THEATRE lovers are being asked to get involved in planning for the future of arts in Winchester as the charity behind Theatre Royal gets set to reopen.

Play to the Crowd, the arts and education charity behind Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers, is calling on the community to join in the conversation.

Chief Executive Deryck Newland said: “Everyone deserves the right to escape from the ordinary and be delighted and united by the power of live performance and participation.

"Organisations like ours aren’t going to come out the other side of this crisis the same as they were before. As a charity we need to think about what matters most to our communities. It’s not right that we make that decision by ourselves – we need the public’s help.

"We need to hear what matters most to you and your community and how the arts can best help.

"What are your top priorities and how can we better deliver the human right, and I believe it is a fundamental right, for everyone to access arts and culture, regardless of their means or circumstance.

"How are we going to come out the other side of this pandemic and be even better able to deliver to that charitable mission in Winchester and the surrounding area?”

Consultations will take place throughout June. To join in, email deryck@playtothecrowd.co.uk.

Theatre Royal Winchester and its cafe bar are temporarily closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. to support the charity, which is suffering a major financial impact, become a member, make a donation or purchase a ticket for future productions at playtothecrowd.co.uk