Harrogate Theatre's roof to be replaced in exciting £1 million plans

Organisers 'thrilled' as Hollywood director is set to appear at Harrogate Film Festival

A statement from Harrogate Theatre said:

"Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet will meet at the of the month to discuss the work which would ensure the longevity of the building and the safety for our staff and audiences.

"As well as the roof, repairs would be carried out to the windows and guttering to make sure that the building is fit for another 120 years.

"If agreed, it would maintain Harrogate Theatre as a centre of excellence for the arts in our community.

"The work could start as early as May to coincide with the launch of a new season of work for the people of Harrogate and beyond in the local community.

The statement continued:

"Over the last year whilst our safety curtain has been drawn we have continued working with young people, presented a digital season of work as well as running socially distanced live events.

"During this time Harrogate Borough Council has completed essential fire integrity works to the building as we continue to place public safety at the heart of our decision making.

"While our much-loved home receives essential repairs, you will find us performing across the district, look out for us popping up in community spaces, local partner venues and online to offer a feast of spellbinding theatrical events. There is plenty to get excited about.

"At the centre of Harrogate Theatre's Raise the Roof season is Our Gate, a large-scale community project centred round Harrogate’s iconic asset – it’s water.

"Among other events we are excited to see the return of Emergence dance, for a one-off digital stream in partnership with the ODEON, our annual Harrogate Comedy Festival, sponsored by VetDentist, and much of our exciting Studio programme relocated to accessible community spaces. Rest assured plans are firmly in place to bring our magical family pantomime back to Harrogate in 2021.

"Let’s get together and raise the roof to experience live performance across our town."

"For details of events now on sale and information on how to support us head over to our website: www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk.

"If you have tickets for any re-scheduled events our Box Office team will be in touch with further details."

David Bown, Chief Executive Harrogate Theatre (White Rose) Theatre Trust, said:

“We are extremely excited to be reconnecting with our audiences out in the community, whilst the theatre is being much improved and made safer for our return.

"We’re working closely with Harrogate Borough Council to minimise disruption and relocate events where possible and we look forward to hosting live events back at the theatre as soon as we can.”

Stanley Lumley, Harrogate Borough Council cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport said:

“Harrogate Theatre brings so much joy to all those who attend the wonderful range of performances it has hosted for some 120 years.

"However, all buildings need maintenance, and the theatre is no exception.

"We are planning to invest over a £1million this year to allow these fantastic performances to continue.

"These are significant works to any building, especially one on that is a triangle shape, a listed building and on a hill.

"Working with the theatre we’re aiming to get most of the works undertaken when the theatre would be closed over the summer.

"We will also be looking to help accommodate performances in the Royal Hall, Harrogate Convention Centre Auditorium and our community centres if required.”

Rachael Halliwell, writer and co-producer of Our Gate, said:

“I’m delighted that Our Gate - my commissioned epic community play- will be at the centre of Harrogate Theatre’s Raise the Roof season.

"Whilst we may not be in the physical building, Our Gate is for, by and with the entire community and embodies the very essence of what the theatre is all about- the life changing shared experience of live drama."

Exciting news for Harrogate music fans as Deer Shed Festival confirms it is back

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.