ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
THERE’ S NOTHING QUITE LIKE the Theatre cont.
Revelation St Mary’ s, Ashford
Nestled just off Ashford High Street is the 14thcentury St Mary the Virgin Church; warm, intimate, quaint, the very picture of what a country church should be, slightly at odds with being just a stone’ s throw from a bustling high street. But it’ s a church with a difference as just five years ago it opened its doors as Revelation, a unique music venue at the heart of Ashford’ s arts scene. What makes this place so special is the passion of all those involved to make it happen. Debra McGee is the general manager and only full time staff member in a small team of three. RSM relies on its team of volunteers and its board of trustees.
This revolutionary approach to arts programming( the church is still a working church) is nothing new for Ashford who were also one of the first to embrace the concept of shared space with great success.
Following major investment and support from both Ashford Borough Council and Arts Council England, Revelation opened its doors in 2011 with an exceptional acoustic, highquality sound and projection systems and an ambition transform the arts scene in Ashford.
www. revelationashford. co. uk // 01233 663201
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
The Marlowe Theatre is one of the most iconic buildings in Canterbury city centre, and as such it has a lot to live up to. Thankfully, this beautiful theatre offers some of the most artistically diverse shows around including dance, music, drama, and children’ s shows.
The theatre re-opened in 2011 after an extensive programme of refurbishment which meant that it could offer more space to artists and the public alike. It is now seen as one of the leading lights of arts within Kent, and even produces its own plays with a view to incorporating local writers into the fold in the future.
www. marlowetheatre. com // 01227 787787
Avenue Theatre, Sittingbourne
The Avenue Theatre offers a wide range of events and services from full-scale musicals to the most heart-warming tales and fun children’ s productions. Or perhaps you prefer an evening of live music or a movie? They have it all! Whatever your taste there will be something for you. The theatre is also available to hire from just £ 5 per hour, per room. There is the Auditorium, the West End Room, or the Broadway Room – suitable for meetings, rehearsals, family gatherings and private cinema hire is also available.
www. avenuetheatre. co. uk // 01795 471140
Margate Winter Gardens, Margate
The Winter Gardens was opened on 3rd August 1911 by the then Mayor of Margate, Alderman W. B. Reeve. Margate blazed the trail that others were to follow. So the history of municipal entertainments in this country can be traced back to Margate.
The Winter Gardens has never just been a venue for the various art forms. It has been a major conference and exhibition centre for most of its life. Over the years it has seen many conferences held by various political parties and around the 1950s was considered to be one of the top conference venues in the country. Bringing the Winter Gardens into the 21st century has seen many changes. The Winter Gardens is now part of an Industrial and Provident Society in partnership with Thanet District Council. The Company was originally called Thanet Leisureforce Ltd, now Your Leisure Kent Limited, and brought together, not only the Entertainment / Hospitality side of the industry, but also the leisure and fitness industry in Thanet.
www. margatewintergardens. co. uk // 01843 292795
The Brook Theatre, Chatham
Formerly Chatham Town Hall, stunning Victorian architecture provides an unforgettable backdrop for this creative factory in the heart of Medway. Housing four professional creative companies as well as Medway Council’ s Arts team, The Brook Theatre is a buzzing hub for new and existing talent in all areas of the arts.
There are two performance areas allowing for a range of traditional and contemporary theatre, dance, music and entertainment with a particularly strong focus on children’ s theatre.
http:// tickets. medway. gov. uk / thebrookthe atre. aspx // 01634 338338
The Central Theatre, Chatham
There is nothing like seeing a live show: the anticipation, the atmosphere, the unique connections between audience and performer, and of course the memories. This beautiful 965-seat venue is already home to myriad memories and it is waiting for you to come along and make more unforgettable ones of your own. Making The Central Theatre yours is at the heart of their programming, carefully putting together a season of shows to reflect the tastes of the area.
http:// tickets. medway. gov. uk / thecentralth eatre. aspx // 01634 338338
Theatre Royal, Margate
Revelation St Marys © Lewis J Brockway
On 27th June 1787, amid much ceremony, the Theatre Royal Margate opened its doors for the first time. The first performances being She Stoops to Conquer, and All the World’ s a Stage. Initially, it was built to vie as a facility for the entertainment of the upper classes along with the Assembly Rooms, Cecil Square( 1770s), and the Circulating Library, Hawley Square( 1786), both now sadly demolished.
The theatre is therefore of major significance, both historically, and architecturally and is well supported by its local community. In April 2007, the building was bought by Thanet District Council and leased back to Margate Theatre Royal Trust on a peppercorn rent. Essential improvements to the fabric of the building were carried out and core funding agreed by Thanet District Council and Kent County Council. The theatre reopened in September 2007 and successfully developed rapidly from a struggling seaside venue to an energetic arts organisation presenting high-quality professional work, offering a new community, youth and education programme delivered to over 20,000 people each year.
www
. theatreroyalmargate. com // 01843 292795
Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells
The Assembly Hall Theatre is a 1,020-seat venue in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. It was built in 1939, and there are faint echoes of the Art Deco movement all over the building, inside and out. And after a £ 1.5mil refurbishment in August 2015, The Assembly Hall is now even better than ever.
Not only is the theatre a beautiful one, but it plays host to some of the biggest and best shows in Kent, with many a West End transfer knocking on The Assembly Hall’ s doors before anyone else’ s.
The Tunbridge Wells Opera and Dramatic Society have called The Assembly Hall home since 1967, and have put on many excellent productions since then.
www. assemblyhalltheatre. co. uk // 01892 530613
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