Play to the Crowd – the arts and education charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers creative learning and community engagement – has announced a new appeal to fundraise for the theatre’s outdated downstairs Stalls toilets.
The charity’s Give A Crap: Save Our Toilets appeal aims to raise £100,000 to help complete the theatre’s recent front-of-house refurbishments, including the current men’s and women’s downstairs toilets in order to provide a more appealing and comfortable experience for all – with audience members and visitors benefitting from modern, reliable and sustainable facilities once the project is done.
The long-awaited appeal comes after audiences complained about the ‘lack’ of toilets, cramped facilities, long queues, ‘tired’ appearance, and occasional broken fixtures – sentiments the charity acknowledge. Installed over 25 years ago, the toilets have become outdated, with stains and peeling paint marks following water damage.
The facilities are no longer suitable for the 80,000 people who visit the venue each year and stand-out against the contemporary theatre bar, foyer, Box Office and upstairs Circle toilets, which were all refurbished in recent years. The downstairs toilets, which are used by the majority, are in dire need of an upgrade and everyone can do their bit.
To help secure vital funds, Play to the Crowd has launched a Crowdfunder to raise £30,000, which can be found here – and as a way of saying thank you for such kind donations, donors can claim rewards. Including a Play to the Crowd tote bag (for a donation of £25 or more), Play to the Crowd memberships (starting from £45), and the chance to Name A Seat in the theatre’s beautiful heritage auditorium (£250 or more).
The public may have noticed that some work has already been carried out after Play to the Crowd started working with Masker Architects and Appledown Projects of Hursley in Hampshire to transform the former staff kitchen into toilets for all – cubicles everyone can use – Phase 1. Now the appeal aims to help raise money for Phase 2 – to refurbish the toilets downstairs, to improve the layout; provide more cubicles to reduce queues and waiting times; and include water-saving and energy-efficient features.
Play to the Crowd hopes that Phase 1 will be finished by 28 July 2025, meaning audiences and visitors are able to use the inclusive facilities while Phase 2 is being carried out – with the project completed in its entirety by the end of September.
The charity was able to start such major refurbishments after securing the majority of the £390,000 required for the full project through its Restoration Levy – money raised each time a ticket to a show is purchased; plus, generous grants from trusts and foundations – but it is asking the public for help so that it can cross the finish line and create a better experience for all, for generations to come.
Play to the Crowd needs to raise £100,000 to complete Phase 2 – some of this money will be raised through the Crowdfunder appeal, some offline. Individuals and businesses interested in investing in Phase 2, or the charity, are welcome to contact Fundraising Manager, Becca Moore at becca@playtothecrowd.co.uk.
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