July 8, 2011

$500,000 DONATION, A SOLD OUT NIGHT AT THE AURORA AND A NEW FUNDRAISING EVENT ANNOUNCED

A sold out black tie event at the Aurora Centre last night and a significant donation from Pub Charity has added further momentum to The Court Theatre’s fundraising efforts to re-open in Christchurch before the end of this year.  

At last night’s event which raised $65,000, The Court’s Chief Executive, Philip Aldridge announced that half a million dollars has been donated by Pub Charity. This will go towards the $4.6 million urgently needed to construct the new Court Theatre in Addington, known as ‘The Shed’.

“We are hugely grateful to Pub Charity for their support which has also given the fundraising appeal a massive boost. We are focused on keeping this momentum going to ensure The Court can re-open before the end of the year,” says Philip Aldridge.

“After hearing last Friday that we may never be able to access the thousands of props and costumes and of course the very valuable technical equipment at The Arts Centre, the determination to re-open is even greater,” he adds.

Aldridge has also just announced that the ‘Host!’ dinners campaign will get underway in a few weeks.

“We are encouraging people to hold a dinner, invite friends and get them to put a price on the event – donating the money to The Court. It will be a fun event across Canterbury and we know there will dinners being held elsewhere in New Zealand, as well as overseas. It’s a chance for everyone to get involved whether it’s fish and chips and a couple of beers or a five course gourmet evening. Just like at The Court, everyone is welcome,” he says.  

Details about ‘Host!’ can be found on the Court Theatre website www.courttheatre.org.nz