Rescue Act Of Faith

The splendid St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth is the triumphant validation of a determined community vision, as RICHARD BATSON reveals

- Richard Batson

IT IS A landmark building in the heart of a busy seaside town whose ‘congregation’ has changed from worshippers to theatre goers. Under the ornate bell tower of St George’s Chapel in Great Yarmouth, religious hymns and prayers have fallen silent and have been replaced by the secular sights and sounds of music, movies, comedy and drama.

The resurrection of the stunning redundant church has been an act of faith, driven by community volunteers whose vision was to recycle it into an arts centre. Although the building looks like a solid cornerstone of the town’s fabric – sitting on a busy junction at King Street but a stone’s throw away from the green quietness of St George’s park – its history has been as dramatic as some of the performances it now hosts.

It opened in 1721, was deconsecrated in 1959, declared redundant in 1971, converted to a theatre in 1973, and closed from 2006 to 2012 for £7.5m worth of major structural repairs including dealing with an unstable tower. Making it into a viable venue for the arts was the dream of the Masquers amateur drama group, including eminent actor and director Henry Burke, backed by other arts and heritage supporters in the 1970s.

Chairman of the trustees Barry Coleman says: “There was a real risk of St George’s being demolished at one stage, but the community was keen to save a landmark building which is close to its heart. St George’s has been through many ups and downs over the past 300 years, but a lot of hard work has gone into turning it into an arts and community venue.

“We have had Arts Council funding to draw up a strategy for the future and we are now heading in the right direction towards becoming as self-sufficient as we can – but we need the community’s support to get there,” says Barry.