Running a self-sustaining arts organisation in NI is not an easy feat. Not today. Not in a small city. But we were on our way to doing just that, when COVID-19 hit.

Since we opened our doors in June 2017, we had broken even (or better) every month until March 2020.

During this time (and still) we were also renovating our building from bank to theatre, adding bright new people to the team and thinking about the future. The majority of our funding, we generated from ticket sales, book sales, and room rental, which was supplemented with much appreciated support from funders.

Each year, Accidental Theatre needs to raise £250,000 to keep going.

That sounds like a lot of money, but when you consider the basic costs of rent, electricity, internet, water, our staff, and all the various costs in running a building that is accessible to all (disabled toilets, installing a lift) and technological equipped to drive digital innovation in the sector, it’s not. It’s primary function, has never been to make profit, but to support a vulnerable sector in all the ways we can, to produce and program events that can be affordable to all (at a subsidised cost) and representative of our widest community, whilst driving innovation. This takes an enormous amount of work.

It adds up, as does the stress. But we do it because we believe artists in our city should have the ability to earn their livelihood in their home city and to raise their family here. Since 2017, however, there’s increasingly diminished support available to artists in, which means we have to work harder to make sure we do support them at a time they need it most, and for as long as we can.

You can help us do this. If you feel able, we would be beyond thankful for any support you can give. This could mean a donation, signing up for a membership, renting rehearsal space, or donating books - it’s up to you. Whatever form your gift takes, you will be contributing to the day-to-day running of Belfast’s only full-time producing fringe theatre.

Accidental Theatre belongs to the community. As a member of that community, it belongs to you. It exists for the arts and artists of Belfast, and for those who appreciate the great sacrifices artists make to create work. With your help, we can transform this old bank into something truly remarkable. We’ve achieved a lot since 2017, we’d like to create a future. Together with your support we may just make one.

Here’s how you can help.

Our Book Bar is the only second-hand bookshop where you can get a free alcoholic drink with your purchase.

Maybe you want to make some space on your bookshelf. Maybe through a series of misadventures you’ve robbed your local library.

Old or new, battered or pristine, we take anything. You can rest easy knowing you’ve given your tome a new home, and we have a new book on our shelves.

You can drop your books into our Book Bar. If you’d like to arrange a larger donation, get in touch at here and we can help arrange it. 

By renting one of our rooms, you support us both by renting and by joining our community of building users who breathe life into this old bank.

Our dream here at Accidental is to own the building outright and provide as much free (or nearly free) space as we can to artists and the local community. Until then, we keep our hire fees as basic as we can afford to, making sure our space is widely accessible while keeping the lights on, our staff paid, and the building in good nick.

Right now, you can rent:

• The Theatre - our versatile black-box space with built-in technical capabilities (seats 100)

• Book Bar - our cozy alternative space with stage and projector (seats 30)

• Rehearsal Room - our large, bright, wood-floored space overlooking the Square (60 max)

• Meeting Room - our corner room, perfect for meetings, solo work, or auditions

• Green Screen Studio - Coming soon

We host all sorts of events, including but not limited to:

• Performance

• Screenings

• Private parties

• DJ nights

• Classes & workshops

• Rehearsals

• Auditions

• Filming

• Art installations

• Meetings

• Festivals

• Drop-ins

As we extend into a virtual venue, we can also collaborate on bringing your event online - pre-recorded or live streaming. Message us here to get the ball rolling. We love making things happen.