Emmerdale actor backs local theatre campaign

An Emmerdale actor has backed a campaign to protect the future of an 80-year-old theatre.

James Moore, who plays Ryan Stocks on the soap, said he owed much of his career to Cheltenham Playhouse, where he acted in many productions as a teenager.

The theatre hopes to raise £80,000 after its reserves were used up during the pandemic.

"It's such an important place. They do so much for young actors in the area," Mr Moore, who lives in Gloucester, said.

The theatre, which receives no fixed funding, is fundraising to celebrate its 80th year "so that for another 80 years we can thrive as a centre for the arts in this wonderful community".

It has been open as a theatre since 1945 and puts on more than 100 performances a year as well as being home to Theatre Studio, the UK's only performing arts school based in a working theatre.

Mr Moore who has appeared in Emmerdale since 2018 said: "I have so many fond memories of being there."

He said many of the people he had performed there with "went onto massive drama schools in London and New York and all over the world".

"I think a lot of people would say, including me, that they owe their careers in a sense to what they've learnt at the Playhouse," he said.

Trustee Neil Burge said the theatre "is very viable as a running business" but the pandemic saw its savings pot used up "not the way we wanted to, just to sustain, just to stay alive".

He said the building, a former bath house, is ageing and they are struggling to keep up with its maintenance.

Vickie Long, chair of Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society said it was "vital" the theatre stayed open.

She said it had provided a "safe place" and helped her find a new community when she was orphaned at age 13.

The group's latest production, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has a cast ranging in age from 13 to over 70 and the theatre has "brought us all together, all ages, all backgrounds", Ms Long said.

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