Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood has backed plans to protect a vital community theatre group which faces drastic cuts when their funding is withdrawn.
The South Wales Central AM has signed a petition organised by the Friends of Spectacle Theatre in response to plans by the Arts Council of Wales to withdraw revenue funding of £250,000 per year from this April. The management board at Spectacle Theatre has said it will try and provide a service in the valleys despite losing its sole income source.
In the meantime, a group has rallied to protect Spectacle Theatre and they will present a petition on the steps of the Senedd tomorrow (Wednesday January 19).
For more than 30 years, Spectacle Theatre has brought high quality bi-lingual theatre productions to schools and communities in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Bridgend and Merthyr.
Leanne Wood, who represents the South Wales Central region which encompasses Rhondda Cynon Taf, has previously raised in the Senedd the bleak prospects of some grass roots theatre groups due to the withdrawal of funding by the Arts Council of Wales.
She said: “I am of the view that it is very important for children to have access to the professional drama productions that are regularly staged by Spectacle Theatre.
“If this service was to collapse through a lack of funding there would be a cultural void for the school children in the valleys I represent. It would be hard to estimate just how much this would hit our children in an area known for nurturing young talent in the performing arts.
“Spectacle Theatre has provided the catalyst for many children to pursue their ambitions in the performing arts.”
She added: “I am heartened by the declaration of the theatre’s management to continue a service after their funding is withdrawn but it is clear that painful decisions will have to be made after March unless this decision by the Arts Council of Wales is reversed.
“For example, six staff members based in the Rhondda are set to lose their jobs which does not include the numerous freelance artists, writers, actors, script writers and designers Spectacle Theatre works with.”
