Humphrey Tyler
EVERYBODY interested in drama, arts and music is being asked to help raise funds to restore the 1820 Settlers National Foundation Monument building in Grahamstown in time for the Standard Bank National Arts Festival next July. The building was almost gutted by fire last month.
The luxurious 920-seat Monument Theatre, heart of the formal main programme productions each year during the annual arts festival, has been burnt out.
The heat of the fire was so intense that bricks lining the theatre walls collapsed in heaps of rubble. There is a hole in the concrete ceiling so it is possible to see right through into the smoke-blackened Hall A lecture theatre above.
Police are still trying to establish whether the fire was caused deliberately. First estimates of the damage were about R10-million but engineers and architects now say it will cost closer to R20-million to restore the building.
Insurance will not provide all this and the foundation has set up an appropriately named Phoenix Fund to raise money to fill the gap.
The drive for funds will begin next week with a nationwide appeal through the mail. Anybody wishing to send money to help restore the Monument building should write to The Phoenix Fund, PO Box 304, Grahamstown 6140.