TRAFALGAR RETURNS TO THEATRE CRAFT

Trafalgar Entertainment is once again exhibiting at this year’s TheatreCraft – the UK’s largest free offstage theatre careers event for people aged 16-30. The event takes place at the Royal Opera House on 3 November.

Trafalgar will be hosting an enhanced stand in the main Exhibitor Hall, while Trafalgar Education will present a Q&A panel (Behind the Curtain) incorporating Stagecoach Performing Arts, Drama Kids, and Creative Learning. Education will also be recording a special podcast episode at the event. In addition, Trafalgar Theatre will facilitate two workshops at the venue on the day – a Heritage Tour and an Archiving Workshop. Look out for a full round-up of the day in next month’s Ensemble.

SOUTHEND RENOVATION GATHERS PACE

Renovation work is gathering pace at the Cliffs Pavilion Southend with Auburn Group Ltd with a large crane currently on site, bringing in the steelwork for the main structure. The steelwork is fabricated off site, then delivered and installed, with each part fitting perfectly into place. Just think of it as a huge Lego set! That is, if each piece of Lego weighed the same as an elephant!🐘However, during this time, it’s business as usual and the venue remains fully OPEN!

GONE TO THE DOGS

In other Southend news, Matt Laidlow, Hospitality Administrator/Team Leader at the Cliffs Pavilion has released his first EP of original songs, called ‘Gone to the Dogs’. Originally from Gateshead, in the North East of England, Matt trained in World Performance at East 15 Drama School in Southend, initially wanting to be an actor, but later pivoted to his true passion of song-writing and music. 

A RIP-ROARING NIGHT OF COMEDY

On 6 October, the Churchill Theatre Bromley held a Charity Comedy Night in aid of Greener & Cleaner, a local environmental charity. Amongst star studded acts like James Acaster, Sara Pascoe and Nish Kumar, the incredible Jenny Dorman took to the stage and had the audience roaring. Jenny (pictured on the right) is one of the theatre’s fantastic alumni from its Creative Learning Comedy Course. We’re always so happy to see our alumni brushing shoulders with their fellow greats, and this was definitely one of those moments! A true testament to Bromley’s Creative Learning department, and of course our amazing Creative Learning manager, Kiaran Hall.

THE GREAT WOKING BAKE OFF

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Woking Office Bake Off — whether you baked, tasted, scored, or donated, you helped make it a fantastic event! The annual event raised £178 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Each bake was scored by at least 15 people, and we’re excited to announce the winners based on the highest average scores:

🥇 Winner: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread by Danel Daley – 8.25/10
🥈 Runner-up: Strawberry Vanilla Sponge by Dijana Radisevic – 8.2/10

Thank you again to all the bakers that took part. They were all outstanding and the scores were so close!

TRICK OR TREAT FOR THE HOMELESS

Trafalgar Releasing’s Director of Production, Emily Cecil-Dennett tells Ensemble about a very special cause.

Since 2016 I have been a member of the board of Friends of The Connection, a charity run by volunteers to raise funds and awareness of The Connection. The Connection is a homeless shelter in Central London working to end rough sleeping. In 2024, 1,611 people died homeless in the UK – that’s more than 4 people every day dying for connection. But The Connection can change that. 

In my little town of Horsham, Halloween is a big deal! Every year over 350 kids come to our door, and I love any reason to decorate. Each year I choose a different spooky theme, tunnels of ghosts, pirate shipwreck, and even a Little Shop of Horrors inspired jungle! Each year we have raised over £250. 

So this year, if you’d like to donate, please visit the Just Giving page : https://www.justgiving.com/page/trick-or-treat-homeless

ROSEMARY GUESTS ON PERFORMING IN LIFE PODCAST!

We couldn’t be more excited to announce that inspiring businesswoman, Trafalgar Entertainment CEO and occasional puppeteer, Dame Rosemary Squire will be joining us for episode two of Performing in Life! 🎭 Expect insights into the arts world, lessons in leadership, and stories like the time when Rosemary found herself dancing backstage with Bruce Springsteen (does it get more iconic?!). Tune in wherever you stream your podcasts now! Or watch on You Tube below!