16/05/2012

NEWS



9th March 2015
The BBC has commissioned a film on Theatre Royal Margate which will form part of a series of documentaries highlighting regional theatres across England.

The 30 minute documentary will be filmed over three months between March and May and will be screened in autumn on BBC1.

Work on the documentary starts with filming of the show Feral in Margate by theatre company Tortoise in a Nutshell. This show is of special interest to the film's director as it is being reworked to reflect the people and places of Margate following a research period in January when the company were in residence here. Local businesses, charities and shops, as well as Dreamland will all be represented in the show.

Peter Williams – Director of the documentary said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to make this film for at least two reasons: one, to tell the story of an iconic building with a unique history and two, to bring the good news to a wider audience of the arts-led renaissance of Margate"

The documentary will also include interviews with local people, performers and theatre staff, and will even feature a wedding on stage!
www.thanetgazette.co.uk/BBC-film-Margate-s-Theatre-Royal-new-documentary



 STOP PRESS - 15 May 2012. Due to severe financial problems, the Theatre Royal Margate Trust has been dissolved and the lease repurchased by Thanet District Council and will now be run by Thanet Leisure Force.See the text of TDC's press release here
FURTHER UPDATE July 2013: This contract has now been extended for a further two years

Date:            Wednesday, 16 May 2012

NEWS RELEASE

COUNCIL BUYS THEATRE ROYAL BUSINESS

Thanet District Council, with the close co-operation of the Theatre Royal Margate Trust agreed terms for the transfer of the Theatre Royal business as an ongoing concern.

On 23rd April 2012, the Board of Trustees for Theatre Royal Margate Trust regretfully took the decision to close its current operations following financial difficulties.

Thanet District Council and the Arts Council have supported the Theatre Royal, Margate for many years. Following discussions with the Theatre Royal Margate Trust, Thanet District Council has stepped in to support it during this difficult time. The Council is now working closely with Thanet Leisureforce, to ensure a seamless transfer of management in order to continue to provide the existing and additional programme of events for 2012/13.

Kent County Council has also supported and funded the theatre for a number of years, and intends to continue that support in 2012. Theatre Royal Margate remains an important organisation in the regeneration plans for Margate, and KCC is pleased to support Thanet District Council’s interim management arrangements to keep the theatre open to the public.

Cllr Iris Johnston, Cabinet Member for Community Services said: "We were sad to hear of the decision made by the Board of Trustees for Theatre Royal Margate to cease its current operations. Thanet District Council has always fully supported the Theatre Royal, a relationship we were planning to continue. We were informed of the financial challenges facing the Theatre's operation and understand that the decision made by the Board of Trustees was necessary. The Theatre Royal, Margate remains extremely important to us and the community in the plans for the regeneration of Margate, and we will continue to do all we can to safeguard its future."

Dr. Mark Deller, Chairman of the Theatre Royal Trust said: “The trustees are passing the operation of the Theatre Royal Margate, a jewel in Thanet’s crown, over to the Council and then to Thanet Leisure Force in good faith. We judge that the Council and its partners are the safest place for this community asset to reside in the current turbulent climate.We trust that the Council and its partners will continue the development of this wonderful Grade II* theatre in the best interests of the local community and our national heritage.”

ENDS

For more information on this story please contact:

Justine Wingate

Communications Manager, Thanet District Council

Tel: 01843 577169

e-mail: justine.wingate@thanet.gov.uk

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