LEISTON FILM THEATRE REACHES A NEW STAGE!

Live entertainment at Leiston’s iconic Film Theatre is to benefit from a series of major stage improvements, designed to enhance the shows for audiences and ease the effort of producing performances at the venue.

The upgrades include new stage safety flooring and automated stage tracking and have been made possible, thanks to a grant from Suffolk County Councillor T.J. Haworth-Culf, investment by Leistoncum-Sizewell Town Council and match funding from the Leiston Film Theatre Support Club.

The new stage safety flooring has been kindly sponsored at a cost of £1,968 by Suffolk County Councillor T.J. HaworthCulf, who recognises the efforts of everyone involved in keeping Suffolk’s oldest cinema going. “As a regular visitor to the Film Theatre, I’m only too aware of the endeavours that the management, Town Council and Support Club make, to ensure that the venue not only provides an excellent all-round experience, but has initiative to constantly improve that experience further.” she said.

The new automated stage tracking has cost £21,350 and has been funded by Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council, with match funding from the Leiston Film Theatre Support Club. The new system will enable scenery to be easily raised and lowered via a series of electronic winches.

Previously, these tracks had to be raised manually and could be extremely heavy and problematic. Lesley Hill, Chairman of the Leiston Film Theatre Support Club, is pleased that the club have been able to offer financial support and said “The Club is delighted that Councillor Haworth-Culf and Leiston Town Council have supported this phase of our ‘Behind the Scenes’ project which was launched in 2015.”

The Leiston Film Theatre Support Club was formed in 1992 and have raised in excess of £122,000 to provide financial assistance towards the many improvements made at the venue. The club has recently celebrated it’s 30th Anniversary and their grand draw raised an impressive £802. The Club currently has 265 members, with membership costing £6.00 per year. For further details about the Club and membership details, please visit the club’s website at: www. leistonfilmtheatresupport.club, or pick up a membership form from the Leiston Film Theatre box office.

The Club is always looking for committee members and helpers. If you would like to learn more, please contact Lesley Hill, Chairman, LFTSC on 01728 830514.

For further details about what’s on at Leiston Film Theatre, please visit: www. leistonfilmtheatre.co.uk, or find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.