The future of community theatre companies bringing joy to audiences of thousands could be in jeopardy if venue price hikes are agreed. 

Several of the amateur theatre groups using The Point for their shows say they will struggle to survive if proposed changes are rubber-stamped by Eastleigh Borough Council this week. 

The groups put on large-scale musicals, pantomimes and operas involving hundreds, but councillors will tonight consider increases they say could put them out of business. 

(Image: Centrestage Proudctions Youth Theatre) READ MORE: Titchfield Festival Theatre loses appeal to stay open

Mike Mullen, chairman of 265-member Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre, said: "This could put us under. We paid a hire fee of £6,120 for our performance of Sister Act and actually made a loss of £2,642.09, which is bearable over the course of the year due to fundraising. Should the hire fee be increased to the suggested £9,000, this would not be sustainable.

"We've had lots of people go on to work in the industry but, for me, it's all about the confidence it gives children when they go on stage."

The Sound of Music by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society (Image: EOMS)

Adrian Jones is the chairman of Southampton Musical Society, who are putting on School Daze at The Point next week.

He added: "It's already quite hard for us to make things add up. We appreciate that costs go up, but this is too much. Legally Blonde was by far and away our most commercially successful production in living memory and it made a small profit of around £2,500. If you put hire fees up £4,000, it prices us out of performing at The Point, which is the perfect size for community theatre and alternatives are few and far between.

"The shows are such an important thing for youngsters. It really inspires them."

(Image: Peter Sillick for Footlights Youth Theatre) Janet Green, speaking on behalf of Footlights Youth Theatre, part of Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society, told the Daily Echo: "These prices would bankrupt us. They are pricing us out. We will be driven out of Eastleigh completely. We won't be able to afford to use The Point, which I think is the intention, however misguided."

Michelle Partridge, Westfield Productions secretary, confirmed the group are not sure whether they will be able to continue if the price rises come into force. 

The changes will go before the council's audit and resources committee tonight (Tuesday) and full cabinet on Thursday where councillors are being urged to approve them. Papers suggest the council should 'make the most of its commercial assets, giving the flexibility to attract new hirers of the building'.

A petition has been launched at change.org by a member of one of the youth theatres involved.

(Image: Westfield Productions)