Like most companies canal-based Yorkshire theatre makers Mikron Theatre are struggling to survive the impact of the virus but they’ve set a very specific target to stay afloat – £48,337.49
That’s the amount the virus has cost them in lost income from shows, no merchandise, no programmes, or raffles after they were forced to cancel their entire 2020 season when they were going to premiere two new plays as the company toured the UK’s canals, rivers and roads.
Next year is Mikron’s 50th anniversary, so they asking their legion of fans to dig deep so they can finally perform two brand new shows; Amanda Whittington’s Atalanta Forever, which tells the story of Women’s football in the 1920s, and Polly Hollman’s canine comedy caper A Dog’s Tale.
And they deserve help as since they took the decision to cancel 130 shows they have been busy helping the community in their home village of Marsden in West Yorkshire. They have repurposed their office and van to assist with the village COVID-19 mutual aid group ‘Marsden Help’ and have delivered hundreds of food parcels and prescriptions to self-isolating and vulnerable families.
“We’re so incredibly sad not to be touring. In the early stages of the Coronavirus outbreak we looked at every possible combination, but none of them were practical,” says Artistic Director Marianne McNamara.
“What I would not give to see Mikron performing at a canalside venue to a large crowd with the sun setting behind us. We see the same faces in different places year on year and we really miss them, but the safety of the cast and crew, venues and of course our loyal audiences, had to come first.”
Since they were formed in 1972 Mikron have written 64 original shows, composed and written 384 songs, issued over 236 actor musician contracts, spent 30,000 boating hours on the inland waterways, covered 530,000 road miles, performed over 5060 times and performed to over 428,000 people
For further information and to donate please visit www.mikron.org.uk/appeal Donations can also be sent to Mikron Theatre, Marsden Huddersfield, HD7 6BW).