Issued October 2007
New Hampshire Theatre celebrates its first
birthday
With theatres up and down the country
too often under threat of closure it is exciting to report on a
real success story in the heart of Hampshire.
Opened in October 2006, after a 1.5
million investment by Test Valley Borough Council, The Lights in
Andover is this month celebrating its first year of operation
having firmly established itself on the southern regional arts
scene.
In the 1970s the Cricklade College was
built in Andover incorporating a 275 raked auditorium. For almost
30 years The Cricklade Theatre operated under the umbrella of the
college but by 2003, with the college facing different priorities
the theatre went dark. This meant that local theatre goers faced a
round trip of some 40 miles to visit venues in surrounding
towns.
Demonstrating a real commitment to the
arts, Test Valley Borough Council stepped forward in October 2005
to purchase the flat roofed, dilapidated 1970’s building and within
one year opened a completely remodelled, stylish new venue renamed
The Lights.
Borough Council Leader, Councillor Ian
Carr said this week " "I am very proud of what we have achieved at
The Lights, to complete such a complex, at about half the normal
cost per square metre, within a year was magnificent. The
Venue Director, Heather Whittam, is to be commended for
her inspiring choice of performers and I am delighted
that so many local residents and many others have taken The
lights to heart and made it the success it surely
is."
From the start The Lights has operated
as "more than a theatre". It now features a large Arena Hall,
complete with sparkling glass roof which floods the area with
light, leading on to an outdoor canopied deck area. Complemented by
a bar and café area the Arena hosts a range of events including
performances in the round, themed exhibitions, and when the lights
are changed, a place to relax in a more intimate, cabaret style
environment, perfect for the monthly Comedy Club.
The 242 seat raked auditorium has been
completely reconfigured to improve both access and comfort.
Complete with a new sound system, new lights, and new seats it
offers visitors a first class experience.
Other facilities include a
professionally equipped dance studio, a studio primarily for
workshop use, and for business clients, a large conference room and
board room with full supporting services.
As The Lights approaches its first
birthday its considerable success is demonstrated by:
- Over 64,000 visitors through the doors to enjoy one of the 44
sell out shows.
- A new mailing list of some 7500 people with 217 joining as
Spotlight Members
- A staggering 42% of the 2007 autumn season sold in one
month.
Visiting artists include comedians
Mark Thomas, Ed Byrne, Sue Perkins, Richard Digance, Punt and
Dennis, Phil Jupitus, Barry Cryer and Pam Ayres. Music lovers have
enjoyed such diverse acts as Sandi Thom, Ralph McTell, The Animals,
Pluck, Tommy Emmanuel, Graffiti Classics, The Hamsters, Chas and
Dave, Midge Ure, and Show of Hands. Shows such as
Sing-a-long-a-Sound of Music, C’mon Everybody, One Night of Elvis,
Halfway to Paradise and Mad About the Musical have also sold out.
And "evenings with" Germaine Greer, Nicholas Parsons, Benedict
Allen, Jeremy Hardy and Chris Packham have been well received.
Other strands of the venue’s operation
have seen over 130 meetings and conferences being staged in the
venue and 512 children participating in a range of holiday
workshops.
Venue Director Heather Whittam
commented "Our first year’s success gives us a great foundation and
real reason to celebrate. The future of the arts in Andover looks
very bright"
Issued October
2007
Happy Birthday to The Lights
Andover’s new arts and entertainment
venue The Lights, is celebrating its first year anniversary during
October half term week. To set the celebratory scene, colourful
silk flags and helium balloons will decorate both the approaches
and the inside of the venue.
On Monday 22 October a special
birthday party is planned for Spotlight Members and invited guests
prior to the regular monthly Acoustic evening in the Arena Hall. As
the anniversary coincided with half term young people can join one
of three special drama and arts workshops on the Halloween theme,
Pumpkins Problems, The Worst Witch and Scary Scribbles.
Free lunchtime concerts will be staged
in the Arena Hall during the week. Local jazz singer Sharon Vennall
and pianist Ray Blazdell will be performing on Wednesday, The
Andover Light Orchestra on the Friday and saxophonist Nick Barwick
on the Saturday.
A highlight of the week is likely to
be the Bright Sparks Reception where many of the regular volunteers
will enjoy a reception to thank them for their support and hard
work over the past year. Heather Whittam, Venue Director said,
"Many of our Bright Sparks have given freely of their time to
support the venue. They’ve undertaken everything from being a
welcoming usher guiding people to their seats or storing coats on
wet and windy evenings, to mastering the intricacies of our
computerised box office system. All these things and more have been
willingly undertaken and we are very grateful".
Approaching Christmas the popular mix
of music, comedy and drama on offer at The Lights continues with
the Ballet Russe performing "Swan Lake", the Dorset Corset
Company’s "Far From the Madding Crowd", comedian Michael McIntyre,
the Jive Aces and Paul Young’s "Los Pacaminos". So, if you’re
looking for the perfect gift you might like to consider theatre
tickets, Lights gift vouchers or maybe even a Spotlight
Membership.
Please contact The Lights Box Office
on 01264 368368 for more details or visit http://www.thelights.org.uk/
Issued October
2007
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Spotlight On Singing
After three taster sessions in the summer term,. The Spotlight
Singers, under the guidance of workshop leader Sarah Morgan, began
their regular Monday afternoon sessions at the beginning of
September. Initial nerves soon gave way, and the group is already
going from strength to strength, enjoying not only their singing,
but a convivial cup of tea or coffee in the cafe afterwards!
The songs they have learned this half term include a sea shanty,
a Hebridean seal calling song, a medieval Latin Carol, and a
current favourite Hava Nashira, a beautiful Hebrew song. It
is not too late for new members to join and some more male voices
would be particularly welcome. Just call the Box
Office on 01264 368368
Issued October 2007
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