COURTS Guyana Inc., last Wednesday, made its second contribution of $500,000 towards the restoration of the Theatre Guild Playhouse in Kingston, Georgetown.

Country Manager, Mr. Lester Alvis, who presented the cheque to a representative of the board of Trustees, Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh, said it was in keeping with the entity’s commitment to the development of art and culture in Guyana.

He also appealed to other business organisations to partner in the scheme, by making substantial financial contributions to the Guild’s restoration fund.

The cheque from Courts will go towards completing the substantial restoration works being carried out at the Playhouse.

Singh disclosed that the works are almost at an end, with an extended auditorium which can accommodate 300 people, including 75 in the new balcony.

He added that some $50M was raised for the renovation and transformation of the building, while quite a tidy sum was spent on lighting and sound equipment yet to be installed.

Singh said that some $9M is still required to finish the job by the end of the month.

The playhouse has already been identified as one of the venues for staging of Carifesta X performances during the festival to be staged here from August 22 to August 31, 2008.