The last 14 months have been incredibly tough for the theatre industry and everyone in it. That is why we are ecstatic to have finally reached the 17th of May when indoor theatres can reopen ...
The last 14 months have been incredibly tough for the theatre industry and everyone in it!
"Of course, not all are opening, or able to open, just yet!"
Milton Keynes Theatre reopens on 26th June, Stantonbury Theatre after 31st July and Aylesbury Waterside Theatre plan for September. Until these wonderful venues both local and national are able to come alive again, please keep doing what you can to support them.
Here are our top 5 ways to support theatre:
Book tickets
With theatres opening there are lots of new performances to choose from. Why not start booking tickets or how about buying a Theatre Token, which can be used in 260 venues around the UK?
Donate or sponsorship
Have you ever thought about donating to charities supporting the industry or sponsoring your smaller theatres?
Sign up to newsletters
Sign up for your favourite theatre's newsletter to get hot off the press news and quite often, great deals. Our newsletter, The Arches+, gives you the news before anyone else and the opportunity to purchase tickets to our shows one week before they go on general sale! Sign up now for our 2022 season!
Swap and not refund
If a performance you were due to see has been cancelled, see if you can swap your tickets to another performance instead of getting a refund. Not only will the theatre keep your much-needed money, but you will also have something fantastic to look forward to.
Don't forget to stream shows online and donate where you can!
Tickets to our summer season are selling quickly. We have something for everyone to enjoy. From Cinderella and Robin Hood to Twelfth Night, Jane Eyre and Musicals in the Park, plus much more. Head over to our What's On page and book your tickets today. We open on 24th July, which is only nine weeks away.
We can't wait to have you all with us again this year.
Until next time ...
DAVID PIBWORTH
Would you like to know more?
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01234 241357 and let's see how I can help you.
David is the owner and Artistic Director of The Arches Theatre in Clifton Reynes near Milton Keynes. Productions are underneath some flood arches on the disused Midland railway line (Bedford to Northampton). It is equidistant from Bedford, Northampton and Milton Keynes. You bring your food, drink and chairs and enjoy the varied shows that are produced. This year - 2022 - there are 12 productions on throughout the season, from Shakespeare to Ripping Yarns plus a music weekend.
David has been involved in 'Light Ent' for many years, working with Ray Galton and Alan Simpson adapting the scripts of 'Steptoe and Son' and those of Tony Hancock to the stage. He has produced shows for Norman Wisdom (which makes him feel old), Al Murray, and Joe Pasquale amongst others, and also worked in the music business promoting and producing shows with Chas and Dave, Neil Inness, Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk and others of that ilk.
He is also the director of a film school for young people in his home town of Olney as well as supporting many local events.
He recently negotiated permission from Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais to stage a short run of 'Porridge' on stage which proved a success.
This year the annual charity performance at The Arches Theatre will be the last of 'Ripping Yarns' by Michael Palin and Terry Jones, with the profits being donated to The National Brain Appeal' for research into dementia as David's father and uncle died of it, as did Michael Palin's friend and writing partner Terry Jones. Last year they raised an astonishing £10,000 and are hoping to get somewhere close again with the support of audiences and sponsors.
David also has a stage hire company and his wife Julie runs a livery yard, so they are surrounded by horses, dogs, light entertainment and and a 17 year old daughter.
He plays in a comedy jazz band and collects strange props such as the Spitting Image puppets of Denis Thatcher and Alan Bennett, the child catchers bike from the stage show of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and various other 'things' all of which he sells to raise money for the Arches Theatre, although he always finds it hard to part from these props. However as the theatre receives no funding at all, he is always devising ways to keep it going! Sponsors are always welcome!
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