Theatregoers ignore recession (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Theatregoers ignore recession

3:09pm Tuesday 23rd February 2010

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RECESSION-HIT theatregoers show no sign of giving up visits to shows in Southend.

By the end of the 2009/10 financial year, more than 400,000 people will have visited the Cliffs Pavilion, the Palace Theatre and the Dixon Studio.

The theatres have had a chequered history and have only, in recent years, turned their fortunes around.

The Palace Theatre, in London Road, Westcliff, which also houses the small Dixon Studio, closed in 2003 after the management company suddenly pulled out.

Southend Council took responsibility for running and maintaining both theatres, but finally closed the Palace in 2005, when it could no longer bear the financial burden. But current management company HQ Theatres took over the Palace and Cliffs in 2006, reopened the Palace and turned the fortunes of both venues around.

Paul Driscoll, marketing manager for the theatres, said: “There is no doubt we are doing well despite the recession.

“Last year, we had 420,000 people in attendance, the best we had for three years.

“This year, we have had 415,000 visitors through the doors, with another five weeks to go until the end of the financial year.

“So we are set to match, if not exceed, last year’s total. With the current economic climate it is a remarkable achievement.

“Cinderella was our most successful pantomime ever this year, taking over £1million. Shows like High School Musical and Calendar Girls have sold out.

“I think the success is partly because in a recession people can, for a relatively small amount, come and see a great show and forget their worries.

“A varied programme is also key to our success, with something for everyone.

“People in Essex like to see big names. People like Alison Moyet and Jools Holland are very popular, as is home-grown talent like Lee Mead and Russell Kane.

“Russell started off in the small Dixon Studio and is now filling the Palace Theatre, downstairs, with his very popular shows.”

Mr Driscoll is confident the Towngate expansion will not affect his figures.

He said: “The Essex population is something like nearly two million people.

“The seated capacity of our three Southend theatres is 2,400, so it is a very small percentage of the population.”

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