Southend's New Empire Theatre is facing a financial crisis and could be forced to move to an alternative location.
Talks are now to be launched with Southend Council on the possibility of a merger with the council-owned Palace Theatre in Westcliff, which itself is facing closure due to spending cuts.
A fund set up three years ago to keep the New Empire alive has only been successful in raising cash to meet the current £80,000 rent on the former cinema in Alexandra Street.
The New Empire, a hub for community plays and am dram productions, was set up six years ago by the Robertson family and a band of supporters, which later set up a trust fund.
A statement from the New Empire trust today said: "We are now considering a possible formal approach to the council to explore some form of collaborative future."
More in today's Echo
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