Grant boost for festive arts project

Arts Council England (ACE) has given a welcome boost to the development of a festive arts project in Royal Victoria Place shopping centre by awarding the project a grant of £20,000.

The project sees the creation of The Little Vic Theatre and the development of the children’s show Fearless Fox and the Christmas Star. The Little Vic is a partnership between the Assembly Hall Theatre, Royal Victoria Place and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. The 90-seat theatre is being purpose built for the children’s show within a vacant retail unit.

Cllr Justine Rutland, the Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Development said: ‘I could not be more delighted with this grant from ACE and the generosity of our sponsors and supporters. Creating the Little Vic theatre allows us to put on high quality, original theatre in a retail location and I think everyone will love it. The Council is committed to bringing new and innovative activities into RVP, creating attractions that will boost footfall and complement retail and hospitality businesses.’

Fearless Fox and the Christmas Star with its puppetry, animation, and original music and songs will offer younger visitors the perfect introduction to live theatre during the festive season.

The Little Vic project is made possible with the grant from ACE and the generosity of headline sponsors, RBC Brewin Dolphin and Maddisons Residential. Additional support comes from Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, Visit Tunbridge Wells and Brewers Decorator Centres, and partner charity The Fox Project.