A STRUGGLING theatre is fighting to raise enough money to avoid its last curtain call.

The Headgate Theatre in Colchester has launched a crowdfunder tin a bid to raise money to upgrade the stage sound and lighting systems.

It comes after lockdown measures meant it had to dip into its reserves just to keep the bills paid on the Grade II listed building.

To cover the catastrophic loss of income, the volunteer-led group is now appealing for £15,000 to cover costs and keep the theatre going.

The venue has been home to amateur and professional groups since it opened in 2002.

Not only that, but it also acts as a community hub for dance groups, exercise groups and groups for the over 50s, which stayed open during the first lockdown in a Covid-safe way.

However, sell-out performances were postponed in the spring and eventually all planned events were cancelled up to Christmas including the annual pantomime which has been a major fundraising event for more than 15 years.

Management committee chairwoman Dawn King said: “It’s frustrating, disappointing and so damaging for professional theatre companies and all people associated with it.

“People like live performance.

“We cast our first theatre production which we’ll be doing hopefully in March which is a play called Two by Jim Cartwright.

“So we’re still there, we still keep plugging on.

“It’s the stopping and starting which is so demoralising and demotivating.

“Our reserves will deplete rapidly next year.

“We think we’ll get to the autumn season but we would need to see some activity by the summer to keep us going.

“Performance is very much a part of people’s lives, either being part of it or watching it.

“For those people for whom it’s really important, it’s been a really difficult time.”

Crowdfunder teamed up with the Theatres Trust to launch #SaveOurTheatres, a new national campaign which has already raised more than £1.3 million to save hundreds of UK theatres at risk of permanent closure.

So far, the group has raised more than £2,500 but hopes to boost that total with the campaign running for a few more weeks. To donate, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/helpheadgatetheatre.