Express & Star

Wolverhampton Grand at 125: Wrestling with fundraising task

It took a couple of mammoth men to help launch a huge appeal.

Published
Sumo duo Steve Mantle, left, and Paul James help to launch the Grand's 1994 centenary fundraising drive

Sumo duo Steve Mantle, left, and Paul James certainly fitted the bill in these outfits.

The pair were snapped outside Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre in January 1994 to mark the start of a fundraising drive to celebrate the much-loved venue's 100th birthday later that year.

They clearly found it a bit of a squeeze when they tried a Nissan Micra car for size. The vehicle, donated by Lex-Nissan, of Stafford Street, was star prize in a centenary lottery which aimed to raise an ambitious £3.5 million for the theatre's planned facelift.

The cash was raised by public donation, business sponsorship and grants, with theatre chiefs vowing that they would not borrow any cash to carry out the work. Three years of refurbishment began in 1995.

The massive refurbishment focused on revamping the public areas, including the bars and restaurant, laying new carpets and redesigning the seating.

Other changes involved improving the backstage area so that larger ballets, musicals and operas could be staged at the theatre, in Lichfield Street.

The cash-generating ideas also included selling limited edition merchandise based on the theatre's centenary, a gala day in December, `buy a seat' sponsorship, corporate packages and prize lottery, the subject of our picture.

The fund was given a good start with a grant of £100,000 from the Foundation for Sports and the Arts. Among the first members of the new Grand Theatre Business Club were the MEB, the Express & Star and Manders Property (Estates).

The picture is reproduced here as the E&S joins with the Grand to celebrate another of the theatre's milestone anniversary – its 125th birthday.

* If you have any stories or pictures, email 125@grandtheatre.co.uk or in writing to 125 Memories Project, c/o Stage Door, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, WV1 1DE.