Like many other venues, the arts centre has been largely closed for the last year due to Covid restrictions but plans to reopen should restrictions ease as planned in mid-May.

The centre has received support from The Theatres Trust with a grant of £4,700 – part of a larger £155,000 pot of funding from the advisory body – towards PPE to keep staff and audiences safe once they return to the theatre.

Hanger Farm Arts Centre is run by Minstead Trust, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities to live more independent lives. People are supported in gaining work experience in the centre’s café, and the trust also runs an inclusive community theatre group.

Hanger Farm Arts Centre manager, Kyle Maxwell, said, “After a long, difficult year it is really exciting to be looking forward with optimism to the day when we can welcome audiences back to the Arts Centre.

“This grant from the Theatres Trust is a huge help to our efforts to make a visit to the theatre this summer as safe and enjoyable as possible. Our preparations for reopening will now be able to continue apace, as we get ready for a jam-packed schedule of music, theatre and comedy in the second half of the year.”

Jon Morgan, Theatres Trust director, says, “We are beginning to look forward to a time when theatres can reopen, welcome audiences back inside and continue to play a vital role in their communities. Following a difficult year, Theatres Trust is delighted to be able to support Hanger Farm Arts Centre, a much-loved community theatre, with its plans for a safe reopening.”

Shows at Hanger Farm Arts Centre are available to book now at www.hangerfarm.co.uk