Lion and Unicorn theatre gets boost in fight for future
Pictured: Theatre supporters Ray Shell, Edward Kingham, Nick Field and Andrea Hooymans
By JOSH LOEB
A FRINGE theatre company has won its campaign to keep its current venue open.
The Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Gaisford Street, Kentish Town, was warned it could close after its owner, Pubs'n'Bars PLC, went into administration.
The company is being administered by accountancy firm Grant Thornton, who this week told resident theatre company Giant Olive that, if the pub is not sold, the thespians would be allowed to see out the remaining two years of their contract.
Any sale of the pub would take place with the theatre attached, the firm said.
Fans of fringe theatre rushed to support the Giant Olive after reports in the New Journal and elsewhere that the Lion and Unicorn faced closure. In total, over £750 was donated to Giant Olive Community Theatre, the company's charitable arm.
Giant Olive co-founder George Sallis said the money will be put towards the company's community projects, which include producing new works by young playwrights, and would help the company find a permanent home when its lease at the Lion and Unicorn expires.