Banbury woman plane jump for Oxford Playhouse and Pegasus Theatre

As theatres and cultural venues remain empty, arts lover Robyn Cain hurled herself out of a plane to raise money for the cash-strapped Oxford Playhouse and the Pegasus Theatre in East Oxford.

The 22-year-old, from Banbury, who works at the Playhouse, achieved one of her dreams when she travelled to Sibson Aerodrome in Peterborough for the adrenaline-filled jump.

Ms Cain, however, is not just another theatre fan concerned with the effects of the pandemic on the already struggling arts industry.

She launched the Go Fund Me fundraiser to ‘give back’ to the two venues that ‘helped kickstart’ her own career.

Having graduated from London's Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance last year, she gained her first introductions to the theatre industry through Oxford Playhouse and Pegasus Theatre.

She said: “Since graduating, Pegasus Theatre has supported me through their SPARK artist program that helps emerging artists enter the industry.

“Oxford Playhouse, meanwhile, gave me my first ever job in a leading regional theatre.

“They have both supported me, taught me and offered me a huge range of opportunities.

“Without the generosity of these venues, I honestly do not know where I would be today.”

Ms Cain now works as a development assistant at Oxford Playhouse and is learning the ‘ins and outs’ of the theatre business.

She added: “I grew up surrounded by theatre, was taught to value it and learnt how essential it is to our society.

“I trained to become a theatre maker and pursue a career in the arts.

“Now, the industry and venues I love are at risk and we need to help.”

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a world-beating £1.5bn ‘lifeline’ to Britain’s struggling theatres, music venues and museums earlier this month as pressure intensified on the Government to help the sector.

However, venues around the country including the Oxford Playhouse have already begun cost cutting and redundancy procedures.

While technically allowed to open under relaxed lockdown restrictions, the Beaumont Street theatre still faces a ban on staging live entertainment.

ALSO READ: Oxford's coronavirus vaccine is safe and DOES trigger immune system

Ms Cain said: “I am raising the money to help keep these venues open, so that they can continue to create, inspire and engage their local communities in the wonders of theatre.”

The initiative, which aimed to raise £1,000, has already overcome the target by almost £200 and the passionate theatre-lover said she will keep the page opened for as long as possible.

ALSO READ: 'Trans' people fundraise for their own 'life-changing' sex surgery

More than 60 people have already donated to the cause and applauded Ms Cain for her bravery.

To make a donation to the Ms Cain's appeal, visit uk.gofundme.com/f/jumping-for-oxford-playhouse-and-pegasus-theatre