THEATRE bosses are asking their audience to dig deep as they unveil plans for the new home of the Arcola Theatre.

The playhouse, which has been based in Arcola Street, Dalston, since 2000, will be moving to the former Colourworks factory in Ashwin Street, opposite Dalston Junction Overground station, ath end of its its current season.

Now the theatre’s team is set to ask supporters to help raise �150,000 desperately needed for the first stage in its development.

Bosses hope to collect �5,000 in private donations every day throughout October.

“It’s undoubtedly a tough time to ask for donations, but we have a bold and ambitious vision for Arcola and want everyone to know that they have a part to play in our future,” said artistic director Mehmet Ergen.

“We’re going to energise the campaign with daily updates on how we’re doing, so whether it’s an extra �1 or �10,000, every single contribution counts.”

The funds raised will pay for the construction of the 200-seater main house theatre, as well as two studios - one to host up-and-coming theatre companies and the other for the Arcola’s youth theatre work.

Environmental sustainability is set to be at the heart of the new theatre’s construction, programming and operations and volunteers have already started building incubator units for green technologies.

Hackney Council will act as landlord at the new site, but is not investing any money in the development except for undertaking basic repairs before the lease signing.

The theatre has been forced the relocate as its current landlord did not wish to renew its lease.

Arcola Theatre will officially launch its public fundraising appeal next Thursday (September 30) and the first public performance at its new Ashwin Street home will be on January 7, 2011.

Donations can be made online at www.arcolatheatre.com, at the box office, or by phone or post.