Arcadians say show must go on despite funding setback
Their plea for a financial lifeline ejected by the state government, the 62-year-old theatre group will battle to secure their future
Hopes of a significant financial grant to help secure the future of one of the region’s longest serving community theatre groups have come to nought.
Members of the Arcadians Theatre Group were shocked to learn this year their ageing Miner’s Lamp Theatre in Corrimal would require major renovations to meet modern-day health and safety requirements.
Group president Steve Sanders said learning the cost of meeting National Construction Code standards would be almost $2 million was “a shock”.
The organisation considered all options, including selling what is the former Corrimal library building, and finding a new place to rehearse and perform.
Instead, it was decided to try to raise enough money to make a start on the repairs in the hope of completing necessary work over several years. A GoFundMe fundraiser has made some progress, but, with its total at less than $20,000, it’s still a long way short.
The Arcadians enlisted the support of their youngest members from the Arcadians Children’s Theatre (ACT) in lodging a grant submission through the NSW Government’s Regional Events and Partnership Stream.
The young performers wrote heart-felt personal messages seeking government support which were included with the grant application.
“I love the Miner’s Lamp Theatre,” wrote Ruby Ford in her letter. “The theatre has so much love and memories.”
Despite a persuasive grant application, the Arcadians have just received the worst possible news – their application hasn’t been successful, meaning the battle to save the theatre is going to be harder than ever.
Steve Sanders said the latest setback was tough to take for a number of reasons. The Arcadians included in the grant application a plan to reactivate the “Spring into Corrimal” community event on a regular basis, among other activities to foster community involvement. The intention was for the Miner’s Lamp Theatre to act as the hub for coordination of these events. This now won’t be possible.
“We are still determined to raise the necessary funds to be able to complete the necessary works,” Steve said.
“The Arcadians Theatre Group has existed since 1964, and has owned and operated the Miner’s Lamp Theatre, purchased from Council in 1977 at market value.
“Since owning the theatre, the group has mounted 231 major productions here and provided family-priced entertainment in the theatre over all these years.
“The Lamp has been developed as a truly professional space; upgrading facilities and equipment along the way to make it a standout facility. However, regulations have changed over time, and the facilities must be modernised to meet these requirements.”
Steve said the Arcadians remain committed to securing the future of their home theatre and would continue fundraising efforts “to make the required upgrades a reality.”
Those efforts include a trivia night this Friday – October 16 – at the Corrimal RSL. Details are available on the Arcadians’ website.
The company’s next production is the high-energy musical comedy Crazy for You featuring the music of George and Irwa Gershwin which opens on November 6.
The Arcadians say every full house will play a small but important part in their efforts to keep the lights on at the Lamp.
Steve Sanders said with more than 60 years of history in the Wollongong community, the group was confident that, with the continued support of its members, patrons, community and supporters, the Miner’s Lamp would continue to be a place where people came together to experience, create and celebrate live theatre for many years to come.
