A CAMPAIGNER trying to save a theatre has threatened to barricade herself in and has called on help – from ’Save Our Cinema’ star Samantha Morton.

Claire Holden, 35, wants the British actor to help the campaign to stop the historic Alexandra in Newton Abbot in Devon being knocked down.

It runs as a theatre for several weeks of the year and the rest of the time serves as a cinema but is facing internal demolition as part of a redevelopment plan.

Claire has pledged to barricade herself in in order to stop it from closing or being knocked down by bulldozers.

She has now reached out to Samantha Morton who appears in the new film ’Save The Cinema’ in order to raise awareness of their campaign.

Morton plays Liz Evans in the movie - the true story of the campaign to save an art deco theatre called the Lyric in Carmarthen from being turned into a shopping centre.

Liz Evans called for help from Hollywood director Steven Spielberg in her campaign.

Claire, a part-time orthodontal nurse, drama teacher is part of ’Save the Alexandra Theatre’ campaign since the beginning of the project that started three years ago.

The exterior of the building is listed and would be preserved, but inside it would be part of a transformed market and food hall.

But Claire feels the council’s proposed ‘multi-functional space’ should not come at the cost of losing the town’s historical theatre.

Claire said: ‘When I saw the trailer for ’Save The Cinema’ I immediately reached out to Samantha.

‘’It was the weirdest thing because it mirrors our story. It is exactly what is happening here and now.

‘The theatre as it is could cater for a huge variety of arts events. Why destroy it? If I had to, I would barricade myself in, and I wouldn’t be alone.

‘’The relocation of the cinema frees up the theatre to become what it once was - a fully functioning theatre that can now cater for a huge variety of arts and community events.

‘The opportunities that come with this space are limitless! We could use the theatre to attract theatrical professionals nationally and locally.

‘The theatre could be run as a community-led project, wherein we could link with schools and colleges to offer work experience for youth people.’See this week's Mid-Devon Advertiser for a review and pictures of the Newton Abbot and District Musical Comedy Society's pantomime Aladdin.