How Harborough Theatre is hoping to bounce back - and when it hopes to reopen

“Our reserves are such that we are in no immediate danger and our Board of Trustees continues to operate on line to take decisions that might need taking.”
Harborough Theatre is hoping to bounce back from the Covid-19 crisis in the autumn.Harborough Theatre is hoping to bounce back from the Covid-19 crisis in the autumn.
Harborough Theatre is hoping to bounce back from the Covid-19 crisis in the autumn.

Harborough Theatre is hoping to bounce back from the Covid-19 crisis in the autumn.

The popular venue, set on Market Harborough’s Church Square, was forced to shut last month as the coronavirus lockdown was imposed.

But the much-loved theatre, sitting just feet away from St Dionysius Church and the old Grammar School at the heart of Harborough, aims to stage a stirring recovery and return stronger than ever.

John Foreman, chairman of Market Harborough Drama Society, admitted they have been “hit” in the pocket after being forced to cancel three plays from the 2019-2020 season.

But the theatre chief also insisted they will survive and flourish because they have a faithful army of fans all over the East Midlands and have been astutely managed for years.

Upbeat John told the Harborough Mail: “Financially, we will have, like everyone else, taken a hit.

“But we are very fortunate that the theatre has a very loyal following.

“The theatre has been prudently managed, maintained and improved for decades.”

He added: “Our reserves are such that we are in no immediate danger and our Board of Trustees continues to operate on line to take decisions that might need taking.”

John said that Harborough Theatre, which began staging plays at its iconic town centre headquarters in 1947, will have to stay shut for now.

“We will remain closed until such time as the Government authorises the re-opening of theatres of our size.

“And until we can be reasonably sure that we would not be putting people - staff, volunteers and audience - in any danger,” he stressed.

“Our 2019-20 season was cut short with three plays remaining, all of which have been cancelled.”

John said that at the moment it’s “highly provisional” but he hopes they could throw their doors back open to audiences in September or October.

If they do re-open he said “it is intended that the 2019-20 season will be extended with the three plays ‘lost’ being completed between October and January.

“And a mini 2021 season comprising 4 plays would take place between February and July,” said John.

“After that the 2021-22 season would be scheduled as normal, starting in September 2021.

“All other activities that take place in the theatre, including Parsnips Youth Theatre, visiting productions, coffee mornings, meetings and so on, have been cancelled up to July, when our season ends.”

But he said that a much-anticipated refurbishment set to go ahead at the theatre over the next few months should still happen.

“Maintenance work and improvements planned for this summer are still provisionally planned.

“So that when we are allowed to reopen our audiences will be welcomed into a beautifully-clean and well-maintained theatre, of which we can be very proud,” revealed John.

“All we can do now is to sit back and wait and hope that the people of Market Harborough and surrounding areas come through this unscathed.”