We're still collecting donations
On the 5th August 2022 we'd raised £15,712 with 209 supporters in 35 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
+ est. £1849.75
Help us complete the final phase of repairs to our much-loved theatre, so we can fully reopen it for our wonderful community!
by The Poly in Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom
On the 5th August 2022 we'd raised £15,712 with 209 supporters in 35 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
An extra 10,000 will help us buy new stage equipment, improve our dressing rooms, and make further repairs to the auditorium and seating, helping ensure the future of The Poly stage for future generations!
About The Poly
The Poly sits at the heart of our community. So much more than a beautiful historic building and arts centre, it represents a place where people can come together to create, perform, and share life-affirming experiences.
Housing two art galleries, guild shop, theatre/cinema, café/bar, historical archives, and a state-of-the-art pottery, offering courses and kiln-firing, 'The Poly' is an artistic hub with a long heritage.
Operating on limited funds, The Poly takes pride in its position as a treasured asset showcasing the work of local artists and performers - as well as hosting visiting companies and creatives from further afield. As a creative hub, one of The Poly’s core values is to nurture local artistic talent in our community, from all backgrounds and disciplines, to create new opportunities and experiences.
After a long period of Covid enforced closure, it’s been wonderful to welcome everyone back to The Poly to enjoy our growing calendar of events and exhibitions. We’re also thrilled to now be back open for film screenings, bringing to Falmouth the very best in independent cinema, however our stage is one area of our building we haven't been able to reopen fully, and we need your help to do so!
Our Theatre
As well as film screenings, The Poly’s 180-seat theatre, hosts a wide range of performances including plays and musicals, family shows, comedy, live music, and talks.
Intimate and full of character, our theatre allows customers to soak up the atmosphere and get close to the action as they enjoy some of the best and most innovative touring acts. Nothing compares to seeing an event live, and The Poly is Falmouth’s go-to venue if you love absorbing independent entertainment with a flair of originality!
The Poly is also very much about bringing our community together, with an emphasis on growing local talent. Our theatre allows us to fulfil our commitment to house local productions and nurture performance skills. Many children and young people have made their first appearance on our stage, allowing them to build confidence and ability with the support of a warm and receptive local audience cheering them on.
“On the very day we moved into our house in Falmouth we attended a performance at The Poly. It was such a joyful introduction to our new home. The performance transported us to other lands while we remained ensconced within the wonderful community spirit of The Poly theatre.” Alexandra Lamont, New Resident
"The Poly is a wonderful part of Falmouth's culture. We love the live comedy, films, art shows, community events and the friendly staff. Thank you very much for enriching our lives and really looking forward to experiencing more live theatre at The Poly." Vanessa Roebuck, Blackbird Pie
“I cannot tell you how many shows we have been talking to in the last few weeks that we wanted to bring, but we can’t because there isn’t the right size venue spaces in Falmouth. The Poly is exactly what we need to be able to showcase local and national talent. We absolutely need The Poly as we grow our production company to collaborate together to offer local audiences and visitors to Falmouth the most exciting cultural offers in radical, accessible and contemporary local, national and global theatre.” Gabby Vautier, imPOSSIBLE Producing
“The Poly’s theatre is not only crucial as part of a regional touring spine in the South West, but for audiences and performers there is no venue in Cornwall that provides as intimate or engaging a performance space. It is a very special room, and perfect for theatre, dance, stand-up, music, talks, and lectures. There is a reason it is so loved by performers, the connection offered with the audience in that space is unique.” Ciaran Clarke Near-ta Theatre
Why we need your support
Post pandemic, The Poly Theatre is one area of the building we’ve not been able to fully open.
During our Covid-enforced closure we began some much-needed renovation works, including removing and safely disposing of asbestos materials recently identified in the backstage area of our theatre. While we funded much of this work through Poly reserves and assets, we need your help to meet the cost of the remaining repairs to the area affected. We also need to upgrade necessary electrical systems in our theatre.
Unfortunately, we cannot open our theatre for stage performances until we complete this important work.
What the money will help us do…
To bring our theatre back into full use, we need to:
Reinstall and update audio/visual systems for live music and theatre events
To help us achieve these goals we are looking to raise £15,000 from our friends, supporters, associate artists, and customers.
Can you help us? Anything you can donate, however big or small, will make a difference.
If all of our friends and supporters could give whatever they can afford, this will enable us to achieve our target and open our theatre back up - for you, your family and friends, and our community.
Together we can make this happen!
Thank you.
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