Bridport’s historic Lyric Theatre has launched an appeal to raise £100,000 for urgent roof repairs – a target that will unlock a further £170,000 of investment in the nearly 250-year-old building.
The Grade II listed theatre has already secured £170,000 funding from Arts Council England’s Creative Foundation Fund to transform the venue. However, that funding can only be unlocked if the theatre first secures the £100,000 required to make the building watertight.
The campaign, Under this Roof!, has already raised more than £57,000 from around 190 supporters. The money will fund repairs to damaged slates, leadwork and drainage systems, helping to halt water damage that has affected the theatre’s listed ceiling.
Built in 1777, the Lyric has served the community in many roles over the centuries – it has been a chapel, a Temperance Hall, the Liberal Hall, a Drill Hall, a cinema, Bernard Gale’s Dance School … Today it operates as a community theatre and creative arts venue, hosting performances, workshops, youth activities and artist residencies.
The planned Arts Council investment would fund improved accessibility, new artist studios, workshop spaces and further restoration work, but these improvements cannot begin until the roof is secured.
The appeal has attracted support from Academy Award-winning actress Olivia Colman, who described the Lyric as ‘a truly special place at the heart of Bridport’s creative community’ and warned that losing the venue would be ‘a terrible loss’ for future generations.
Supporters are being urged to donate whatever they can and, crucially, to share the campaign widely. Every contribution brings the Lyric closer to securing its future.
Supporters can find out more or donate through the Under this Roof! crowdfunding campaign.
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