BRENTWOOD THEATRE - THE BEST!

The shows that are currently being publicised at the Brentwood Theatre are selling out week after week. At the end of March, The Hutton Players sold out all three performances of Hay Fever, and this week has seen two of the three nights of ‘Allo ‘Allo with full houses (and just a small number of returns on the opening night, effectively giving a full house too!)

Theatre Administrator Mark Reed commented, “We do not choose the shows, it is up to the groups themselves to select and produce whatever production their performing members and anticipated audience would like to see on stage. Therefore, the accolade for selling out these shows must go to The Hutton Players and The New Venture Players, and to their members for selling so well to their family and friends.”

The summer season has just been launched, which opens with The College Players’ production of Blithe Spirit, another show that is expected to sell well.

Twenty two different productions will be making up fifty five performances with musicals including The Mikado and Guys and Dolls, drama including Vinegar Tom and a new amateur national premiere of Really Old, Like Forty Five, and young people performing in a variety of shows from Terry Pratchett’s Mort to two versions of Bugsy Malone.

A brand new production for this summer has already sold all 135 seats – Everybody Dance Now is a showcase by performers from Funky Vibes Dance School including street, cheerleading and lyrical dance. Principal of the School, Hayley Davies, has performed on TV and at The London Palladium and even toured England, Ireland and Mallorca before returning to the UK.

Hayley commented, “I used to perform at Brentwood Theatre when training at Havering College, and I set up my own dance school a couple of years ago.

“This is my first showcase and I was delighted when the Theatre called me to say we had sold out, and offering a second performance. The kids and the parents are really excited – and we still have nearly three months to go.”

Many people have queried how the recent arts grants have affected Brentwood Theatre. Mark commented, “Essex County Council charge us no rent, and the Borough pay our rates, but other than that we make ends meet by earning income from hiring out the venue, using volunteers to manage the Theatre, and by constant fundraising which many individuals are generous to support.”

The Theatre’s Box Office is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and tickets range usually around £10 - £15, depending upon the production.

Full details of all productions are posted on www.brentwood-theatre.org which is regularly updated.