A group of cultural organisations from across Portsmouth have shared their concerns for the future of Groundlings Theatre and their current home.
The Cultural Collective of several organisations from across the city, formed earlier this year with the intention of improving partnership working, supporting each other, and helping to attract greater cultural investment into the city, is concerned that one of its partners, The Groundlings Theatre Trust, is under threat regards their home, the old Beneficial Society building.
A community facility in the heart of Portsmouth, Groundlings Theatre has supported the development of many local community and professional actors and is one of the only small theatres in the city whose loss would be felt by many who enjoy its mix of community and professional work.
Portsmouth has a rich cultural heritage of theatres, music venues, galleries and museums, with culture playing a vital role in the life of the city where venues of all sizes should be encouraged to thrive.
The Cultural Collective recognises that the situation is complex and hopes that a satisfactory solution can be achieved which help secures the future of Groundlings Theatre.
The undersigned organisations are members of the Cultural Collective: Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsfest, Aspex Portsmouth, Mary Rose Museum, Kino Kult CIC, The Wedgewood Rooms, The Makers Guild, New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth Creates. Artspace Portsmouth, Articulate Sage, Dr. Adrian Hull, Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, The Kings Theatre, Wymering Manor Trust.
Andy Grays of The Guildhall Trust, Joanne Bushnell of Aspex and Dominic Jones of The Mary Rose Museum Trust are the founders of the Cultural Collective.