This year’s panto may have fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic, but there is cause for celebration at The Regal with the news that they have been awarded more than £100,000 from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

The Regal has been awarded £116,000 to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, offering a burst of optimism that the panto will be back in all its boo-hiss glory next year.

The cinema, which first opened its doors in 1937, is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support, with £257 million of investment announced as part of the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England.

Westley Bone, manager at The Regal is delighted to have been awarded the cash the venue needs to take it through to March 31 next year, and sees it as a real tribute: “We have been recognised nationally by the Arts Council and they have given us a lifeline which has really enabled us to breathe and focus on next year. It’s really given us that injection of energy that will make 2021 great.”

Mr Bone reveals that planning for next summer’s community musical is already underway and this year’s postponed production of Sleeping Beauty will be back, all-singing, all-dancing next year.

“We have already got some events programmed for February, March and April, with Dire Straits tribute Dire Streets in the diary for February 20.

“We are obviously in a fluid situation,” says Mr Bone, “and events might have to change, but we are committed to the shows we have booked and the agents are equally committed to bringing them to Tenbury, even if the dates have to change.

“I have spoken to hundreds and hundreds of customers in recent months and everybody’s excited about coming back, which is great.”

Announcing the grants, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation.”

“It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.”

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country

“This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Major repairs to The Regal, necessitated following flood damage, have been completed including new seating throughout the auditorium, and other work has been undertaken to ensure the venue is more resilient in the event of further flooding.

  • Visit regaltenbury.co.uk for details of shows now booking at the venue.