave who recognises that the Northcott is ‘a precious resource promoting a rich and diverse culture in Devon’.
 

People are being invited to add their own messages of support and donate via the website www.exeternorthcott.co.uk.