The Brighton Hippodrome, Plymouth’s Palace Theatre and the Victoria Theatre in Salford are at the top of this year’s Theatre Buildings at Risk Register, which lists 33 venues around the UK. Although the number of theatres has decreased, the Theatres Trust has warned the drop is partly down to changes to the way it focuses on venues under immediate threat. The Theatre Buildings at Risk Register is published annually, and identifies venues at risk from demolition, change of use, development, sale, decay and neglect, lack of funding and poor building operation.
Eight venues are new to the list in 2014, with the Trust claiming many of these are on it because local authorities no longer want responsibility for funding or operating them. These include the Secombe Theatre in London and the Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd. Two venues from Blackpool are new to the register: the Winter Gardens Pavilion and the North Pier Theatre.
A worry for many involved is the extent to which more local authority cuts will lead to further closures, however the Trust’s advisers are working hard to help communities and local authorities find possible solutions. For the first time this year, venues have also been rated according to how important a venue is to its community, alongside risks to the building and quality of the theatre, however this is seemingly difficult to engage.
Brighton’s Hippodrome, which was at the top of the list last year, was labelled the most significant case for the Trust, with efforts ongoing to prevent it from being redeveloped as an eight-screen cinema and restaurant complex. Meanwhile, the Palace in Plymouth was used as a theatre until 1980 before becoming a nightclub, but has been disused since 2006. The Trust said it was supporting the Plymouth Palace Project to develop a business and management plan for the venue.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
London’s oldest pie and mash shop is set to host a site-specific production of Sweeney Todd from the end of October for around four weeks: Harrington’s Pie and Mash shop in Tooting will become the setting for Stephen Sondheim’s musical thriller in a production by Tooting Arts Club.
Miss Saigon, the iconic musical which has recently returned to the West End, has plans to mark 25 years with a gala charging its 1989 ticket prices. The gala will take place on Monday 22 September, and all tickets for the performance have had their prices slashed to £22.50, £20.00, £16.50 and £13.50. There will also be an anniversary CD released on the day of the gala. The 2014 company of Miss Saigon have performed for a live recording to celebrate the show’s anniversary, following in the footsteps of Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.
The company Dancing Fool Theatrical, in association with Harlow Playhouse, is presenting a new tour of Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, beginning in October. The iconic musical will tour to a variety of theatres across the autumn. More casting and dates for the following year will follow, however the touring venues for 2014 include Harlow Playhouse, Southsea Kings, Buxton, Jersey Opera House. Bournemouth Pavilion, Newcastle Mill Volvo, Blackpool Grand and Billingham Forum.
In news that may have surprised some musical theatre fans, it has been rumoured that former Pussycat Doll, solo artist and X Factor judge may be in the running to make her West End debut in Cats. It seems Nicole is in “very early discussions” to star in Cats as Grizabella the Glamour Cat, at the London Palladium for the show’s limited run later in the year.
Fear backstage is common for at least 50% of performers, regardless of performance experience. More commonly known as “stage fright”, performance anxiety can be a constant problem or something that emerges over time.
The BalletBoyz are set to make their debut appearance at the Royal Opera House from 16-27 September, dancing in the Linbury studio theatre. The company will present theTalent 2014 in a brand new triple bill at the Linbury as part of Deloitte Ignite 2014, the contemporary arts festival curated by the Royal Ballet and Minna Moore Ede of the National Gallery.
At the recent opening of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, young performers from the National Youth Theatre appeared as part of the ceremonies to welcome the countries’ teams. The cast of 60 NYT members were involved in the Village Ceremonies, which included the opening of the athletes’ village, the team welcome celebrations and the imminent farewell ceremony, meaning the performers will have much exposure throughout the Games and will be present during many parts of the ceremonies.
The recent performances of the New English Ballet Theatre were a breath of fresh air for its spread of audiences. Opening night at the Peacock Theatre, London, saw a multitude of audiences vying for a taste of the company’s work, still reasonably new and fresh on the dance and ballet scene. The cast were all a credit to the company, well trained dancers who ate up the stage.