Kent's top theatre has been given a £3million cash boost which bosses say "saves it from the threat of permanent closure" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The government announced today the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury will receive £2.99 million as part of its second round of Culture Recovery Fund grants.

The theatre initially closed its doors from March till June, and only welcomed its first audience since the start of the Covid-19 crisis in September.

Now, as the country is put back into lockdown, the theatre has gone dark for another month.

This is a particular blow as its biggest money-maker - the annual pantomime - was cancelled earlier this year.

A scaled-down production entitled Nurse Nellie Saves Panto is due to run from December to January, however there is uncertainty as to whether the current lockdown will truly end as planned on December 2.

But bosses remain confident it will go ahead, noting that rehearsals have continued throughout recent months and that 12,000 tickets have been sold to date.

Today's announcement singles out The Marlowe Theatre as one of eight institutions nationwide to receive money in this round of Culture Recovery Fund releases.

Funding will enable the theatre to cover core costs during this challenging period and prepare for reopening in April 2021.

Deborah Shaw, The Marlow Theatre's chief executive, said: “We are thrilled and relieved to receive this vital support, which takes away the threat of permanent closure in the face of the Covid-19 crisis and supports our organisation through until the end of March 2021.

"We are hugely grateful to the Treasury and DCMS for their commitment to safeguarding the nation’s cultural life at this time, and to the Arts Council for ensuring that the funds have been distributed so widely.

"The Marlowe receives no revenue funding and operates as a self-funding charity.

"We are reliant on Box Office for 99% of our income and our success in normal years allows us to invest in regional artists and production and to create a rich programme of creative opportunities for our thriving youth companies, our network of 22 associate schools and the communities of Kent.

“With this funding, we are able to continue that work, build our organisational resilience and support our brilliant workforce.

"We intend to re-open as soon as possible, so we can be at the heart of our city and region’s spiritual, social and economic recovery.”

The city council's chief executive, Colin Carmichael believes the loss of the Marlowe would have much wider knock on effects for the region.

He said: "I’m delighted that The Marlowe Theatre has received this generous grant to help it manage its way through these difficult times.

"When the City Council - with the help of lots of local fundraisers - rebuilt The Marlowe a few years ago, we wanted to make a clear statement of our confidence in the City’s future, and cement Canterbury’s position as a centre for cultural development.

"The Trust that manages the theatre has done everything we could have wished to achieve those aims - and more.

"It would be disastrous for the City - and East Kent - were The Marlowe to be put out of action much beyond the timelines of this pandemic.”

Other indirect benefactors of the grant are the creatives who are either working or training with the theatre.

Among these is Maisie Crawford, member of The Marlowe Youth Company, who said: “I'm so glad The Marlowe has been given this support.

"Being part of the youth company offers such a wonderful community to explore different styles and methods of acting.

"It’s given me a whole new group of friendships and such a brilliant experience on stage. Something I wouldn’t miss each week.”

This funding builds on £409m of Culture Recovery Fund grants funding administered by Arts Council England and announced last month, which has gone to over 2,000 arts and cultural organisations of all sizes.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden said: “These grants will help the places that have shaped our skylines for hundreds of years and that continue to define culture in our towns and cities.

"From St Paul’s and Ronnie Scott’s to The Lowry and Durham Cathedral, we’re protecting heritage and culture in every corner of the country to save jobs and ensure it can bounce back strongly.”

Peter Heslip, director of the Arts Council England's South East division, said: “We’re very pleased to support The Marlowe Theatre which provides a wealth of opportunities for artists, audiences and communities to engage with and experience arts and culture and is an important part of the regional cultural offer.”

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