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Hampstead Theatre Hits £3m Fundraising Target

The Hampstead Theatre in north London has successfully reached its £3 million fundraising target set by the Arts Council of England. This will ensure that the next share of its Lottery grant will be released, enabling work on the theatre (design pictured) to continue on schedule.

Since launching the appeal just over a year ago, donations have poured into the theatre from the local community, prominent theatre personalities and the business world alike. Sums offered have ranged from £5 to £250,000 with donors including Sir Richard Eyre, Sir Cameron Mackintosh and the playwrights David Hare and Tom Stoppard.

Artistic Director Jenny Topper has expressed relief and happiness "that we have met this crucial deadline and we can now look forward to the new theatre opening in late 2002. The support of our members, friends and the local community has been overwhelming and reaffirms support for not only our work, but new play writing in general."

The theatre now has to raise a further £2 million, on top of the existing amount collected, to reach the overall £5 million partnership funding target. Any wealthy benefactor prepared to donate the full amount required would find the theatre willing to consider changing its name accordingly.

Productions will continue in the existing theatre building until the new site opens. Greatly improved facilities, with flexible seating arrangements and educational activities, are among the attractions expected to feature. Both public and backstage areas will have full access for people with disabilities. A stylish bar and theatre café will also be open throughout the day and evening.

Phillip Osment's play Buried Alive is currently running at the Hampstead Theatre. Forthcoming attractions include Jonathan Harvey's Out In The Open, and Donald Margulies' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Dinner With Friends in the summer.

- by Gareth Thompson

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