The Esk Valley Theatre recently received a grant of £5,000 from the Arts Council and a further £1,000 from a Scarborough Council Community Revenue grant, which will go towards this year’s summer production of Vacuum by Deborah McAndrew.

Sheila Carter, co-producer and founder of this year’s season said the donations are a terrific boost to the future of theatre in the area and is a great start in covering the £28,000 production costs the theatre faces.

“This is great news for the future of professional theatre in the Esk Valley,” she said.

“These grants have got the ball rolling and we are awaiting further funding outcomes and pressing ahead with fund-raising events.”

Esk Valley Theatre is also appealing for more people and businesses to get involved in sponsorship with the theatre to help bring even more performances to the area.

“We believe rural audiences should have the opportunity to see professional theatre and we try to recruit the best available actors, directors and production staff we can afford,” she said.

“Public money invested in the theatre brings many benefits and creates significant activity to the Whitby area.

“It also means we can plan ahead with greater confidence and look to create further employment opportunities, particularly for actors.”

A fund-raiser for Esk Valley Theatre is being held a week on Sunday when acclaimed actor and director, Barrie Rutter, who has appeared in productions at The Royal National Theatre and with the Royal Shakespeare Company, will be performing A One Night Stand.

The show starts at 7.30pm and Sheila said they were privileged to have such an eminent performer at Glaisdale’s The Robinson Institute.

“It is a great honour for us that one of the country’s leading actors is giving up his one day off to come and support us.

“He is not only a fine actor and director but he founded the ground-breaking company, Northern Broadsides,” she added.

In June, the theatre will be hosting a new play about James Herriot and for more information on both events, call the theatre box office on (01947) 897587.