Financial support from local councillors has helped fund a brilliant theatre show in Lowestoft.
The sold-out production of 'We Will Rock You', a musical based on the music of pop legends Queen, was supported by funding from the Council's Cultural Strategy Budget and local ward councillors' Enabling Communities Budgets.
£6,000 of funding was given in total, which covered the cost of the production's set, bringing it to life on stage. £2,000 of this funding was from the Council's Cultural Strategy Budget.
The remaining £4,000 was given by local Cllrs Edward Back, Peter Byatt, Janet Craig, Andree Gee, Louise Gooch, Alan Green, Graham Parker and Malcolm Pitchers through allocating an equal share each from their Enabling Communities Budgets.
And thanks to the hard work of theatre managers Sam and Karen along with the rest of the cast and crew, the venue enjoyed an entirely sold-out show across eight performances at the Marina Theatre.
Several Councillors involved in the funding bid were lucky enough to see the show in action on Friday 7 August.
Cllr Louise Gooch, ward member for Kirkley and Pakefield, who led the funding bid, said:
"It was an absolutely brilliant show! Stunning singing, laugh-out-loud lines and a creative costume and set. Why go to the West End when Lowestoft's theatre scene is just as good?
"Congratulations to Sam, Karen and their teams for giving so many creative individuals in our town their chance to shine! They should feel enormous pride in what has been achieved."
Alongside eight sold-out shows, the production saw local performers involved in a professional production, more than 70 members of the community involved and thousands of people enjoying the music of Queen together!
The production has also given the community cast the opportunity to experience what it is like to be part of a fully professional production. The creative team are all professionals, meaning the cast have received professional direction, choreography and musical direction throughout the process. Everyone involved in the professional creative and production team, from the directors, choreographer and Musical Director through to the band, has been paid for their time.
Keeping the show accessible to as many people as possible was also a key priority. Ticket prices were deliberately kept affordable at just £16, £13 and £10. With the combination of affordable ticket prices and the significant costs involved in staging such a large-scale production, neither venue will make any money from the show.
East Suffolk Council’s Enabling Communities Budgets support activities delivered by community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations.
Distributed equally amongst each of the Council’s 55 members, each ward councillor has a £7,500 Enabling Community Budget to spend on community projects or to develop new projects which tackle community needs in their area.
Previous projects which have benefitted from Enabling Community Budget funding include play areas, village hall refurbishments and equipment, community events, projects supporting people with disabilities and the purchase of defibrillators.
Community groups wishing to apply for Enabling Community Budget funding should contact their district councillor.
