TE NEWS: READ ALL ABOUT IT!
This month’s news from across the Group.
UK Theatres Awards
Trafalgar Theatres is proud to be a supporter of the UK Theatre Awards 2025. Full nominations will be announced on 18 September, with the awards ceremony taking place on 12 October at 8 Northumberland Avenue. The Awards have been celebrating excellence in theatre across the UK for over 30 years.
The Emotional Impact of Live Theatre
The theatre has long been seen as a cultural treat, a way to escape, unwind, or enjoy a good story. But new research from London Theatre Direct and Joyfulness Approved suggests it’s much more. A new study of 4,375 UK adults suggests theatre may play a more powerful role in our emotional wellbeing than previously thought.
“These findings confirm what we hear anecdotally every day – that theatre gives people more than entertainment,” said Johan Oosterveld, CEO at London Theatre Direct. “It offers a space to switch off, reset emotionally, and come away feeling clearer and more connected to yourself.”
New Events & Hospitality website
Trafalgar has launched its new TRAFALGAR EVENTS & HOSPITALITY website, a dedicated platform to showcase its venue hire, event production and catering capabilities.
- TRAFALGAR EVENTS & HOSPITALITY welcome over 10,000 Christmas party attendees every year.
- Deliver and fully cater over 600 conferences, banquets, weddings, parties and events annually.
- This year, they have hosted over 100 fully catered weddings and receptions.
- Over 50,000 guests dine at TRAFALGAR venues every year.
Mark Hollington, Group Hospitality and Customer Experience Director, said: “The launch of the dedicated Events & Hospitality website will provide a much-needed platform and shop-window for our industry leading food and drink business. Our continued evolution sets our venues and theatres apart in the entertainment sector with fully in-house skills and expertise. This investment will undoubtedly drive additional leads and enquiries and unlock growth and opportunities for Trafalgar Theatres.”
Summer Youth Project Round-Up
DARTFORD: A huge congratulations to the amazing young cast of this year’s Dartford Summer Youth Project, A Musical Journey. Pictured is the moment Tiny Tal led the ensemble to recreate the “Tent” of Orchard West on stage.
This fun and heartfelt show reminded why theatre is so important to the local community, giving young people a place to perform, express themselves, make friends and build confidence. They deserved every applause, and we can’t wait for next year!
Tal Rosen, Theatre Director, said: “Congratulations to our Creative Learning Manager and SYP Producer, Terri McCann, for creating such a phenomenal, devised piece of theatre that these children will cherish forever. This is exactly why our Summer Youth Project is so vital, nurturing the next generation and ensuring a sustainable future for theatre.”
SOUTHEND: The Southend Theatres Summer Youth Project is now in its 16th year. Over the years, hundreds of young people have had the opportunity to perform on the stage at the Palace Theatre and work with theatre professionals, getting a glimpse at the creative process behind a stage show. Each year, the project also recruits a team of budding young technicians, who have the opportunity to work on the technical side of the shows, under the mentorship of our in-house crew.
This year’s production, The Wizard of Oz, attracted more than 200 young people to audition. A cast of 80 was chosen plus a further ten were selected to work as part of the Technical Youth Team. Young people from the Southend area but also from further afield in Chelmsford and Colchester will be taking part.
Emma Wagstaff, Creative Learning Manager, Southend Theatres, said “It is a joy to produce our annual Summer Youth Projects, and we all look forward to it. The young people involved are always incredibly committed, enthusiastic and work so hard. We are so lucky to be able to develop and showcase such talent on our stage. I’m certain there are future stars in this year’s cast and crew as there have been so many times before.”
The Summer Youth Project is not only a fun summer activity and a chance to meet new friends, but also an introduction to the world of professional theatre that has then led to a career. The list of past participants who have gone on to shine in a wide range of great roles within the theatre industry is impressive.
Two such talented people are Lily Streames and Ashton Moore. Both attended the Summer Youth Project in 2012. Lily has now co-founded her own theatre company, Wind Song Theatre. Specialising in children’s theatre, Wind Song bring a brand-new adaptation of The Snow Queen to the Palace Theatre, Southend for Christmas 2025 and Lily and Ashton come full circle from participants to creators.
