Rosemary’s visit to No.11 Downing Street

Rosemary attended a celebration of female business leaders and their contributions to the economy at a reception in No.11 Downing Street this week – on International Equal Pay Day – where Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out her agenda for women in the economy.

Support for women and their contribution to the economy is a personal priority for Reeves as Britain’s first female Chancellor. 

She has thrown her weight behind the Invest in Women Taskforce – which aims to create one of the world’s largest investment funding pools for female founders – as she pushes forwards the government’s mission to grow the economy.

Diggers roll in at the Cliffs

The diggers have rolled into Southend as a multi-million-pound renovation began at the Cliffs Pavilion.

Over £8m is set to be invested into the theatre, with £5.5m of the project funded by the UK Government (as announced in 2021), with additional investment from Southend-on-Sea City Council and Trafalgar Entertainment. The venue will remain open throughout the works which are expected to be completed in 2025.

Rochford-based Auburn Group Limited will carry out the highly anticipated building project, which will see a major upgrade 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.

Pictured above are Nick Parr (Southend Theatres), Cllr Matt Dent (Southend-On-Sea City Council), Mike O’Dell (Auburn Group) and Matt Bond (Auburn Group).

Trafalgar Theatres issues new statement about the Orchard Theatre

Contractors have made significant progress on works to the Orchard Theatre in Dartford. Works to replace the roof, which was the original reason for the forced closure, are largely complete but we have taken the opportunity to bring forward renovations, updating and improved accessibility that will ensure the theatre is ready to welcome audiences for many years to come. 

The Orchard Theatre is a complex building and there is much to do. With the roof nearing completion everyone is now focused on the additional improvement works and commissioning our mechanical, electrical and safety systems. Bringing these significant improvement works forward has created challenges but it makes sense to carry them out now rather than see performances at the Orchard Theatre interrupted again. We want to provide realistic timelines to our customers and partners, so therefore no productions will take place at the Orchard Theatre before the end of May 2025.

Performances currently scheduled at the theatre up to the end of May will be taken off-sale, and customers will be refunded. We are working with Dartford Borough Council and our producing partners to deliver the successful reopening of the improved Orchard Theatre once the works are complete.   

Everyone at the Orchard Theatre is grateful for the support and encouragement we have received during this period and we are very much looking forward to welcoming our customers, artists and the people of Dartford back to their theatre.  We know how much it means to the community. 

Award win for Drama Kids

Drama Kids has won Most Inclusive Drama Academy 2024 in the Global Business Awards! The awards recognise companies from all sectors who demonstrate exceptional innovation, ethical practices, and sustained growth, setting new benchmarks for success. The awards seek to recognise those businesses who have risen to the challenges of modern-day business. 

Karel Reisz Season Guests Announced at The Chiswick Cinema

Following a sold out Jeremy Irons Q&A with Michael Billington last week, the Chiswick team are delighted to reveal their Q&A line up for The Chiswick Cinema exclusive Karel Reisz retrospective taking place this September and October.

Dame Vanessa Redgrave introduces this Sunday (22nd September)’s screening of ISADORA with film critic and broadcaster Phillip Bergson. Beloved actors Hilton McRae and Lindsay Duncan introduce Sunday (29th September)’s screening of WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN in conversation with the director’s son Matthew Reisz.

Further information + tickets:

Karel Reisz: Later Works

Guess who got splurged at Fat Sams!?

Chris McGuigan and Rhys Hopkins, that’s who! The pair recently visited the Crewe Lyceum to show their support for the theatre’s Summer Youth Project – Bugsy Malone. All merchandise sold went to supporting future projects and Crewe’s merchandise featuring trilby hats and pin badges. Here they are sporting the ‘I got Spurlged at Fat Sams’ pin badge!