Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund

Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company has been awarded £94,000 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.

Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company  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.

Stuff and Nonsense are a long-standing, national touring company who create large theatre productions for families to enjoy together, who also work with young people in schools across the South West. The company are based at The Lyric Theatre in Bridport as Company in Residence’ and create their work in the building to then tour to larger theatres such as Theatre Royal Plymouth.  The lockdown meant that all the company’s touring was suddenly cancelled. This grant enables the company to get back on its feet to prepare shows to be seen at Christmas in different parts of the country, and  to put on socially distanced performances of its acclaimed adaptation of The Gingerbread Man at Lighthouse Poole during October half term.  There is much needed money to cover essential overheads, such as rent, storage and insurances plus support the many freelance artists that the company work with over the next six months to give them jobs and stability.  The money will help the company be ready to tour after Christmas and re-configure how to create theatre during this difficult time, where so many venues remain closed.  The company can continue its work in schools, particularly working with pupils with special education needs and to deliver an online programme of learning and continue the work it has become so well known for over the past decade.

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.”

Producer for Stuff and Nonsense,  Jane McGibbon said “We are pleased that the money received will contribute also to the Lyric Theatre’s overheads, enabling the Lyric to continue the excellent  work it does to support the many other artists who use the Lyric as a creation space and to enable events and projects to happen in Bridport.”

 “ I would like to thank the many people who helped us to apply for this grant. It is a lifeline and a huge relief to know that Stuff and Nonsense and The Lyric Theatre can continue to plan, create work for artists and find ways to bring theatre and art to our communities during this challenging next six months and into the years ahead.” Artistic Director Niki McCretton