CHESTER MP Stephen Mosley has given his backing to a city theatre company, which has been given a substantial grant from Arts Council England.
Theatre in the Quarter has been granted £58,000 to put on two major productions this year. Additional investment will come from Chester Literature Festival, Cheshire West & Cheshire Council, 2011 Trust, Habitats & Hillforts, Rural Agenda and Cheshire Rural Touring Network.
Mr Mosley said: “With so much focus and attention being given to the plans for aŠnewŠtheatre in Chester it is easy to forget the excellent work being done elsewhere in the city.
“Theatre in the Quarter have established themsleves as a serious professional company now attracting national commissions andŠmajor arts funding.”
The first project, ‘James’, has been commissioned by 2011 Trust, the London-based organisation behind nationwide celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Theatre in the Quarter artistic director Matt Baker and writer Helen Newall will create a musical play focusing on the life of the king who survived the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Matt said: “Our award is attributed to the success of past projects in their quality, originality and appeal, as well as their ability to engage with large numbers of people.”
Frank Field MP, chairman of the 2011 Trust, was impressed by Matt’s music for the Chester Mystery Plays in 2008.
He said: “The trust is busy raising money to ensure that this brilliant group produces (the) musical.”
The second production has been commissioned by Habitats & Hillforts to celebrate Cheshire’s iron age forts. Forgotten Fortress will tour venues in Chester and Cheshire this Christmas.
Katherine West, head of arts and festivals at CWaC, said: “Theatre In The Quarter are a key partner organisation of the authority and we strongly value their work as the resident producer of high quality professional musical theatre.”
