Theatre’s Trust Awards Grant for LED Lights

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds produces four in-house productions a year as well as presenting its own work, and is proud to co-create with local charities and community groups including survivors of domestic abuse, homeless and vulnerable groups, those recovering from addiction, older people, adults with learning disabilities and those of the Global Majority. As part of the theatre’s ongoing strategy to achieve best practice in sustainability, the Theatre’s Trust grant will fund the first phase of upgrading its lighting rig to a full LED rig. As well as the environmental and cost benefits, this project will raise Theatre Royal’s ambitions and heighten the experience for audiences, participants and artists.

One of Theatre Royal’s ambitions is to achieve best practice on energy efficiency and sustainability. The theatre is working on a plan to achieving zero-carbon status in relation to creating in-house productions, the theatre building and their front-of house operations.

Dave Thwaites, Technical Manager at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds said: “As part of our ongoing strategy to identify improvements to make our building more energy efficient, we have identified the need to replace our ageing lighting rig. This project would provide us with the capital to make an immediate ‘quick win’ energy efficiency adaptation, that will endure, and, when the full lighting rig is replaced, it will ensure a minimum saving of over £30,000 annually, along with an annual saving of around £2000 on lamp replacements, so is key to our future sustainability.”

“Theatre Royal is committed to developing environmentally sustainable practices. We want our unique, Grade-I listed building to be a fusion of historic architecture and cutting-edge technology. These new LED lanterns will not only give our artists the very best tools to work with, they will also reduce our energy costs and our carbon footprint.” – Owen Calvert-Lyons, Artistic Director at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.