THE Wharf Theatre in Devizes may have to close its doors for good. Its entire season has been cancelled, resulting in a £30,000 shortfall in income.

With no income and outstanding invoices to be paid, the canalside theatre is running out of cash. Now trustees have launched an appeal, desperate to re-open in 2021.

Celebrity patron Christopher Biggins has put his shoulder behind the campaign, saying: “Please donate as much as you can to The Wharf Theatre. In these extraordinary times we are on the verge of losing all our large and smaller theatres, we need your help urgently.”

The Wharf underwent a major renovation about three years ago, leaving reserve funds low.

“We cannot see our beautiful little community theatre close due to this pandemic. We are seeking funding to support and enable the theatre to survive past this, meaning we can open our doors once more as a venue for people to explore theatre,” said chairman Oli Beech.

“We had planned to recoup that money in the 2020 season,” said trustee Oliver Phipps. “Our cashflow has been seriously hit, not just from the renovations, but we pay for things upfront in the theatre business, like paying for rights, bar stock, ice creams.”

A production of Jesus Christ Superstar was about to open when lockdown was announced, severely affecting cash flow. Newly-appointed artistic director Debby Wilkinson said: “It is utterly devastating, but we are determined to keep going. We are now looking at recording monologues, doing radio plays and musical evenings, even if they are only open to 20 people. But I can’t be clear on what until the government gives us more to go on.”

The 96-seater theatre, which has been going for 40 years, hosts between 20-30 productions a year, attracting more than 4,000 visitors. The Wharf is supported by a team of over 80 volunteers, 200 members and has been registered as an asset of community value by Wiltshire Council.

Grant applications have been made and the trustees are hoping they will be successful, as keeping the venue open costs around £60,000 per year. This money usually mainly comes from the Wharf’s own productions, hiring the venue to other groups to put on shows, donations and fundraising events, to pay the overheads and ongoing maintenance of the theatre.

As the campaign launched, people starting donating and leaving messages of support and it has already got more than £4,000 in the bank.

It is also holding costume sales which have boosted the coffers by £3,500.

“The Wharf Theatre is a great asset to Devizes and the wider community. It deserves our support to help it through this crisis, which is not of its making,” said Anne Walker.

You can help by going to justgiving.com/campaign/wharftheatre or contact info@wharftheatre.co.uk to make a donation.