Restoration

The success of the Restoration Appeal, which raised £5.3 million, was as much of an achievement as the restoration itself.

Launched in 2003, the appeal drew on the goodwill, support and enthusiasm of a huge number of people and organisations. Celebrities including Timothy West, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Peter Hall, Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi, to name but a few, gave their support and thus a great deal of weight to the campaign.

Large donations from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£1.95 million), National Trust (£500,000), Arts Council England East, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, the Theatre Royal Foundation and Friends of the Theatre Royal gave a solid foundation on which to build, but a further £2million was raised through sheer determination and hard work.

The Development Committee, chaired by Sir David Rowland, oversaw a host of spectacular and star-studded events, applications for grants and, personal approaches and initiatives such as sponsorship of restored Theatre boxes, seats and even bricks. Hundreds of local and not-so-local people, keen to see their Theatre restored to its Regency splendour, rallied round and gave their time, money and expertise.

The Appeal's success is testament to the strength of feeling which so many people have for this unique Theatre and its creative work. Thank you to everyone who helped in so many ways, large and small.

Heritage Lottery Fund £1,999,000

St Edmundsbury Borough Council £250,000

Suffolk County Council £150,000

Arts Council England East £250,000

Friends of Theatre Royal £32,828

Theatre Royal Foundation £200,000

National Trust £557,746

Public Appeal £1,948,284