HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has extended her role as Patron at the Unicorn Theatre
Julian Bird and the Duchess of Cornwall on the red carpet at the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard. Photo by Pamela Raith.
The Unicorn Theatre is delighted to announce that The Duchess of Cornwall has accepted its invitation for her Patronage to be extended for a further term.
Her Royal Highness has been the theatre’s patron since 2005 and is a keen supporter of the arts and a regular visitor to the Unicorn. The Duchess most recently guest edited the Emma Barnett show on BBC Radio Five Live, which featured the theatre’s acclaimed Unicorn Online, devised as a response to the building’s closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Artistic Director Justin Audibert said ‘I’m so delighted that The Duchess of Cornwall has kindly renewed her patronage. It is wonderful to have her ongoing support for our theatre and for our work with schools and community groups – and it feels especially important at such a difficult time for our industry and for children.’
Park theatre looks to the future
Jez Bond and the team at Park Theatre are pleased to announce that Tania Dunn has been appointed to the role of Development Director, replacing Founding Development Director Dorcas Morgan, who recently moved on after nearly eight years at the theatre. Tania joins Park Theatre from the Young Vic, and previously worked in development at Shakespeare’s Globe and Historic Royal Palaces.
Tania’s appointment comes at a time of significant change for Park Theatre. A new staffing structure will facilitate a different model of programming, with the theatre aiming to reach out further to find, nurture, and develop artists. The position of Associate Artistic Director has been made redundant, with co-founder Melli Marie receiving the honorary lifetime title ‘Creative Director Emeritus’ to recognise her remarkable achievements over the years, whilst the Artistic & Executive Directors will be supported by a new General Manager, Producer Programmer and a team of readers & viewers. Recruitment for the new posts will begin in mid-February. Park Theatre continues to operate a Positive Action policy to aid in the endeavour to diversify their workforce. Any disabled candidates or candidates from a BAME background who meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification will be guaranteed a first-round interview.
Tania Dunn
Artistic Director Jez Bond says “I’m pleased that, with the support of our donors and funders, we have been able to craft a silver lining to the dark cloud of the last ten months. Tania Dunn arrives with a wealth of experience from, most recently, her work as Development Director at the Young Vic and, along with all the other changes we’re making, I’m thrilled for what this means for our next chapter. I am determined that we now reflect on who we are, what we are and why we are – so that we not only return, but burst forth with new promise for our community.”
Tania Dunn says, “I’m delighted to be joining the team at Park Theatre. I’ve been to countless brilliant productions there and I lived in Stroud Green when the theatre was being built so I’d always hoped to work there at some point. Jez and Dorcas have established a real community amongst the donors and I’m so looking forward to being a part of that as the theatre reopens and welcomes everyone back”