The theatre is essential for Cannock and the local area .... There is no where else for people to go for the entertainment that is provided here.
It's the lifeblood for the community and local area, taking it away will mean that people will no longer be able to go and see any entertainment
As an actor and an audience member like so many all over the world, destroying theatres means someone somewhere decides to stop feeding the soul of its population. Live arts feed the soul. To starve a local population of theatres is to deliberately kill creativity. Without creativity we shrivel.
The arts are vitally important to communities and to general wellbeing. Yet another example of the hypocrisy prevalent in local and national government in paying lip service to mental health issues while cutting the very things that could improve the sense of connection and happiness that being involved in the joy of the arts and community life brings.
I'm a local drama student, and every year we do a show at the prince of Wales. Many of the people I partake in stage school with want to purse ot as a job, myself included, by closing down the prince of Wales, the people in this community who love drama could possibly have a door close, as this is one of the best options for performance in the area, it's absurd to think that the council would shut down such a big outlet that is so important to so many. We need to stop this.
Cannock desperately needs the theatre to remain in it's current form. It provides a wide variety of entertainment and opportunities for local people of all ages to perform. My great niece is a member of a local musical society that put on performances there twice yearly. They will be devastated to lose this wonderful venue. Myself & my husband use the theatre regularly and it's always packed. We've been there twice in the last couple of weeks to see Rave On & Elf, both very well supported as always. The theatre also brings custom to the town's pubs and restaurants. I cannot believe that the council is even considering it's closure.
When I was a child I was in shows for dance and drama. A wonderful experience and I know children who are having that experience now. By closing the theatre not only takes away the joy for those children who are gaining so many valuable skills, but also the wider community getting to see shows they may otherwise not get to see, but also have a place to socialise good for mental health.
Without the Prince of Wales theatre ad the Museum of Cannock Chase there will be no ‘culture’ in the whole district. The theatre, and those who have performed there for many years is the heart of performing arts in the area. So many people have gone on to careers in the arts because of the opportunities this theatre gave them. Don’t let Cannock become a wasteland!
It is absolutely baffling that they would consult on closing this theatre without a replacement ready to go. Our town and district have already lost plenty of cultural hubs and community cohesion down the years, and now they want to remove one of the highlights of our town centre without a clear replacement and commitment to the arts in place.
We need more spaces like this and not less. I dearly hope that my young son and family can continue to have affordable access to theatre and the arts without having to spend an arm and a leg to travel outside the area to do so.