Cryer Arts Theatre launches £150,000 fundraiser to “secure its future”
A pre-tour venue for top comics like Harry Hill and Tim Vine, Cryer Arts now needs urgent support to fix outdated infrastructure and “secure its future”
The Cryer Arts Theatre in Carshalton has launched a campaign backed by comedians such as Harry Hill, Chris McCausland and local Tim Vine, turning to the community to help raise funds to keep their doors open.
Cryer Arts is the last theatre in the London Borough of Sutton, hosting events from live music and comedy to amateur dramatics and tribute nights. There is now an online campaign backed by comedians to support the goal of raising £150,000.
Outside the entrance to Cryer Arts
Since 2019, when the current four directors opened the theatre, nearly 800 shows have taken place there, attracting over 75,000 people through its doors. Built in the 1980s and left in disrepair for years, the building is now in urgent need of upgrades to its boiler system, windows and overall energy efficiency.
Due to the ageing infrastructure of the venue, the arts centre is calling on the community to help raise funds. A survey by Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre revealed there are 43 theatres currently at risk of closing in 2025.
Talking with Gary Milsom, one of Cryer Arts’ four directors, he shared how the theatre is a much loved part of the borough. Hosting events for all, “we have a small saying” he shared, “if somebody comes into this building […] you leave with a smile on your face.”
The current directors took over the building in 2019 after it was “mothballed by Sutton Council”, Milsom shared, “on getting the keys, the inside was empty, it cost over £300,000 to restore the building to be safe for the public”. The directors relaunched the theatre that winter, but just as momentum was building, the COVID pandemic hit and the theatre was forced to close again.
He shared how the building has three 35-year-old boilers, single-glazed windows, and energy bills that reach £70,000 a year. A recent lift failure cost £10,000 to fix, but accessibility is at the heart of what the theatre stands for, so it was a non-negotiable fix.
Painted backdrop in the Cryer Arts garden including a portrait of Gary Milson
Gary Milsom took us on a tour of the building, even up to the secret lighting rig balcony at the top of the stage. He shared, “We’re not a charity, we are a stand-alone business […] so we don’t qualify for any of the grants. We just have to stand on our own two feet.” He shared that the Arts Council England offers a “survival grant” after COVID, to help support with bounce back loans.
A spokesperson for the London Borough of Sutton said, “The Cryer Arts is a key cultural venue in Sutton, and we’re committed to helping them stay open. The Council is providing financial support through reduced rent and while their lease states that the Cryer Arts is responsible for building repairs and maintenance, we’re offering access to our supply chain.”
Talking about the primary financial difficulties “Well, it’s twofold”, said Milsom, “The energy costs have been ridiculous”, but in addition “our staff costs are probably the highest”. The theatre employs around 30 full and part time members of staff across the theatre, bar and technical crew, “the recent increase in National Insurance rates hit us quite hard”.
One of Milsom’s highlight memories is when Harry Hill came to Cryer Arts with his wordless ‘Experiments in Comedy’ show. He shared things got unexpectedly chaotic “he stole a woman’s handbag as part of the act”, prompting a staged scuffle with a “techie”. It ended a little too enthusiastically with the bag flying through the air, and the women’s handbag contents spilling everywhere, “the audience loved it… except maybe the handbag’s owner.”
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HeadlineCryer Arts Theatre launches £150,000 fundraiser to “secure its future”
Short Headline Carshalton’s last theatre turns to the community to help secure its future
Standfirst A pre-tour venue for top comics like Harry Hill and Tim Vine, Cryer Arts now needs urgent support to fix outdated infrastructure and “secure its future”
The Cryer Arts Theatre in Carshalton has launched a campaign backed by comedians such as Harry Hill, Chris McCausland and local Tim Vine, turning to the community to help raise funds to keep their doors open.
Cryer Arts is the last theatre in the London Borough of Sutton, hosting events from live music and comedy to amateur dramatics and tribute nights. There is now an online campaign backed by comedians to support the goal of raising £150,000.
Outside the entrance to Cryer Arts
Since 2019, when the current four directors opened the theatre, nearly 800 shows have taken place there, attracting over 75,000 people through its doors. Built in the 1980s and left in disrepair for years, the building is now in urgent need of upgrades to its boiler system, windows and overall energy efficiency.
Due to the ageing infrastructure of the venue, the arts centre is calling on the community to help raise funds. A survey by Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre revealed there are 43 theatres currently at risk of closing in 2025.
Talking with Gary Milsom, one of Cryer Arts’ four directors, he shared how the theatre is a much loved part of the borough. Hosting events for all, “we have a small saying” he shared, “if somebody comes into this building […] you leave with a smile on your face.”
The current directors took over the building in 2019 after it was “mothballed by Sutton Council”, Milsom shared, “on getting the keys, the inside was empty, it cost over £300,000 to restore the building to be safe for the public”. The directors relaunched the theatre that winter, but just as momentum was building, the COVID pandemic hit and the theatre was forced to close again.
He shared how the building has three 35-year-old boilers, single-glazed windows, and energy bills that reach £70,000 a year. A recent lift failure cost £10,000 to fix, but accessibility is at the heart of what the theatre stands for, so it was a non-negotiable fix.
Painted backdrop in the Cryer Arts garden including a portrait of Gary Milson
Gary Milsom took us on a tour of the building, even up to the secret lighting rig balcony at the top of the stage. He shared, “We’re not a charity, we are a stand-alone business […] so we don’t qualify for any of the grants. We just have to stand on our own two feet.” He shared that the Arts Council England offers a “survival grant” after COVID, to help support with bounce back loans.
A spokesperson for the London Borough of Sutton said, “The Cryer Arts is a key cultural venue in Sutton, and we’re committed to helping them stay open. The Council is providing financial support through reduced rent and while their lease states that the Cryer Arts is responsible for building repairs and maintenance, we’re offering access to our supply chain.”
Talking about the primary financial difficulties “Well, it’s twofold”, said Milsom, “The energy costs have been ridiculous”, but in addition “our staff costs are probably the highest”. The theatre employs around 30 full and part time members of staff across the theatre, bar and technical crew, “the recent increase in National Insurance rates hit us quite hard”.
One of Milsom’s highlight memories is when Harry Hill came to Cryer Arts with his wordless ‘Experiments in Comedy’ show. He shared things got unexpectedly chaotic “he stole a woman’s handbag as part of the act”, prompting a staged scuffle with a “techie”. It ended a little too enthusiastically with the bag flying through the air, and the women’s handbag contents spilling everywhere, “the audience loved it… except maybe the handbag’s owner.”
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