Lloyd Webber Foundation gives 150k to Paines Plough’s Roundabout project
Last year the company built a prototype of the auditorium (pictured below) and toured it to Sheffield Theatres, with whom they co-produced the season, and Shoreditch Town Hall.
According to a press statement, “It was the company’s ambition to be able to tour this model, taking new
plays across the UK to both established theatre spaces, and
non-traditional theatre venues. This ambition can now be realised this
year thanks to the financial support of The Andrew Lloyd Webber
Foundation.”
Designed by Lucy Osborne, the 111-seat venue will be built using
sustainable materials and will flat pack into a single lorry. It can then ‘pop
up’ in any space from existing theatres to village halls,
community and sport centres, warehouses and parks.
Madeleine Lloyd Webber, a trustee of her husband’s foundation, said: “The Foundation is
very proud to be funding this completely innovative performing space for
Paines Plough. Paines Plough brings excellent theatrical productions
to regions across the UK often to places that have no access to
traditional theatres and we hope the new space will help enhance the
work they already do.”
James Grieve and George Perrin, joint artistic directors at Paines Plough, added: “We are thrilled the Foundation shares our passion for finding new ways to enable more people around the country to experience new plays. Its support will play a major role in making Roundabout possible, meaning our pop-up in-the-round touring amphitheatre will hit the road with a repertory of three outstanding new plays, offering audiences everywhere a unique theatrical experience.”
Last year the Lloyd Webber Foundation, which was founded in 1992, donated £150,000 to the Royal Court Studio, and in 2011 is gave £3.5million to Arts Educational School in London.
