Theatre in Thornbury

Having recently seen Jeremy Hardy at the Sundial Theatre in Cirencester, I was convinced that the word theatre is more to do with the performance than the surroundings so I checked in the dictionary:

1. building designed for the performance of plays, opera, etc.
2. plays regarded collectively as a form of art
3. world of actors, theatrical companies, etc.

So why should Thornbury need a new theatre (the building) to stage theatre (the performance)?

The Sundial Theatre and the Armstrong Hall seem to be treated differently in their respective communities. They are very similar, both seating just over 300, offer raised seating and both have a bar, although I prefer the one at the Armstrong Hall.

There is a different atmosphere at the Sundial where the volunteers who run it seem totally dedicated to bringing performance to Cirencester at every opportunity. Their focus is on performances not the venue.

Perhaps the names of the buildings constrain their use? The Armstrong Hall was built at a time when Thornbury didn't have a sports centre and many of the smaller venues had yet to be built. It was logical then to call it a 'hall'. Perhaps we need a simple rebranding, for example by changing the name to Armstrong's?

If live theatre is viable in Thornbury someone needs to demonstrate it by hosting more entertainments. Perhaps introduce regular Saturday night performances? Or introduce a week in Autumn to counterbalance the Arts Festival in the Spring?

We already have a team of volunteers with the energy, enthusiasm and skills to stage professional shows on a regular basis - ACT - it's just that they are directing their talents towards theatre (the building) rather than theatre (the performance). How much better if they were to direct their efforts towards demonstrating that there is a future for frequent professional theatre performances in Thornbury?

That brings me to the key issue - financial viability. Operation of the Sundial seems to be financially viable and that will be the key to its long-term success. I don't know the extent to which it relies on grants from Cirencester Town Council or subsidies from Cirencester College. What I do know is that the people of Thornbury deserve to know the factors underlying its viability and understand the context and extent to which they might be asked to underwrite new theatre (venue or performances) in Thornbury.