The Cellar at DINA Arts Centre on Cambridge Street, which used to be The Cutler pub, has had a makeover over the last few months, and has now announced the venue will be opening its doors this week on Wednesday 18 July.
The project started out when Miriam Schechter, of Dear Hunter Theatre, co-wrote Club Bazaar with Ben Price (pictured) and Emily Compton. The trio were looking for an underground venue for their dystopian play, set in a world where all art has been banned and driven underground. They hastily modified the space and saw a six night sell out show take place.
Miriam said: “Club Bazaar was set in a cellar, so when we found out that DINA had one we had a look inside and, despite it being cluttered, we quickly became adamant that this was where we would stage the show, no question about it.
“We hastily created a space to rehearse, perform and accommodate an audience and after that we did not think we would use the cellar again, but it naturally became ours as DINA were happy for us to take it on as a project.”
Fast forward eight months, and after 600 voluntary hours of hard graft, the cellar is now a safe, fully functioning theatre. Set to open Wednesday 18 July, the theatre has already planned in a packed schedule of artists and all ability workshops between July and September. There will also be discussions about art, theatre and philosophy.
The Cellar has received grants from UnLtd Spaces 4 Change fund to help with renovation costs, plus an exhibition by Sheffield artist Barbara Brookes has also been awarded funding by the Arts Council to go ahead in the venue later this summer.
The launch party on Wednesday 18 July is free to attend and will be in the form of a scratch night. Each artist will be able to perform a short ten minute performance, dance or spoken word piece.
For more information on The Cellar at DINA’s launch night on Wednesday 18 July, visit the event page.
