It is one of the area's most historic, best-loved venues which makes audiences laugh, cheer and cry – and reaches out beyond the stage into the community.
Yet as The Seagull Theatre builds on its ever-growing platform as a vital community resource, its leaking roof is crumbling – putting its very future at risk.
Today, amid fears a harsh winter with heavy rainfall could cause studios and activities to close, organisers are fighting to guarantee its long-term future.
It is kick-starting its Raise the Roof campaign in a bid to safeguard the theatre for years to come.
Having fought to Save The Seagull 10 years ago, when Suffolk County Council withdrew its funding as a centre for performing arts, volunteers now need £40,000 to repair collapsing parts of the ceiling and boarded-up windows.
They are urging the public, including businesses, to get behind them if they want to keep it going and ensure all that hard work doesn't go to waste.
Karen Read, manager of The Seagull, said: 'What's happening in the building all year round is amazing. We've been increasing our programme of events and we're working with schools, youngsters and community groups and doing wonderful things.
'But the building is falling down around us and if we don't have a building, we can't do all this wonderful stuff.
'We have limped along for many years but we need to try hard to fund-raise. There's a love for the building and the thought of us not existing is unbearable.'
Have you got a Lowestoft story? Email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk
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