Theatres Trust director reveals fund regret

Outgoing director of Theatres Trust Jon Morgan has said that being unable to make a case for “serious, targeted public investment to protect and improve our theatre buildings” during his eight years in post is his “biggest regret”.

“In spite of working with a number of expert colleagues, internally and externally, to create a strong evidence base and to make the case, there is still no dedicated fund to support the maintenance and improvement of theatres,” said Morgan in a blog post.

“While some theatres have been successful in raising funds from national and local government without a dedicated and significant central fund, it will always be a lottery as to which theatres get the investment they need and which ones don’t.”

On his achievements, Morgan said, ”I’m most proud of how we as a team supported theatres during Covid.

“At a time when other organisations were furloughing staff, we decided it was more important than ever to be at full capacity so we could support theatres facing the greatest existential threat in recent history.”