New studio theatre to be named ‘Spielman Theatre’

We are delighted to announce that our new studio theatre, planned to open in October 2018, will be named ‘Spielman Theatre’ following a major gift to the fundraising appeal by The Spielman Charitable Trust. This, amongst numerous other generous donations brings our remaining target down to just £20,000 as building work begins this month.

The Spielman Charitable Trust has played a significant role in the development of the cultural sector in Bristol over the last 20 years, and this gift will see one of the city’s most iconic venues transform its theatre spaces. The new Spielman Theatre will sit alongside the unchanged Factory Theatre and provide contrasting and complementing programmes of work under one roof. The Spielman Theatre will be a multi-purpose flexible studio theatre that also unlocks potential for increased children’s workshops, artist development and community activity.

The 2018 redevelopment project will be part of a truly transformational 12 months at Tobacco Factory Theatres. We present our inaugural Factory Company season from February to May 2018 – when a new resident professional ensemble will work together to create unforgettable new Tobacco Factory Theatres productions of Macbeth and A View From the Bridge (the latter directed by our Artistic Director, Mike Tweddle). Our doors will be open to the public even wider than ever before; anyone who is curious about theatre can get creatively involved in upcoming productions through our Get Involved, Artist Development and CYP programmes and we are expanding our focus more keenly on reaching out to our South Bristol communities.

THANK YOU

The Spielman Charitable Trust joins a growing list of generous supporters of the redevelopment project to whom we are very grateful. They include key local charitable trusts The Nisbet Trust and The Society of Merchant Venturers, and national support from the Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust and S.R & P.H Southall Charitable Trust. Arts Council England endorsed the project with a major grant earlier in the year and DAC Beachcroft lead a number of businesses who are supporting the transformation. Long term theatre supporters Mary and John Prior and Helen and Peter Wilde have also been both generous in their financial support and influential in their patronage of the fundraising campaign. Tobacco Factory Theatres would like to thank its committed group of major donors who have collectively contributed over £250,000 towards the target.

Landlord of the Tobacco Factory building, George Ferguson, has agreed to Gift a 999-year peppercorn rent Leasehold to the whole of the first floor as part of this project, to enable the organisation to flourish well into the future.

“We are overwhelmed by the major contribution that The Spielman Charitable Trust has made to our redevelopment project and are so grateful to the trust for coming on board in such a significant way. We are also indebted to the many other donors – too many to mention by name – who have joined the appeal in order to make this project a reality and complete the vision for Tobacco Factory Theatres in its iconic South Bristol building. The vibrant success story that is Tobacco Factory Theatres is down to the audiences, artists and donors who come together to create such an exciting place of imagination and storytelling. We couldn’t do it without our donors of all sizes, thank you to each and every one of you. ” Lauren Scholey, Executive Director, Tobacco Factory Theatres

MAKE YOUR MARK

Take a look at the interactive plans and find out how you can Make Your Mark with a donation to the project. Thank you.

You can also watch our film with Artists and Young People.