insideKENT Magazine Issue 70 - January 2018 | Page 41

TOWNSPOTLIGHT THE WOODVILLE: 50 years of arts in Gravesend WHAT HAVE WILL SMITH, DANIEL CRAIG, CATHERINE TATE AND THE WOODVILLE ALL GOT IN COMMON? THEY HAVE ALL STARRED IN LANDMARK FILM FRANCHISES? NEARLY. THEY ALL LOOK CUTE IN A PAIR OF BUDGIE SMUGGLERS? SO CLOSE! UNBELIEVABLY, THEY ARE ALL TURNING 50 IN 2018 AND GRAVESEND’S ICONIC LANDMARK THEATRE HASN’T EVEN HAD A FACELIFT...NOT THAT THEY’RE SUGGESTING WILL, DANIEL AND CATHERINE HAVE! The Woodville was officially opened on Friday 15th November 1968 by Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Kent. It was designed by architects, H.T Cadbury-Brown and Partners, who were followers of the modernist school of architecture and heavily influenced by the work of Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier. The building was state-of-the-art at the time and was truly multi-purpose and able to offer a gamut of events f rom pantomime to weddings, ballroom dancing to boxing and, of course, theatre. In the intervening years, the Blake Gallery, the Paul Greengrass Cinema and Studio Theatre have all been added to the great range of creative opportunities that exist within the building on Community Square. To celebrate all things Woodville, they’re planning an entire year of events and parties, so that all of their patrons and partners can join in with them marking 50 years of fantastic arts and entertainment. To name but some, they’re offering 50 babies born in 2018 unlimited theatre and cinema tickets until they are 18 years old, in addition to a specially created Woodville Baby Box. For the creative amongst you, they’re running a year-long review competition. But, here’s the twist, you have to review a show you have seen at the Woodville in 50 words or less and post it on Twitter with the hashatg #woodville50. In true Willy Wonka style, they’re offering ‘Golden Tickets’ at selected shows. These tickets will be hidden underneath specific seats and the lucky winners can expect some really special prizes, from drinks at the bar to free tickets to other shows and events. There may even be opportunities to win a meet and greet with a favourite star when they visit Gravesend. In addition to the prizes and giveaways planned, they have asked the supremely funny and very talented acapella singing group, Sons of Pitches, to record their version of the song that was number one on the day that the Woodville opened – yes, ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ will be given the SoP treatment and they’ll be asking all of their celebrity guests throughout the year to add their versions to a montage that will be built upon throughout the year. Of course, no theatre year would be complete without a pantomime to finish it off. The first panto staged at the Woodville was Mother Goose, and the theatre is delighted that they will be giving this show a well deserved 2018 makeover, bringing their 50th birthday celebrations to a fantastic finale! Oh yes they will! What a year! For more info, please visit www.woodville.co.uk. The Woodville Woodville Place Gravesend Kent DA12 1DD 01474 337 459 [email protected] www.woodville.co.uk TheWoodville WoodvilleGravesend 41