ART & CULTURE : West End Values In An East Riding Setting

West End Values In An East Riding Setting
West End Values In An East Riding Setting

Beverley’s East Riding Theatre on is unique in many respects. Since it opened its doors in December 2014 it has consistently delivered high quality, platinum-coated drama, music and entertainment to the people of and beyond.

Located in a converted Baptist chapel it is very much a community effort, run largely by a loyal band of over one hundred local volunteers who ensure a friendly welcome, serve you refreshments with a smile, keep the theatre ship shape and staff the box office.

A Board of Trustees oversee the enterprise, managing the theatre and producing many of the shows. Dame Judi Dench is Patron, and international film and television actor (and Beverley resident) Vincent Regan is Creative Director and an original founder of the theatre.

The ERT receives no public funding, relying on ticket sales, incoming shows and benevolent corporate sponsors to sustain its overheads. This makes its success all the more remarkable. Its productions have garnered superlative reviews. In September 2016 the revival of Richard Vergette’s award winning play ‘As We Forgive Them’, directed by Andrew Pearson and starring Hull born actor and Hollywood star dress Marc Pickering, received national recognition in ‘The Stage’, the bible of the performing arts industry. Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ was also a huge success.

The ERT’s inaugural sell-out production and first Christmas show was ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 2014 (adapted for the stage by Vincent Regan and directed by internationally acclaimed director, Mike Friend) with ‘Oliver Twist’ following in 2015. These seasonal shows are tours de force showcasing exceptional talent including local actors. ‘Great Expectations’ opens on December 14th, 2016 and completes a trilogy of Charles Dickens at the theatre.

Regan also co-starred with Adrian Rawlins in Keith Huff’s gripping ‘A Steady Rain’ and Joe Bennett’s ‘Sparrow’ was another hit for the ERT. Drama aside, the theatre has attracted many famous names in music, cabaret and comedy, most recently Jacqui Dankworth, Kiki Dee, James Veitch and Charlie Bicknell. The theatre also supports local arts festivals, hosts creative/play writing workshops, master classes and musical theatre and drama summer schools for aspiring young performers.

The ERT’s popular and award winning café bar is open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30 – 16.00 and often plays host to local celebrations and events.

Theatre Manager is keen that the East Riding Theatre will become ‘an artistic force to be reckoned with; regionally, nationally and internationally.’ It’s well on its way to achieving this.

‘We may be a small venue but our ambition is huge.’

Visit: http://www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk/ to book tickets online and discover more.

By



More From HU17.net

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *