The crucial role of community theatre
Immediate Theatre’s estate-based youth programs have changed countless lives. But, like many arts organisations in the UK, it is now facing financial uncertainty due to government cuts.
By Irene Molina Garzon
For over 25 years, Immediate Theatre has been a vital part of Hackney’s artistic scene, using theatre as a tool for engagement and education. Founded by Jo Carter, the charity was created to remove barriers that prevent young people from accessing the arts.
Unlike many theatre companies, Immediate Theatre doesn’t ask young people to come to them; they go directly to the communities that need them the most. “What Immediate Theatre does, which is fantastic, is that a lot of their projects are estate-based... rather than ask young people to come to us, we try our best to go to them,” said Charmain Humphrey, Participation Manager.
Suzy Smith, General Manager, highlights the importance of accessibility: “One of the biggest barriers isn’t just cost, it’s actually getting there. Parents are working, or young people are looking after younger siblings. If we do activities on estates or through schools, that first barrier is taken away.”
Beyond theatre, Immediate Theatre provides emotional and social support to its participants. Humphrey recalled one particularly heart-breaking case: “We’ve had a long-term relationship with a young lady who first joined us when she was 13. Over the last four years, she’s lost her dad, her brother, and her mum. In fact, her mum passed away during one of our sessions. We called to check where she was, and that’s when we found out what had happened.”
Immediate Theatre even stepped in to help the girl keep her home: “After her mum passed, there were tenancy issues, the council wanted to take the property from them. We fought for her to keep it because, for her, losing that home would have been the final blow."
Humphrey continues, “Even now, she still brings it up in sessions. She says, ‘My mum, my brother and my dad are angels.’ And I know, because I knew all of them.”
Despite its incredible impact, Immediate Theatre faces an ongoing battle for survival due to financial instability. “You never know if money’s coming in or not. You never know when the money’s going to dry up,” said Humphrey.
Government funding for the arts in the UK has significantly plummeted in recent years. Local authority support has largely disappeared, and arts charities are left scrambling for project funding instead of receiving stable core funding.
Immediate Theatre has experienced the direct consequences of these cuts. “We lost the ability to provide hot meals for young people at our sessions, which for some was the only hot meal they’d get that day,” said Humphrey. Fundraising has become increasingly difficult, with many grants refusing to cover core costs like staff salaries and venue expenses.
The challenges faced by Immediate Theatre are part of a broader trend affecting arts organisations across the UK. In November 2022, Arts Council England announced major changes to its investment programme, resulting in funding cuts for many prominent institutions. The National Theatre faced a reduction of over £850,000, the Royal Opera House nearly £3 million, and the Donmar Warehouse lost its entire grant of over £500,000.
The frequent changes in UK governments in recent years have contributed to this financial instability in the arts sector. Each administration has different priorities, leading to uncertainty in funding allocations. The Conservative-led governments have emphasised austerity measures, resulting in reduced arts funding at both national and local levels. While there have been discussions about increasing investment in cultural projects, many organisations are still struggling to recover from previous cuts.
Despite these challenges, Immediate Theatre remains committed to its mission. Smith expressed hope for the future: “I want to build clear pathways for young people, so that if they want to work in the creative industries, they know there’s a way in.”
The impact of Immediate Theatre is undeniable. It’s more than just a theatre company; it is a lifeline for many young people in Hackney. But without stable funding, its future remains uncertain.
As government support for the arts continues to shrink, the survival of vital community organisations depends on public awareness and private contributions. If the UK truly values the power of the arts to transform lives, it must ensure that organisations like Immediate Theatre are not left behind.
