Theatre of dreams

Jason Lower is currently acting CEO at Trinity Theatre alongside his ‘day job’ of being the venue’s Director of Creative Engagement. Here he brings Eileen Leahy up to speed about what’s currently happening at Trinity including the imminent launch of the venue’s new Clock Tower viewing platform and its plans for the new Autumn/Winter season…

It’s fair to say that Trinity Theatre is considered one of the biggest gems in Tunbridge Wells’s cultural crown, offering a mix of live theatre, cult film screenings, art exhibitions, community workshops and so much more.

But it’s also true that its journey has been somewhat rocky since it first opened as a theatre on Church Road back in 1982.

Funding issues, the colossal impact of Covid and general cost of living crises have all meant Team Trinity have had to work extra hard to ensure this extraordinary arts venue, which is housed in a former Decimus Burton-designed church in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, has a solid future.

Happily now though, ahead of its new Clock Tower viewing platform being opened later this month and a new CEO being appointed in October, the curtain seems to be rising again at Trinity. 

I caught up with its Director of Creative Engagement Jason Lower, who is also currently Acting CEO, to discover what’s currently going on behind the scenes…

The first question I ask is what happened to the venue’s former CEO Nick Mowat who was in the role for 16 months and was responsible for getting Trinity back on its feet post-pandemic.

“Nick came out of retirement to help steady the ship after the uncertainties of Covid and the slow return of audiences,” explains Jason.

“He did a great job, but quite rightly he wanted to get back to enjoying his retirement, so left the role earlier this year having helped sort out our financial situation. He is still very much involved though as Programmer and Christmas Pantomime Producer.”

This year the theatre will be putting on Sleeping Beauty from December 14 to January 5 after its first ever panto, Cinderella, was so well received last year.

Since Nick’s departure from the CEO role it has been Jason who’s been running things and he’s very much enjoyed it.

“Trinity is full of untapped potential. I have been here for nearly nine years, and I still think we have only scratched the surface of what we can do,” continues Jason. 

“A recent report on the social impact of Trinity’s work showed that for every £1 invested, we generate £6.22 worth of social return but it doesn’t generate the same return on income, sadly. 

“This is through programmes such as Speech Bubbles, our drama-based intervention for children with speech, language and communication needs; Transitions, our work with school children moving from Year 6 to Year 7; our youth theatre; our activities for adults experiencing social isolation, such as our Movers, Singers and Play Reading groups; and so much more. We have established a new partnership with The Skinners’ School, sharing a new Junior Technician who will work and be trained at Trinity Theatre, and support the students at the school in their drama and music performances.”

And then of course there’s Trinity’s ‘brilliant artistic and cinematic programme that takes place throughout the year’ adds Jason.

“All that benefits audience members and the local economy – you only have to go into Cote on a night we have a big comedian on, and you can see the impact!

“Our youth theatre has been incredibly popular, and we are adding more activities in this area, but now also for adults. We have a dedicated volunteer team that helps keep Trinity thriving, and I am keen to keep deepening their involvement with the charity.”

Trinity is also a space for community activities – such as the monthly Repair Cafe, its weekly Chatty Cafe, play script readings, movement and singing groups, and there are also regular exhibitions in the venue’s gallery.

I mention that Trinity’s new branding looks very smart and Jason tells me that it was created by Partners Studio&.

“We also have a new website coming soon thanks to Step3 Digital, making it easier to engage and book tickets for shows here. We now have a new Marketing and Audience Development Manager, Katie Jenkins, who will be working alongside our existing junior marketing team to spread the word about Trinity, the events we have on and the good work we do.”

After a tumultuous time at the beginning of 2023 where Trinity had to fundraise thousands in order to save it from closing, I ask Jason how the business side of Trinity is now looking.

“Thankfully stronger than where we were in January last year but as an arts charity with no core funding in a beautiful but challenging venue, we will never be completely out of the woods. We were very fortunate to receive incredible donations last year from individual benefactors and local businesses when we needed it most.

“One local business mentor helped fund the social value report I mentioned earlier, showing the 1:6.22 social return on investment that will help us articulate our case to funders more.”

He adds that benefactors are always needed and can help support through a variety of different projects, or by becoming a Lifetime Member, leaving a legacy in a will, or donating money regularly. 

“We pride ourselves on the strength of our relationships with local businesses and the flexibility of our partnerships, led by Sara Rice.”

Jason adds that Trinity is ‘incredibly grateful’ to its Corporate Partners for their contributions that go beyond the financial.

“This includes advice on different aspects from Berry & Lamberts Solicitors, Knight Frank, Panoramic Wealth Management, Maxipay Accounting Services and others, to training and support from Wiser Safety Management, catering from Cote, audit services from Hilden Park Accountants; and the aforementioned rebrand and website from Studio& and Step3 Digital.”

He says that Thrive, part of the Retirement Village Group, who are developing the old cinema site opposite the theatre, are supporting the new Clock Tower viewing platform for the next three years.

“Thrive are also our Community Partner. We are really excited to be working with them to offer services to their residents as well as being a cultural destination on their doorstep.”

The project has also been supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation. 

“The panoramic views are stunning, and the heritage material on the way up and down is really interesting,” states Jason about the new experience which opens later this month. “It tells the story of Trinity from its inception in 1829, to it being saved from demolition in the 1980s, and its life today as a vital cultural hub in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.”

And finally, how would Jason sum up the spirit of Trinity as it now goes into its 43rd year?

“I’d say it’s inclusive, high quality and joyful. We want to provide life-enriching creative experiences; using the arts to inspire, engage and entertain.”

For more information on Trinity Theatre and its upcoming schedule for autumn/winter visit www.trinitytheatre.net or
 @trinitytheatretw