STAY IN THE LOOP

Frequently Asked Question’s

When will Alnwick Playhouse re-open?

We plan to re-open the Playhouse PHASE ONE on MAY 17TH.

PHASE ONE

Phase One is the re-opening of the McKenna’s café on the ground floor along with the Library. Only the Ground Floor is open during Phase One with no access to the upper level of the Playhouse.

We have been working with our hospitality partners to make the foyer area as spacious as possible to allow café patrons to wait safely inside as opposed to outside for a table. We have hand sanitising stations and information upon entry. Café tables will be spread out into the White Room on the Ground Floor and although café reservations are recommended it is not essential to pre-book.

Reservations for the café can be made by calling 01665 660685. To contact the library please call 07966 326743 and for Tourist Information please call 01670 622152.

To create space and assist with two way traffic at the front entrance the Playhouse Box Office will not be in operation in the foyer until further notice. We ask for the cooperation of all of our patrons to continue using the ONLINE Playhouse Box Office via the website or emailing enquires wherever possible due to running a reduced service and we will deal with your enquiry as soon as possible.

PHASE TWO 

The Playhouse continues to plan to reopen the First Floor safely later this year. The Playhouse Auditorium will be open on selected evenings with a socially distanced film or streamed programme. Events shall be announced via newsletters and our website. In the meantime, we shall continue to progress with variations to the original building works which will take the main auditorium and studio out of use. These building variations would have been impossible to plan around the busy Playhouse programme and these improvements will benefit everyone when we return.

June 21^st is the date the Government have suggested that all restrictions could be dropped and we can return to full audiences.

However, there are reasons to be cautious because these dates are dependent on the continued success of the vaccination roll-out and the data produced. The dates are subject to change with one week’s notice. Also, the re-opening of indoor theatre shall be based on an Event’s Research Programme which is a series of test pilot events the Government have promised shall take place. Currently the industry is calling for clarity on the Event’s Research Programme which could help build audience confidence and offer an insight into best practice for re-opening safely.

We would like to reassure our customers we are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Events will not go ahead until it is safe to do so.

A performance I have booked for has been cancelled/postponed. What should I do?

In relation to the latest Government advice we are currently closed and a number of performances are being cancelled or postponed. Please click here to see how your performance may be effected: https://www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on/

We are continuing to move shows from original dates which are now re-scheduled, we shall be in touch with ticket holders in due course and thank everyone for their patience. Customers will be given the option to donate, receive a credit note or be refunded. Please ensure your contact details are correct by either logging in to your online account, leaving an email at info@alnwickplayhouse.co.uk or calling the box office on 01665 660550. The Playhouse Box Office is still open 24/7 online and reduced hours for telephone enquiries and bookings.

If you do not hear from us please get in touch.

How can you help?

DONATE – As the Playhouse receives only 8% public funding, we are reliant on ticket sales and secondary spend, so this interruption means we face difficult times ahead. We respectfully ask any patrons who can afford to donate the price of their ticket or simply take a credit to use against a future performance later in the year instead of a refund to do so during the closure.

BECOME A MEMBER – Actively support new initiatives and enjoy exclusive benefits through becoming a Friend or Front Row member. A small annual payment will allow you to enjoy a whole year of pleasure and make a real difference to your local Playhouse. Benefits include discounted ticket prices, invites to our season previews, priority booking on the biggest shows of the season, the Playhouse brochure delivered directly to your door and the opportunity to become more actively engaged with events and opportunities.

BOOK TICKETS – Book now for upcoming shows later in the year! With a diverse programme of theatre, music, comedy, dance and more there is something for everyone to look forward to. Customers are to be reassured that should a performance be cancelled or postponed we are happy to make changes to your booking.

How can I contact the Playhouse?

The Playhouse Box Office is still open 24/7 online and reduced hours for telephone enquiries and bookings. We ask for the cooperation of all of our patrons to continue using the ONLINE Playhouse Box Office via the website or emailing enquires wherever possible due to running a reduced service and we will deal with your enquiry as soon as possible.

Telephone: 01665 660550

Email: info@alnwickplayhouse.co.uk

How can I remain in touch throughout the closure?

Join our mailing list for all the latest developments here at the Playhouse. In The Loop! is our brand new newsletter bringing you the latest news, developments and offerings. A bi-weekly update to help keep you In The Loop until we can welcome you back into the building.

For further information and updates over the coming weeks refer to the website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

Funding Success

12th October 2020

The Playhouse is delighted to share with you all the recent news that our bid to ACE Culture Recovery Fund was successful.

Alnwick Playhouse has been awarded £197, 668 funds as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today.

The Playhouse is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

The news of this funding has brought joy and relief to everyone at the Playhouse as it will help us survive the financial implications of closure and also help us to navigate new socially distanced ways in which to continue as the creative and social hub for our community.

A socially distanced programme reduces our audiences to only 60 people and so we have an ambition to develop new staff skills and technology to explore a digital offer which can extend far beyond the Playhouse stage. We also aim to invest in a digital and visual arts programme to help us keep involved with the creative community and leave a legacy for the future.

The Playhouse shall also be working in partnership with other Northumberland Venues, Queens Hall, Hexham and The Maltings, Berwick towards a joined up digital project celebrating Northumberland at Christmas.

This vital new funding is gratefully received and most reassuring to our community, partners and valued supporters that the Playhouse will survive for future generations to come.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:

“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

In The Loop

In The Loop is a bi-weekly newsletter update to help keep you informed until we can welcome you back into the building.

Keep up to date with the industry, our community, new events and special offers by joining the Playhouse In The Loop newsletter. To join click the ‘subscribe’ orange button above.

View our latest newsletter here:

IN THE LOOP 23

IN THE LOOP 22

IN THE LOOP 21

IN THE LOOP 20

IN THE LOOP 19

IN THE LOOP 18

IN THE LOOP 17

IN THE LOOP 16

IN THE LOOP 15

IN THE LOOP 14

IN THE LOOP 13

IN THE LOOP 12

IN THE LOOP 11

IN THE LOOP 10

IN THE LOOP 9

IN THE LOOP 8

IN THE LOOP 7

IN THE LOOP 6

IN THE LOOP 5

IN THE LOOP 4

IN THE LOOP 3

IN THE LOOP 2

IN THE LOOP 1