THIS letter was sent to Culture Minister, Chris Smith.

I am writing to request your urgent attention to the plight facing the people of Bolton who are about to lose their theatre company, if action is not taken immediately.

The resident Artistic Director, Lawrence Till, has led a most innovative and resourceful theatre company for the last eight years, regularly applauded for its comprehensive appeal and high standards of production which are renowned throughout the country. People who work in the building want to stay; actors constantly want to return to be associated with the company (I am one of them); productions and performers are regularly acknowledged by nominations and awards.

We cannot afford to lose the best theatre company of its size in the country.

Current plans to clear the financial deficit propose to offer just four productions for the two years following June of this year. The proposals include making the resident staff redundant. The Theatre Board hopes to attract other events to the building in an attempt to make more money at the Box Office. I think it is most unlikely that a building of its size and structure can realistically achieve this. It was built, designed and planned to produce plays. Plays to be made in Bolton.

Please give your urgent consideration to helping the company with extra funding, or giving them some extra time to clear the deficit. The people of Bolton deserve to continue to enjoy the best of regional theatre.

Anny Tobin

Tunley Road, London

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.