August 16, 2021 - 909 views
Theatres around the country were the first to close amid the pandemic, and one of the only industries to have remained closed in their entirety over the past 17 months.
However, there is a ‘spotlight’ at the end of this very long interval for Venue Cymru, who has announced an opening date for its face to face services and its first live show.
Many people will have visited Venue Cymru during their time closed, and seen it in a very different, yet important guise.
A member of the theatre team said ‘We’re proud to have been able to assist the NHS in their remarkable vaccination effort which has enabled us to get to this point."
Venue Cymru’s Box Office will reopen on site from 1st September, alongside Catlin’s Café Bar.
The venue’s Box Office has worked on a much scaled back staff with all bookings moving online and via the telephone. The Box Office team, together with the Programming and Marketing staff have together undertaken a huge task of rescheduling in excess of 500 performances.
“We’re looking forward to our programme of live events and have been planning ahead since last March. We’ve been waiting for absolute clarification from the Welsh Assembly Government and we can now announce that our first show back will be An Evening with Jane McDonald on 5th September.”
Jane was originally performing in June 2020 and this date was rescheduled during the height of the restrictions.
North Wales’ premier venue will be back in full swing for their annual Pantomime, the perfect family occasion for all to enjoy. Aladdin could be the perfect end to a really unsettling year. John Evans will be taking a lead role after a hiatus in Liverpool, the laugh everyone needs too.
This year’s production will be co-produced by Venue Cymru and Imagine Theatre, a production created in North Wales specifically for their audiences, with creatives, artists and freelancers who too were ‘Made in North Wales’.
There is inevitably going to be reluctance to travel for a while, there has been a surge in staycations, and Llandudno a really popular destination for many at the moment.
Llandudno and North Wales is lucky to have Venue Cymru, their programme is on the touring circuit for all major West End productions.
The The Rocky Horror show, starring Ore Oduba could be one epic opening party for Venue Cymru from 13th September.
Hit Musical The School of Rock is also listed this side of Christmas for all Musical Theatre fans. New musicals like Waitress and Dreamgirls are on the billing in the Spring and classics like Jersey Boys and Footloose mean you won’t need to travel to the major cities for long awaited and world class live entertainment.
Venue Cymru will open with their auditorium at full capacity. Face Coverings will be a legal requirement within the facility with the exception of diners in the restaurant area, those drinking in the café and bar areas and of course, patrons who have a medical exemption.
Patrons will be encouraged to order their interval drinks and pay with contactless payment wherever possible. Rigorous and enhanced cleaning regimes will keep audiences safe, track and trace will be encouraged from all visitors and additional hand sanitising stations have been put in place.
A spokesperson said “The safety of our visitors and our team members remains of paramount importance and we will continue to follow the advice and guidance from the Welsh Government. Once we reopen we will continually monitor our practises and ask our patrons for their feedback.”
Sarah Ecob Head of Service: Arts and Culture said “That first night when we hear the announcement, Ladies and Gentlemen, the doors to the auditorium are now open and it’s time to take your seats it’s going to be very special.
“We cannot wait to welcome you back. The long awaited return of live events is almost upon us, and what a programme we have lined up we have for you – Enjoy! and thank you for your loyalty and support over the past 18 months”
Theatres need their audiences more than ever. Full Listings for the entire Venue Cymru programme can be found at www.venuecymru.co.uk.
