THE SHINFIELD Players Theatre group has postponed its latest play, Last Tango in Whitby, after high winds damaged its theatre space.The roof of the theatre was torn from the building in Shinfield Park during Storm Eunice on Friday, February 18.
Originally due to open on Wednesday, March 2, the play has now been postponed indefinitely while efforts to restore the theatre are carried out.
Jessica Wilkins, a member of the company, said that the players were “very disappointed with the situation, of course” but that morale was high.
“Everyone came together to help, it was amazing,” she said.
The company appealed for help on social media after the damage, and volunteer efforts to preserve the theatre building and prevent any further damage were carried out on Saturday, February 19.
Ms Wilkins said that the help was “phenomenal”.
“People not even involved with the theatre still came to help,” she said.
The roof damage led to many parts of the theatre being rain-damaged, including the stage, the auditorium, and the floor.
Parts of the set for the now-postponed play were also heavily damaged by exposure to rain during the storm.
Thanks to the volunteer efforts, the theatre’s seats, light box, and sound box were saved from damage.
While efforts to repair the space begin, the theatre company has shifted its focus and is preparing a musical production in place of Last Tango in Whitby.
Rehearsals continued for the new production, Our House, in improvise practise spaces.
The company has now been offered rehearsal spaces by Berkshire Maestros, which made its ensemble rooms available to allow the production to continue.
Ms Wilkins said that the company “has been rehearsing there with little disruption so far”.
“We know how many people love the theatre, and it is still in a very bad way, but we’ve got our fingers crossed, and the support has been amazing,” she said.
Our House – The Musical is showing on Friday, May 29; Saturday, May 30; and Thursday to Saturday, May 5 to 7.
