Funding Cut Threatens The Drill Hall

The Drill Hall, the UK’s leading producer and presenter of lesbian, gay and queer performance, is to appeal against the Arts Council’s decision to stop its funding from April 2008. The cut comes as part of a review of its funding activities by the Arts Council. 200 arts organisations will be affected but this.

The Drill Hall is a beacon for performance work and arts activities of the highest quality. In autumn 2007 the theatre on Chenies Street is celebrating its 30th anniversary as the UK’s leading producer and presenter of lesbian, gay and queer performance.

Built in 1882 as a drill hall for the Bloomsbury Rifles, the venue is remembered and visited by older ex-soldiers from all over London. The Drill Hall is now run by Central London Arts, which has established the theatre and programme of work that plays a key role in the capital’s cultural life. The building houses two performance spaces: Drill Hall 1, which has 200 seats, and Drill Hall 2, a 50-seat studio space.

Patrons of The Drill Hall are Matthew Bourne OBE, Julian Clary, Patrick Gale, Jackie Kay MBE and Miriam Margolyes OBE.

Performance work that is made and produced at The Drill Hall has established a national and international reputation for championing the work of new artists, performers and theatre practitioners over three decades.

The Drill Hall has also had a long association with the BBC and other radio and TV production companies. The building has been used to record popular shows for BBC Radio 4, such as The News Quiz and The Now Show.

Julie Parker, Artistic Director and Chief Executive, said: “I am shocked and dismayed by this decision, and we will be appealing against it.”

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