Theatre ropes swing into action

In a heartwarming blend of creativity and sustainability, the Princess Theatre in Torquay has donated its retired fly ropes to Paignton Zoo, where they now serve as climbing enrichment for lemurs. These ropes, once essential in raising backdrops and scenery during countless stage productions, have found a second life in the Zoo’s Lemur Woods, offering new opportunities for the energetic primates to leap, swing, and explore.

Following a recent upgrade to its rigging system, the theatre was keen to avoid sending the old ropes to landfill. In search of a more sustainable solution, they connected with Paignton Zoo, part of the Wild Planet Trust, who enthusiastically accepted the donation.

Ross Bibby, General Manager of the Princess Theatre, said:
“These ropes had reached the end of their service at the Princess Theatre, and we are pleased to donate them to Wild Planet Trust/Paignton Zoo. Repurposing them for use in animal enclosures offers a valuable second life and provides excellent enrichment for the animals, while also preventing the ropes from ending up in landfill.”

Steph Dawson, Business Development Manager at Paignton Zoo, added:
“This generous donation from the Princess Theatre provides excellent enrichment for our lemurs while supporting our shared commitment to sustainability. It's a perfect example of how local partnerships can benefit both wildlife conservation and the environment.”

This initiative highlights the power of collaboration between community organisations, demonstrating how creative thinking can benefit both animals and the planet.

To see the transformation in action, check out the behind-the-scenes video ‘Theatre to Zoo’ on the social media channels of Princess Theatre Torquay and Paignton Zoo.