Kenton theatre unsung heroes

THE Kenton Theatre in Henley wants to find its “Unsung Heroes”.

The trustees of the New Street venue want to honour those who have helped it over the years.

Tara Macleod, who chairs the trustees, said they wanted to acknowledge and celebrate all “significant contributions”.

The 240-seat theatre, which is more than 200 years old, has come close to closing a number of times over the years but for the efforts of campaigners to keep it going.

In 1963 the theatre was closed by the town council after falling into disrepair, but reopened again in 1967 after a restoration committee was set up and managed to raise more than £12,000 for essential building works.

In 2010 the Kenton for Keeps appeal was set up to enable the trustees to buy the lease from the theatre’s landlords, the Henley Municipal Charities, and raised £300,000.

The campaign was revived in 2020 to keep the theatre going during the covid pandemic.

Ms Macleod said: “The Kenton Theatre has always been a place of passion, dedication and community spirit. For more than 100 years, volunteers have been at the heart of its survival and success.

“In decades past, volunteers did more than welcome and attend patrons — they built, maintained, managed, performed at and sustained the theatre itself.

“This ranged from putting on shows, designing and constructing sets and staircases, painting the theatre, sewing curtains, fundraising, and personally donating to maintain its fabric to ensure the theatre’s survival in times of difficulty.

“Their efforts were exceptional. Without their dedication, the Kenton Theatre as we know it today simply would not exist.”

The theatre is inviting members of the public to help it identify those who have made a significant contribution.

To nominate someone, give their name, a short explanation of their contribution and when it was.

Nominations should be emailed to governance
@thekenton.org.uk or can dropped off at the theatre’s front desk marked for the attention of the board clerk.