Green Hammerton-based company Badapple Theatre, has secured £1,000 in support from North Yorkshire Council’s Stronger Communities Programme Inspire fund.
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The cash will help fund its family-friendly Christmas show; Polaris The Snow Bear which is currently on tour entertaining audiences of all ages nationwide and will be put towards six of the North Yorkshire performances.
The show is on tour later this month (Image: Supplied) Badapple was established by Kate Bramley back in 1998 and she takes her original productions to the smallest and hardest-to-reach village halls round Yorkshire and nationally.
Kate Bramley Kate says it comes at a precarious time for the company after three recent disappointing funding decisions from Arts Council England.
“This wonderful grant is fantastic”, said Kate.
“It reiterates how valuable our intergenerational performances are for local people across the county and we are delighted to have council backing.”
Polaris The Snow Bear with actors Tom Mordell and Danny Mellor (Image: Supplied) Designed to bring grandparents, parents and children together for an evening of fun and laughter in people’s local community venue, Polaris the Snow Bear is not the only current focus for this busy 26 year-old touring company. As well as a forthcoming panto mash-up Sleeping Beauty & The Beast across North Yorkshire from December 17 – January 5.
Tom Mordell and Danny Mellor on stage (Image: Supplied) Kate said: “We have never been more in demand, but we do need a little help. This year we have created five brand new shows, including our Youth Theatre production, making a night of community cheer the most affordable and enjoyable it has ever been.
“We want to be able to continue this, but without your help it is impossible.
“For the last four years we have tried everything to keep afloat but we are not regularly funded by Arts Council England and mostly rely on ticket sales to keep Badapple going. But it is not enough to cover increased demand this winter.”
Vital funding will go toward shows in North Yorkshire (Image: Supplied) The group has also launched a Crowdfunder appeal (www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/badappletheatre-sos) to help raise more urgent funding.
