Thanks to The Friends of Kirk Theatre, audiences at the Pickering venue will be treated to a new and improved sound system. Since reopening the theatre after Covid, the Friends Group of volunteers have managed to raise £4,500 to purchase new sound equipment for the theatre. The money has been used to replace the recently defunct Sound Desk and speakers with a new top of the range system.
For some years now, the theatre has been running a pop-up cinema once a month, along with their more traditional live performances. The new equipment will work seamlessly and provide enhanced sound quality, for both cinema and theatre audiences alike. Theatre Manager Luke Arnold said ‘On behalf of everyone at the theatre, we are extremely grateful to Kath Arksey and Caroline Brown, joint Chairs of the Friends of Kirk Theatre for their tireless efforts raising funds through coffee mornings and cake stalls and even raffling a giant Easter egg, all in aid of purchasing this new equipment. Our previous system was 20 years old and was in need of an update. Following the recent Covid closures, the theatre was left with little funds and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the Theatre and Friends in our efforts since reopening. We are all excited to showcase this at our next production.’
Kath Arksey, Friends co-Chair, said ‘We are delighted to be able to help out the Kirk Theatre with this desperately needed piece of equipment. The Society has worked hard behind the scenes over the last couple of years to ensure that we still have a Theatre to open up to the public. In order to ensure the quality of shows we strive to produce, it was necessary to replace our sound desk, but with the closure of the Theatre during the Covid pandemic, funds are very much depleted.’
The first two events showcasing the new equipment will be the monthly pop-up cinema, showing Belfast on Wednesday 5 October, and Pickering Musical Society’s October concert ‘Let Yourself Go’ from 13-15 October. Tickets are available for these events and more online at www.kirktheatre.co.uk or via the theatre box office on 01751 474833.