Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
| File:AylesburyWatersideTheatre1.jpg Entrance to the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre | |
 | |
| Address | Exchange Street Aylesbury  United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | Proscenium |
| Capacity | 1200(3 levels) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 2010 |
| Architect | Norman Bragg for RHWL Arts Team |
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is a new £42million [1] theatre in Aylesbury, England, United Kingdom presenting a range of West End and touring musicals and plays, along with performances of opera and ballet and a Christmas pantomime.[2]
History
In 2003, Aylesbury Vale District Council held a public consultation into plans for a new theatre to be built to replace the current Civic Centre Theatre. Norman Bragg for London based architects RHWL Arts Team was commissioned in 2007 to undertake detailed design work [3] with a ceremony to mark the commencement of building work held on 24 May of that year with Councillor Sue Polhill, Chairman of Aylesbury Vale District Council cutting a sod from the earth [4]. The building work was carried out by Hertfordshire based Willmott Dixon[5].
On 18 February 2009 Ambassador Theatre Group was announced as the preferred management contractor for the new venue[6] with Joint Chief Executives Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire, OBE signing a 6 year management contract in January 2010[7].
Aylesbury born actress Lynda Bellingham marked the completion of the highest part of the building work on 24 April 2009 with a traditional topping out ceremony. [8]
In a joint press release on 23 February 2010, Ambassador Theatre Group and Aylesbury Vale District Council announced that the theatre would open on 12 October 2010 [9]. The first season went on sale on 23 March 2010 with Northern Ballet's Swan Lake set to be the first performance [10].
Acoustics
The acoustic design, by Arup Acoustics, includes a 'Carmen' electroacoustic enhancement stystem. This electronically adjusts the base acoustic (designed for speech and amplified events) to provide a more reverberant sound for symphonic and choral performces.
Grand Opening
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was officially opened on 12 October 2010 by Cilla Black. The launch was marked with an open air live event hosted by Jonathan Wilkes and Suzanne Shaw. Guests included David Suchet, Simon Callow, Ruby Wax, Susan Hampshire and Richard O'Brien[11]. Monty Python star and Spamalot writer Eric Idle sent a pre-recorded message to mark the occasion[12].
References
- ^ Aylesbury's £42million Theatre Opens http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/29923/aylesburys-42m-waterside-theatre
- ^ Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Season Information http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2010/mar/aylesbury-waterside-theatre-sensational-opening-season-sale/
- ^ Detailed Design Work Commences http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2006/feb/detailed-design-work-starts-new-theatre/
- ^ Ceremony marks start of new theatre - http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2007/may/ceremony-marks-start-new-theatre/
- ^ Aylesbury Vale District Council Announce Theatre Operator http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2009/feb/operator-chosen-aylesbury-waterside-theatre/
- ^ Aylesbury Vale District Council Announce Theatre Operator http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2009/feb/operator-chosen-aylesbury-waterside-theatre/
- ^ ATG Sign Contract to Manage Aylesbury Waterside Theatre http://www.ambassadortickets.com/news_detail.aspx?ID=538&q=&RegionID=15&ResultList=1
- ^ Topping Out Marks Major Landmark http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2009/may/topping-marks-major-milestone-new-theatre/
- ^ Theatre Opening Day Announced http://www.ambassadortickets.com/news_detail.aspx?ID=571&q=&RegionID=15&ResultList=1
- ^ Aylesbury Waterside Theatre First Season On Sale http://www.ambassadortickets.com/news_detail.aspx?ID=600&q=&RegionID=15&ResultList=1
- ^ Waterside Theatre Opens http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/threecounties/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9083000/9083183.stm
- ^ Eric Idle's Message to Aylesbury http://www.ambassadortickets.com/content.aspx?CategoryID=275&ArticleID=179&fp=1&RegionID=15
External links