Bristol's Old Vic puts out an SOS for survival

It is the oldest working theatre in the country, but yesterday, the Bristol Old Vic admitted it was under threat of closing for good as it launched a last-ditch appeal to secure £2m for its survival.

Despite mixed fortunes over its 200-year history, the Old Vic has managed to thrive in the most adverse circumstances, including the bombing raids of the Second World War, and has a distinguished record for nurturing many of theatre's biggest stars.

But the now-dilapidated venue is depending on the goodwill of individual benefactors - and has even launched a telephone hotline for public donations - to save it from permanent closure by Christmas.

The theatre has a shortfall of £2m for its £7m refurbishment programme which, it is hoped, will transform it from a venue that poses potentially life-threatening health hazards, with faulty electric wiring, asbestos and inadequate disabled facilities, to a state-of-the-art auditorium.

The theatre's decline is also reflected in waning audience numbers. It has admitted losing audiences in recent times, with unpopular productions such as Oscar Wilde's Importance of Being Earnest, directed by David Fielding. It has now entered into dialogue with the local arts community in a desperate attempt to tailor its future artistic programmes to modern audiences. Nick Bacon, chair of the Save Bristol Old Vic appeal, said it was not just a case of refurbishing but also a mission to win back the "hearts and minds" of audiences.

"People were not coming because they didn't like what they were seeing and because the building was worn out. We have to refurbish the building and win back the audience," he said. A consultation process with Bristol's artistic community will take place next month to review the theatre's direction, and a subsequent programme announced to entice individuals to fund its refurbishment. The theatre has been plagued by bad fortune. There was the sudden resignation of its artistic director, Simon Reade, a cancelled autumn programme and the announcement of its temporary closure in August, after a meeting was called at 24 hours' notice by the board.

When Mr Reade resigned, three members of the board followed, with one apparently labelling the decision to close as "cultural vandalism". No plans were made for the theatre to tour nor was there provision for a temporary home during the closure.

History of a theatre

* The theatre was created in 1766, when more than 100 philanthropic merchants, lawyers and politicians clubbed together to open an illegal, back-street theatre

* In 1778, King George III granted the theatre a royal licence

* In 1943, it became Britain's first state-subsidised theatre, and later gained its first resident company

* The Arts Council, Bristol City Council and the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts have donated a total of £5m to the theatre's refurbishment programme. If the rest of the funds are secured, it is due to reopen in December next year.