Here at the Salon Varietes Theatre, the community prides itself on the hard work and perseverance it takes to rehearse, learn lines, built sets, prepare props, choreograph, Direct, costume, clean, paint and everything else it takes to put on a show!
It has been an equal challenge to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and it's outcomes for the theatre.
As with most of the world's theatres, it was in March 2020 that the Salon was forced to close it's doors.
Despite opening in October 2020 for a number of shows, including EVITA, the very difficult decision was made to postpone further shows and close once again for an unforeseeable amount of time. Even if allowed to open, there was too much of a risk for the theatre's financial security. It was also a safety consideration for the clientele, many of which are in more vulnerable categories.
In late 2020, an emergency Fundraising Team was formed within the Board to tackle this reality, despite us not being able to put on shows at that time. It was anticipated that the theatre would need € 30,000 to reach the end of March to stay financially viable.
Ideas started pouring in from supporters, many of which were immediately planned!
From the Christmas Bazaar organised by Dahlia Helsby and her volunteers, to Claire Hiron's New Year's Day swim, Eva Lloyd's online concerts, Luisa Carver's Ramble to Re-open walks, Johnny G and Melissa Carver's La Sierra Fundraiser, and Sarah Jane's I LOVE THE THEATRE photo wall, which is still active. Then, a fabulous golf tournament organised by John Gale that brought over € 5,500 into the pot and a heartwarming fundraiser by Colin Pollard raising € 1504.57!
Notable donations were made by The Arts Society, the Association of FOTA, Lynn Halliday (as a private donation), Colmenar Social Club, Torreblanca Golf Society, Smart Move Marbella, Nero Vodka, Specsavers, South Coast Kitchens, to name a few. There was also just under € 4,000 worth of donations from anonymous donors, including 2 one thousand euro donations. The theatre thanks each and every donor for their support.
In total the Theatre Association received well over 350 individual direct donations, and many more showed up for events and contributed to the total figure.
In total, the fundraising efforts combined to bring in € 31,780 to the Theatre between December 2020-Spring 2021. This income allowed the theatre to keep it's financial commitments, return it's staff to work and begin again producing shows.
In terms of external (not board managed) fundraising events, all but one of these fundraisers showed full accountability and transferred their donations directly to the Theatre. This shows a high level of integrity amongst almost all fundraisers, for which the theatre is grateful.
Since opening in early September, loyal clientele and new guests of the theatre are starting to return, the theatre is now at 100% capacity and has seen some full capacity show during the season.
Furthermore, upon the request of dozens of guests, a fundraising social club has been established called the
THEATRE LOYALTY CLUB (affectionately known as T.L.C) which aims to host events throughout the year, offer perks and selected discounts and help to support the theatre community as a whole. To join for just € 10/year visit the box office, call us on 952 474542 or email fundraising@salonvarietes.com
For more details on next events,
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Long live the Salon Varietes Theatre! 
