Lowther Pavilion theatre is this week celebrating a generous donation of £100,000 towards the building costs of its new Education Centre and Studio Theatre. The donation, in memory of impresario Duggie Chapman MBE, was given by Theatre Producer Beryl Johnson who is a long-time supporter of all things Lowther and wanted to make sure that the plans for the new Education Centre came to fruition as soon as possible, recognising the work the theatre is doing for young people, it’s classes for home educated children, Youth Theatre’s and creative support for the whole community.
Beryl Johnson said: “I have watched the work of Lowther carefully during and since the Pandemic and been so impressed with the team and their vision for the future providing this Education Centre and Studio Theatre I felt I wanted to be part of supporting the funding”.
Tim Lince, Lowther Pavilion’s Artistic Director and CEO, said: “Beryl was standing on the shoulders of Giants. Carnegie the Scottish-American Philanthropist died just over a century ago leaving a mark on so many towns and Cities with public buildings. But with no Carnegie around these days it falls on individual members of the community to make sure that we can build life changing spaces that shape future generations, through the realisation that caring for the community, is what makes us all human! This tremendous donation will help provide services for everyone and allows Lowther to complete the building of the shell and start on the path to the final fit out.”
Once complete the Education Centre and Studio Theatre will house daily classes and workshops, creative arts sessions, community cinema, parent and child groups, a safe warm space for all members of community to come together no matter how young or old and compliment the tremendous cultural work already being done by the Lowther Pavilion staff.
Teresa Mallabone, Lowther Gardens Trust’s Chair, thanked Beryl by saying: “Your tremendous generosity will help us towards our target to complete the build. Each person that uses the facility once open will benefit from your kind donation and this will prove a lasting legacy for all the community”.
The tender for the build will go out in April with construction due to start in June and hoarding coming down in late November.
If you would like to help see the Education Centre and Studio Theatre come to completion or would like to give a donation or legacy gift please email Lowther Pavilion’s CEO and Artistic Director tim@lowtherpavilion.co.uk