IT ’ S BEEN JUST SIX MONTHS SINCE I , ALONGSIDE MY FELLOW CO-OWNERS PARISA AND MATT BEGAN OUR AMBITIOUS RENOVATION PROJECT TO RESTORE AND REGENERATE RAMSGATE ’ S THE GRANVILLE THEATRE , HOPING TO BRING THE MUCH-ADORED SPACE BACK INTO THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY .
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MAY GUEST COLUMNIST ZAHRA TARJOMANI ON ...
LIFE BACKSTAGE at The Granville Theatre
IT ’ S BEEN JUST SIX MONTHS SINCE I , ALONGSIDE MY FELLOW CO-OWNERS PARISA AND MATT BEGAN OUR AMBITIOUS RENOVATION PROJECT TO RESTORE AND REGENERATE RAMSGATE ’ S THE GRANVILLE THEATRE , HOPING TO BRING THE MUCH-ADORED SPACE BACK INTO THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY .
Some said it couldn ’ t be done , but we knew it could - and now , we ’ re getting ready to unveil the theatre in all its glory , marking a new era of artistic enrichment , community engagement and unforgettable entertainment in the heart of Ramsgate .
Entertainment is in our blood - my sister Parisa and I have always loved performing , and along with Matt , we ’ ve also been heavily involved in the local arts scene for a long time - so being given the chance to breathe new life into The Granville Theatre has been amazing . Of course , it ’ s been hard work and a challenge turning the project around in less than six months , but what an opportunity .
The theatre originally opened in 1922 and has long been an integral part of Ramsgate ' s cultural fabric , so it ’ s exciting that a century on it ’ s still going to be at the heart of the community .
Creating a space that can be used and loved by local people was very important to us when we started planning the regeneration of the theatre , and we ’ ve introduced new community spaces , including pop up art galleries and rehearsal studios , which will serve as vibrant hubs for local artists to collaborate , create and exhibit their work .
The Granville will also be a place for all ages - we ’ ll be offering educational programs , workshops , and outreach initiatives to foster a deep appreciation for the arts among the youth of Ramsgate and beyond .
While the local community will always be our first priority , we ’ ve also got big plans to bring some amazing talent to the theatre , with West-End musicals , off- Broadway shows and chart-topping bands all due to grace the stage with their presence . We ’ ve expanded the stage and the auditorium can now seat 600 guests , so over the coming months and years we ’ ll be able to host musicals , plays , films , bands and conferences .
As co-directors we ’ ve certainly had our work cut out for us over the past few months , but we ’ ve also been really lucky that we ’ ve been supported by The Ambassadors Theatre Group ( ATG ) who are at the helm of box office administration and ticket sales . It means that our venue is listed amongst some of the biggest and best in the country , which is just amazing .
For me , I think the thrill is knowing we ’ ll be able to welcome the community back to The Granville Theatre and provide a much-needed platform for the arts to thrive once again .
Our extensive renovation and reimagining of this beloved venue will ensure unforgettable experiences for our audiences while nurturing the creative spirit of our community . We ’ re looking forward to creating lasting memories and forging new connections through the power of the performing arts .
www . thegranvilletheatre . com
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