Arts and Community in Thornbury

Last night I attended a performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in the Rondo Theatre in Bath, which set me to thinking about the parallels with Thornbury's own ACT group and their mission to build an arts and performance centre in Thornbury.

Thornbury has it's share of performance art (only last week the Octopus Drama Group performed Aladdin), but when compared to a set up like that of the Rondo one realises how much more might be done. I accept that the Rondo were lucky to receive an old church building that they could adapt into a small theatre, but with the addition of two lottery grants they were able to extend this building and completely modernise it. 

However, ACT have certainly set their sights higher than anything the Rondo does at the moment, claiming that "At the heart of the building will be a well-equipped, flexible theatre. Surrounding it there will be rooms for exhibitions, workshops, dance studios, meeting rooms, a cinema and a recording studio. There will be a cafe/bar - all day and every day." Anyone would agree that this is no small task!

ACT have already been lucky enough to receive a grant from Oldbury Power Station to see just how feasible their plans are, so hopefully we'll soon know more about what Thornbury can do to have a cultural institution to rival some of the best in the area.

In the meantime ACT continue to hold a number of events; so if you're interested in supporting them and learning a bit more about  the experiences of a veteran performer (in this case Chris Harris, a keen supporter of ACT's aims) you should head to the United Reformed Church on Tuesday the 9th of February at 7.30pm. Tickets are available now from Thornbury Garden Centre or by phoning 01454 416291.

For more details about the show you can use the following web address http://www.actthornbury.org.uk/images/Chris%20Harris.pdf and to learn more about the ACT project you can visit their mainsite at http://www.actthornbury.org.uk/index.htm#a1.

In the meantime be sure to let us know your thoughts on this project. The Rondo currently receives a small grant from Bath council, so should ACT expect the same, even in the current financial climate? Have your say here.