The Lyric Theatre has been given the opportunity to bring some Christmas joy to Bridport this year.

Renowned artist Edwina Bridgeman has chosen the Barrack Street theatre as the home for a handcrafted, illuminated Nativity scene for passers-by to enjoy during December.

Edwina, a professional theatre set designer and artist, is keen for it to be at The Lyric so has very generously offered to cover the majority of the costs herself, if £1,190 can be raised towards it.

Should the target amount be reached, the Nativity scene will then belong to The Lyric for the community to enjoy for years to come.

How you can help make this happen

A three-week Crowdfunder campaign has been launched and can be found here.

The money raised will go towards the remainder of Edwina's artist's fee, plus some peg doll kits so that local children can participate creatively, adding to the installation.

Niki McCretton, owner of The Lyric Theatre, said: "In this most unusual year, many of our usual traditions leading up to Christmas, involving spending time with loved ones, will be put on hold or adapted to accommodate the times we're in.

"As a theatre we have not yet been able to reopen to the public for performances or workshops, and December is one of our favourite times of year to present work for families. While we still cannot do that, we would love to spread joy in this way instead."

The Nativity scene, which will be installed in the foyer of The Lyric with the front doors open for passers-by to enjoy safely, aims to bring joy to our community at this time, to stop and take in the scene, and to enjoy either on your own or with loved ones.

'Let's end this year on a happy note'

Niki added: "Whether you practice faith or not, there is hope and peace to be taken from the scene of birth, new life and humility and Edwina's incredibly delicate creations cannot help but enchant onlookers. The scene may also bring to mind the African proverb 'it takes a village to raise a child', echoing the important of community.

"It is our intention that the Nativity scene, while housed at The Lyric, will be a beautiful community resource for schools or community groups to borrow in the years to come, to display in their setting whilst perhaps raising funds for themselves or their charity of choice."

If the target amount is reached, The Lyric will be able to provide free peg doll kits for children to take away and spend time making simple peg dolls at home, then bring them in and add to the scene. The team would also like to create an online photo gallery of all the peg dolls created.

The Nativity scene would be installed in early December with the front doors open for viewing daily on weekday afternoons, with later viewings on Friday evenings to be enjoyed in darkness with the Nativity scene illuminated.

Niki said: "Let's spread some joy in our community this December and end this year on a happy note. Please donate if you are able to and spread the word to anyone who may be interested to see this beautiful nativity scene come to fruition and to bring Christmas cheer to others."

About the artist

Edwina said: "I think the work is perfect for The Lyric, it is made to be explored, celebrates creativity and is for all of us. The Nativity scene is created from found objects, many of them found on the beach nearby.

"Setting the Nativity in the beautiful Lyric Theatre coupled with Bridport's proximity to the sea feels so right for this unique interpretation of the Christmas story."

For the past 20 years, Edwina Bridgeman has been making work for exhibition both nationally and internationally. Her work is playful, using everyday materials to create scenes and whole environments.

She works widely in the community with all ages, from babies through to the elderly and runs projects with an open agenda, following the interests of the participants.