A
group of volunteers have bought Bungay Theatre, a 19th century building
that has not been used as a theatre for 150 years, and are currently
restoring it to its former use.
Since it was last used as a theatre in 1844 this historic building
has seen many different uses.
It has been a laundry and a clothing warehouse to name just a couple
of its reincarnations but since 2000 has been in the ownership of
the Bungay Theatre Group.
Judy Kelsey has been part of the organisation since it was formed
and says that the group came together because they all felt that
Bungay needed somewhere to stage arts events.
"We can hold small plays and workshops and things so parts
of the building are in use."
Although the restoration is nowhere near completion the building
is already being used to stage plays produced by the Fisher Youth
Theatre Group. The group was formed shortly after the building's
purchase.
So
much to do
The
first jobs for the volunteers were to clear out all the accumulated
rubbish from inside the building and repaint the outside.
"Someone
very kindly loaned us some scaffolding and we spent all last summer
out on the scaffolding stripping it down and painting it up and
looks quite respectable out there now."
The
area under the stage
The
plans that the group have for the theatre are very impressive and
they even include a cellar bar in a space underneath the stage.
The
next phase of the restoration is expected to start in January 2004
if the group's applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the
Arts Council are successful.
"It's going to take the best part of half a million pounds
to get it all done which is a lot of money but we've got our fingers
crossed."
The history
One
aim of the group is to properly research the history of the building.
Sources have suggested that the theatre used to hold up to 600 people
for a performance but even Judy Kelsey admits they would really
have to pack the in to get that many through the doors now.
"I've even heard stories that they would let everybody in at
6 o'clock when the performance started then shut the doors until
it was all over but that doesn't bare thinking about."
They are not just interested in what happened in its original life
as a theatre but a member of the group is currently researching
everything that the building has been used for since with the aim
of producing an informational booklet.
