Theatre boss optimistic despite temporary closure

A theatre manager has said she remains optimistic after the venue was temporarily closed over safety concerns.

The Gateway Theatre in Seaton, Devon, dates back to 1904 and was closed on 29 November due to "urgent and immediate safety issues", according to the town council.

A council statement, published on Facebook in February, said its insurer agreed to supply basic cover on the condition the Town Hall building, including the theatre inside, remained closed.

Theatre manager Sophia Moseley said: "We survived Covid so there's a lot of optimism that this will just be another hiccup."

The town council statement said: "Given the severity of the identified risks, the council was obliged to inform its insurers."

It added: "The council would like to emphasise that at no point has it made any decision to close the Gateway Theatre.

"The decision made was to close the Town Hall building, which impacted both tenants (Gateway Theatre and the Axe Valley Heritage Association). However this decision was necessary due to the withdrawal of insurance cover."

The statement also said the required improvements include electrical and fire safety upgrades, remedial electrical works, and emergency lighting upgrades.

Ms Moseley said the theatre needed about £60,000 to help fix the issues.

She said staff had been left in tears after they were forced to cancel their festive programme over Christmas.

Ms Moseley said: "Every single thing had to be cancelled. We were literally in tears, it was terrible and really, really sad."

In a bid to raise funds, the manager has created a fundraising page which has generated £12,000.

"We have so far received some incredible donations, which has helped with the money we lost over Christmas," she said.

"It's a testament to how important the theatre is to people.

"We're confident we will achieve our aims."

Ms Moseley began working at The Gateway Theatre in September 2021, at the height of the pandemic.

She said: "When you work in the arts, when you work in theatre, it's way more than a job, especially at the Gateway Theatre, it's a way of life.

"I think about it, I eat it, I sleep it."

The BBC has contacted Seaton Town Council for comment.

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