There is life after Arts Council cuts. In July,
Theatre Absolute, in Coventry, had to close its innovative Shop Front Theatre after Arts Council England cut its core funding in March. Now, having reworked its business model, a new three-year lease for the space has been finalised with Coventry City Council. Julia Negus and Chris O’Connell from Theatre Absolute founded the Shop Front Theatre at 38 City Arcade in 2009, and its 18-month pilot programme resulted in more than 2,000 people visiting the shop as audiences, actors and participants. A new programme of theatre work will be announced next month and the space will also be available for other theatre makers. Long may it thrive!
