Nestled in the heart of Chesham, The Elgiva stands not only as a beacon of entertainment but also as a pillar of community engagement and sustainability. Wholly-owned and operated by the Chesham Town Council, our professional and community theatre has woven itself into the fabric of Chesham, offering a diverse range of projects and initiatives that benefit both its residents and the environment.
Now, as The Elgiva enters a new financial year and the pandemic is a couple of years in the rear-view mirror, we felt this was a good point to reflect on what we’ve been up to and just how well we are living up to our ethos of Elgiva for Everyone.
Embracing sustainability
In September 2019, Chesham Town Council declared a Climate Emergency and committed to reducing the negative impact of council services on the environment, with an aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030. Council services include, of course, The Elgiva, and 2023 and 2024 have seen us ramp up our efforts to be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.
These have included simple changes, such as switching to recycled paper and maximising the use of natural, rather than electrical, light, but we’ve also had a recent flurry of improvements have have seen our changing to energy-efficient LED lighting, lighting controlled by motion detectors and recyclable polyurethane glasses have replaced disposable plastic ones. Plus, there are plans afoot to harness solar power with the installation of solar panels.
We are embracing sustainability front and centre as well as behind the scenes; in partnership with Fairtrade Chesham, The Elgiva screened The Seeds of Vandana Shiva, promoting sustainable living and environmental awareness. Additionally, the theatre was delighted to host Chesham’s first swishing event, encouraging locals to embrace eco-friendly fashion by reusing and exchanging clothing. A Christmas Swish soon followed, with a Spring Swish causing a buzz at the end of April.
This April also saw our first Sustainability Day; myriad environmental stakeholders set up their stalls at The Elgiva, and members of the community were invited to plant seeds, sample our vegan ice cream, make a sustainability pledge and find out how they could make a difference. With various family-friendly crafts and activities, the day was a successful event, and one that we hope to repeat in the future, continuing to spearhead local environmental change.
Creativity
Celebrating and enjoying The Arts is more than just the Performing Arts – The Elgiva is not only a stage for professional performances but also a hub for creative expression within the community. Art and craft workshops target various sections of the community, some harder to reach groups, such as Ukrainian refugees and child carers. We also take our workshops out into the community holding pop-up sessions in Lowndes, Chesham Library, the High Street and Chesham’s Mosque.
Our dedicated exhibition space has monthly exhibitions from local artists, including schools, adult learning groups and professional photographers. Recent exhibitions have included quilts, fossils, portraits, landscapes, recycled art and more.
And of course, we celebrate creativity on our stage; amateur arts groups, such as the Panda Players and CMTC, find a home at The Elgiva, offering members the chance to perform on a professional stage. We also welcome local schools and dance schools for showcases, plays and musicals and stage our own dance showcase, welcoming a dozen or so local dance academies to our stage. The theatre also provides a platform for professional creatives, showcasing local musicians and filmmakers and is a cofounder and partner in local venture Chiltern Creative.
We were thrilled to be able to show the BAFTA-nominated feature length documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived recently – not only was this the only screening on a big screen outside of its premiere, but Director Dan Hartley joined us for a Q&A after the film.
The Elgiva is also home to the English Sinfonia who are in residence with us and whose concerts are a popular feature in our programme. We have also been a home to new drama this year, with multi award-winning, 5 stars critically acclaimed play Past Tents (written by Seth Jones and Chesham local David Keogh) playing to a delighted audience.
Film is, of course, another area in which we can reach out to our community. Chiltern Film Society continues to showcase the best international films and our audience is always appreciative of the chance to see unusual and thought-provoking content on the big screen.
The On Location Film Festival has now had two successful years, and works hard to bring unusual and original content to the people of Chesham and environs. As part of this year’s festival, The Elgiva welcomed a trio of local and award winning musicians (Anne Dudley, Rael Jones and Michael Price) who between them have bagged an Oscar, an Emmy and numerous Ivor Novello and BAFTA nominations) to The Elgiva stage playing some of their original scores for film and television.
We also combined film and music when we welcomed Radio 4’s Neil Brand to the theatre for a one man show about Laurel & Hardy. In an interview with the theatre, Mr Brand expressed his delight that silent film can still find a home in places like The Elgiva which champion catholic tastes, and he was enthusiastic about the reception he had received from his audience.
Partnership and promotion
Actively involved in promoting Chesham’s High Street and local businesses, The Elgiva supports local retailers through its Love Elgiva membership which encourages members to visit the participating High Street shops. We also showcase them on our website and social media platforms in dedicated articles and features. The Elgiva gets out onto the High Street too, actively participating in community events like Hats Off, Christmas in Chesham, the Great Chesham Pancake Race, Peace in the Park and Jurassic High Street.
By offering advertising and sponsorship opportunities to local companies such as Silversons and Hightown Housing Association, The Elgiva not only supports local employers but also generates income to sustain its operations and make it less dependent on taxpayers’ money – a rising tide floats all local boats.
The next generation
The Elgiva has its eye firmly on the future – but a future accessible by all. Our Youth Theatre offers fun and affordable theatre courses for children at a fraction of commercial prices, and our Easter and summer workshops provide opportunities for Chesham’s youth to explore their creativity and build confidence on stage. The EYT also performs at local events such as Christmas in Chesham.
Most of our crafting workshops are free, and we are occasionally able to offer Duke of Edinburgh, work experience and intern volunteering opportunities to local youths. The Elgiva is often a local child’s first theatre experience, and we ensure a range of family entertainment for all ages throughout our programme (including our baby-friendly film screenings, although they are aimed at parents rather than babies!), and we welcome numerous local schools and children’s groups to The Elgiva in December for our annual family pantomime. We are also delighted to host the annual Cygnet Awards, celebrating local young people’s achievements.
Giving back
The Elgiva has a longstanding tradition of supporting charities, both local and national, raising thousands of pounds through various initiatives such as Panto bucket collections and ticket offers. This year alone, over £2000 was raised for Love Lowndes, contributing to local causes and raising awareness. Our nominated charities are featured on our website, and we are delighted to do our bit supporting local charities and schools’ fundraising wherever we can.
Firmly embedded in community events, The Elgiva held a comedy and music fundraiser for Ukraine (we also lit up the theatre in blue and yellow) and stand-up comedy events to raise money for local park revitalisation project Love Lowndes. We are also looking forward to hosting some of the inaugural Chesham Fringe events later this month.
A community hub
Beyond entertainment, The Elgiva serves as a meeting place for community groups like the Silver Singers and the baby sling exchange offering a bright, welcoming space that is fully accessible. People come to The Elgiva to socialise, to work, to relax – and we welcome them all.
We love to showcase all we do, and hold an annual Open Day where visitors can look around the backstage areas, hear some urban myths and legends and enjoy our technicians pulling out all the stops in a technical wizardry masterclass. It’s also an opportunity for local creative and performing arts groups to make local links.
Future focused
The Elgiva’s commitment to community engagement, local connection and sustainability is not just a performance – it’s a lifestyle. As patrons enjoy the vibrant entertainment on stage, they are also invited to join in the theatre’s mission to create a more connected community. With each initiative and partnership, The Elgiva proves that the arts can be a catalyst for positive change, both onstage and off and give back to the community that supports and embraces it.
“I hope you have enjoyed learning more about what we have been up to over the last year or so. None of it would have been possible without The Elgiva’s staff, its volunteers, its customers and Chesham Town Council, who all continue to support the theatre and help it to flourish. We greatly look forward to continuing that throughout the rest of 2024 and into the future.”
David Cooper
Elgiva Theatre Manager
