It’s been a busy month at Trafalgar Towers. Here’s a quick round-up of the latest news in bite size form!

Trafalgar Theatres selected to operate 
Fareham Live

TE has been awarded the contract to operate Fareham Live by Fareham Borough Council. The venue is currently under construction on the site of Ferneham Hall and will launch as an all-new facility in 2024 as part of the council’s multi-million-pound plans to redevelop the civic quarter and regenerate the Town Centre.

The new venue will feature a larger main auditorium with comfortable seating for around 800 people and a full-height fly tower to support high quality performances.  A secondary performance space, new bar and cafe area, and studio space supporting community groups and organisations will also form part of the new building. Removable seating will increase capacity in the main hall to around 1,000 allowing for a wide range of performances, functions and live-events to be programmed.

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy rebrands
as Drama Kids

Earlier this month, the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy changed its name to Drama Kids in the UK.

For over 44 years, the drama academy has sought to provide a non-competitive and nurturing environment for students to be themselves, feel empowered and thrive; whilst developing skills to last a lifetime. As the world’s largest drama school, with over 100,000 students attending classes each week globally, the drama programme ensures inclusivity and equal opportunities to students in a fun and engaging environment.

Talking about the rebrand, Jo Scalpello, Group Marketing Director for Trafalgar Education said: “Since joining the Trafalgar family in 2021, our Academy has undergone significant developments to improve the business model and branding. Whilst our programme of “developing confidence, communication and creativity” remains at the forefront of our operation, the new name and fun, eye-catching logo pave the way for the next chapter of the company’s history.”

Pavilion Theatre and Tron Theatre announce producing partnership

Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre and Tron Theatre have announced plans to work together to bring popular and successful theatre to more people across the city.

The first Tron Theatre show to be presented at The Pavilion Theatre as a result will be a re-mounted version of David Ireland’s acclaimed play Cyprus Avenue starring David Hayman, for which Hayman recently won the coveted Outstanding Performance award at the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland.

Helen Enright, CEO of Trafalgar Theatres said: “We’re excited at the potential this relationship offers to both organisations – it is an important first step in our ambition to work more closely with organisations and artists across Glasgow. Since taking over at Glasgow Pavilion we have been enormously encouraged by conversations with a number of theatre-creators, writers and producers who want to work with us to expand the range of shows.”

Major upgrade for the Cliffs Pavilion

Willmott Dixon has been announced as Southend City Council’s construction partner for the proposed major upgrade of the Cliffs Pavilion.

Over £8m is set to be invested into the theatre, which will see the major expansion of the restaurant, a new entrance and lobby to improve the customer experience, upgraded ventilation, a new outdoor piazza and several other improvements to the bars, toilets, lifts and other areas.

The theatre will remain open throughout the works, which are expected to take place from January 2024.

£5.5m of the project is being funded through Round 1 of the Levelling Up Fund announced by Government on 27 October 2021, with additional investment from the City Council and TE.