The Crown Wharf Theatre charity has revealed its first founding partner as it continues to make big steps towards opening a brand new theatre in Stone.

LAUK Lighting, based on Stone Business Park in the town, has played a huge role in the project so far and has become a Gold Founding Partner.

Work started on the backstage area earlier this year and Oliver Freer from LAUK has not only donated his time and expertise, but the company is also providing all the required domestic lighting fittings for the project. Oliver has also helped the charity access vital electrical infrastructure equipment, which has been kindly donated by Schneider Electric.

The hardware alone would have cost the charity thousands of pounds, but in addition Oliver has given his time and professional expertise free of charge to produce vital domestic lighting designs for the project, as well as an online 3D model of the auditorium which gives an interactive, panoramic view of what the theatre will look like when it opens to the public.

Local businesses can become founding partners through making a monetary donation or, like LAUK, donating time, expertise and materials to the project. As a gold founding partner, LAUK will be featured on a Founders Board at the theatre and will get a Gold Founder plaque on one of the theatre seats. Plus they’ll get a plaque and certificate for their business premises.

Oliver said: “I had a tour of the theatre site in 2019 when it was nothing more than steels coming out of the ground. But I was so impressed by the project and its potential, so I wanted to get involved right then to help make this a reality. The theatre will be an amazing community space for everyone in the town. It’s been amazing to see the project progressing, and to be playing a part in making it happen is incredibly satisfying.”

Crown Wharf Theatre trustee Leo Capernaros added: “Right from the beginning, we’ve looked to build strong relationships with businesses in the area who share our vision for the town’s future and can see the potential of this fantastic facility in the heart of the community. Oliver’s help has been invaluable. We’ve been so fortunate to have so many people stepping forward and backing the Crown Wharf Theatre project. We couldn’t do it without them.”

The charity has been staging a variety of fundraising events this year, including an August Bank Holiday Theatre Takeover of the Joule’s Crown Wharf pub, and the charity’s first Wharfstock live music festival at Westbridge Park at the end of September. Coming up a musical theatre cabaret, as well as Christmas concerts and carolling with the Cantiamo Chamber Choir, Revellation Choir and Florence Brass Band at the Joule’s Crown Wharf pub will be taking place.

A number of funding bids have also been submitted for the auditorium stage of the project. The charity should find out before the end of the year if they’ve been successful.

More information at www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk

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