Last performance in city for cash crisis theatre group

Mar 10 2008 by Philip Key, Liverpool Daily Post

Tim Hibberd, Ann Farrar and David Allison of the theatre company Rejects Revenge _320

"IT WILL be an emotional night,” says Anna Farrar, of her theatre company’s visit to Liverpool’s Unity Theatre next Friday.

The occasion will mark the final appearance of the company Rejects Revenge at the Unity, where it was virtually born 18 years ago. The withdrawal of £90,000 of funding by the Arts Council North West has forced the company to close.

It will mark the end of 18 years of mostly comic shows that have kept not only Liverpool but the rest of the country entertained. A favourite with audiences and critics alike, the company she founded with actor/ writer Tim Hibberd just cannot continue without the financial backing.

It also means the end of overseas tours which have seen the company perform in places like Belgium, Greece, Hungary, Pakistan, Singapore and Spain.

The company has been touring its biggest show so far, Here Be Monsters, a quirky comedy set in 1908 about a scientist who invents a steam-powered space machine to go to the moon.

It is this show which will be given an unscheduled performance at the Unity, an extra date at the end of the tour to mark the company’s affinity with the theatre.

Its final performance will be the next evening at the Pyramid Arts Centre, in Warrington.

“It’s awful that we have had to close down but there was no way we could continue,” says Ann.

General manager Adrian Turrell-Watts – along with Farrar the only full-time member of the company – is undertaking the sad task of closing up the company’s Hope Street office.

“We don't know what we are doing yet but we may sell off our old props if anyone wants them,” says Farrar.

“We wanted this final Liverpool date to thank everyone who has supported us over the years.”

philkey@dailypost.co.uk