Trafalgar Entertainment
Trafalgar Entertainment is a British multinational entertainment group co-founded in 2017 by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire after they stepped down from running Ambassador Theatre Group.[1] Based in London, UK, the company primarily focuses on new productions and the distribution of live streamed content.
Trafalgar Entertainment is the second-largest theatre operator in the UK.[2]
History edit
In 2004, Ambassador Theatre Group first announced that The Whitehall Theatre in London would be reconfigured and reopened with the new name Trafalgar Studios.[3]
After being founded in 2017, Trafalgar acquired the global event cinema business Picturehouse Entertainment, rebranding to Trafalgar Releasing, which specialises in broadcasting live productions.[4]
The following year, the company acquired Stagecoach Performing Arts, a UK provider of Performing Arts tuition with over 2,000 schools and classes. Stagecoach shares a Head Office with Trafalgar Entertainment in Woking, UK.[5]
In 2019, Trafalgar Entertainment began a new partnership with London Theatre Direct, one of the UK's leading ticket retailer distributors and acquired UK-based event cinema distribution specialist, More2Screen.[3]
Later that year, the company announced the launch of Jonathan Church Theatre Productions with theatre director and producer Jonathan Church as Artistic Director.[6]
2020-2022 edit
In March 2020, Trafalgar Entertainment's flagship London venue Trafalgar Studios was forced to close its doors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] In May of that year, Westminster City Council granted planning permission to return Trafalgar Studios to a 630 seat theatre.[8] Building work commenced in the Summer of 2020 and the redevelopment was overseen by Foster Wilson Size Architects.[9]
In May 2020, Trafalgar Entertainment reached an agreement with the New South Wales Government in Australia to become the new operator of Theatre Royal Sydney in a 55-year sublease.[10] In July 2021, Theatre Royal Sydney reopened with Alanis Morissette's Broadway Musical Jagged Little Pill.[11]
In March 2021, the company acquired HQ Theatres,[12] the UK's largest specialist regional theatre operator with a portfolio of 12 theatres, including Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff-on-Sea, G Live in Guildford, Churchill Theatre in Bromley and the Orchard Theatre in Dartford.[13]
Trafalgar Entertainment also went on to acquire a 35-year lease at the Olympia Theatre, London, in May 2021.[14] The theatre is currently under development as part of the regeneration of Olympia London and is set to open in 2025.[15]
In June 2021, Trafalgar Entertainment opened its first cinema complex, The Chiswick Cinema, a five-screen cinema with a private members club. It was the first new cinema in Chiswick, England, to open since 1934.[16]
After a restoration project in 2020, Trafalgar Studios was reopened as Trafalgar Theatre in July 2021 with a revival of the musical Jersey Boys.[17] The restoration returned the venue to a single auditorium with a capacity of 630 seats.[18]
In August 2021, HQ Theatres, as part of the Trafalgar Entertainment group, became the new operator of The New Theatre in Cardiff, Wales, with a 25-year lease.[19]
The following month, Trafalgar Entertainment successfully acquired the children's performing arts organisation Helen O'Grady Drama Academy.[20]
In 2022, the company acquired the London theatre app Stagedoor.[21]
2023 - present edit
In April 2023, Trafalgar Entertainment announced the acquisition of its first Scottish venue, The Pavilion Theatre, in Glasgow, Scotland.[22] It is one of the oldest theatres in Scotland, first opening in 1904.[23]
In August 2023, Trafalgar Entertainment acquired Imagine Theatre, one of the UK's largest pantomime producers.[24]
In March 2024, Trafalgar Entertainment was named in the FT1000 annual ranking of Europe's fastest growing companies.[25]
Divisions edit
In 2022, Trafalgar Entertainment announced the launch of two new divisions; Trafalgar Theatres and Trafalgar Tickets.[26]
Trafalgar Theatres edit
Trafalgar Theatres was launched in May 2022 as part of the company consolidating its venue operations under one division.[23] The previously acquired HQ Theatres brand was retired, and the 12 UK regional venues became a part of the new Trafalgar Theatres division. The company’s flagship venue Trafalgar Theatre, as well as Olympia Theatre, and Sydney’s Theatre Royal were also made part of the division.[27]
Trafalgar Tickets edit
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment’s consolidation in 2022, Trafalgar Tickets was also launched for regional ticketing. Johan Oostervald leads this new division as the CEO of Trafalgar Tickets.[23]
Trafalgar Theatre Productions edit
Trafalgar Entertainment’s Theatre Productions division deals primarily with producing new shows and musicals in London, UK and internationally. Co-founder Sir Howard Panter is the creative director of this division.[28]
Venues managed by Trafalgar Entertainment edit
| Venue | Location | Start year | Trafalgar Entertainment role | Seated capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trafalgar Theatre | London, UK | 2016 | Trafalgar Entertainment manages and owns the theatre.[29] | 630 |
| Olympia Theatre | London, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment holds a 35-year lease, and the venue is set to reopen in 2025.[30] | 1575 |
| Fareham Live | Hampshire, UK | 2023 | Trafalgar Entertainment will operate the theatre on behalf of Fareham Borough Council.[31] | 1000 |
| Theatre Royal, Sydney | Sydney, Australia | 2020 | Trafalgar Entertainment hold a 55-year sublease.[32] | 1200 |
| The Chiswick Cinema | Chiswick, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment owns and operates the cinema.[33] | 401 |
| Churchill Theatre | Bromley, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre. | 785 |
| New Theatre | Cardiff, Wales | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment manages and owns the theatre. | 1144 |
| Lyceum Theatre | Crewe, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of Cheshire East Council.[34] | 677 |
| Orchard Theatre | Dartford, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of Dartford Borough Council. | 956 |
| The Pavilion | Glasgow, Scotland | 2023 | Trafalgar Entertainment manages and owns the theatre. | 1449 |
| G Live | Guildford, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of Guildford Borough Council. | 1000 |
| Beck Theatre | Hayes, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of the London Borough of Hillingdon Council. | 600 |
| Wycombe Swan | High Wycombe, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of the Wycombe District Council. | 1076 |
| Cliffs Pavilion | Southend on Sea, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. | 1630 |
| The Palace Theatre | Southend on Sea, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. | 603 |
| Swindon Arts Centre | Swindon, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of Swindon Borough Council. | 200 |
| Wyvern Theatre | Swindon, UK | 2021 | Trafalgar Entertainment operates the theatre on behalf of Swindon Borough Council. | 635 |
Media Coverage edit
During the COVID-19 lockdown imposed by the British Government, Trafalgar Entertainment co-founders Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire began a media campaign to help reopen theatres across the UK.[35]
In May 2021, Panter published an article in The Times criticising the British Government for lack of clarity on when theatres and entertainment venues would be able to reopen without restrictions.[36]
edit
The largest shareholder of Trafalgar Entertainment is Barings Alternative Investment, which operates as a subsidiary of MassMutual Holding LLC.[37] Other shareholders include Greg Dyke, James Tanner, NWH Consulting Ltd, Sir Richard Branson and Griffon Corporation.[38]
References edit
- ^ Burn-Callander, Rebecca (2016-05-17). "Theatre's power couple step back from ATG to run Trafalgar Studios". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ "Future of major Glasgow theatre secured as entertainment giant launches takeover". Glasgow Times. 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ a b Inverne, James (7 April 2004). "London's Whitehall Theatre to Be Reborn as Trafalgar Studios". Playbill. from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ Dalton2019-11-19T13:30:00+00:00, Ben. "UK's Trafalgar Releasing acquires event distributor More2Screen (exclusive)". Screen. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Stagecoach Performing Arts Blog | Woking Homecoming for Howard and Rosemary". www.stagecoach.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ "Jonathan Church launches new production company with Trafalgar Entertainment". The Stage. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ "Coronavirus: Trafalgar Studios begins redundancy consultations". The Stage. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ Thomas, Sophie (2020-05-05). "Trafalgar Studios to be converted into single auditorium". London Theatre. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Trafalgar Studios → Foster Wilson Size". Foster Wilson Size. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Trafalgar Entertainment to operate Sydney's Theatre Royal". Limelight. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Jagged Little Pill (2022 Season)". Theatre Royal Sydney. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Theatre news: Trafalgar Entertainment acquires HQ Theatres". British Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ Cavendish, Dominic (2021-03-30). "Meet the power couple saving local theatre from collapse". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "London set for biggest theatre since the National in 1976". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Kensington Olympia: Stage set for London's biggest theatre since 1976". BBC News. 2021-05-14. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Semlyen, Phil de (2021-06-17). "London's eco-friendly new cinema is sexy AF". Time Out London. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Trafalgar Theatre unveils new Art Deco restoration | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Thorpe, Vanessa (2021-06-13). "Historic London theatre to reopen after multimillion-pound restoration". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Writer, Staff (2021-08-17). "HQ Theatre's Acquire Cardiff's New Theatre". Theatre Weekly. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Trafalgar Entertainment buys Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in education expansion plan". The Stage. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Stagedoor. "Stagedoor Gets Acquired by Trafalgar Entertainment | by Stagedoor Editors on Stagedoor". Stagedoor. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Glasgow's Pavilion theatre sold to London company". BBC News. 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ a b c "Glasgow's historic Pavilion Theatre sold to Trafalgar Entertainment for undisclosed sum". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Trafalgar Entertainment acquires pantomime producer Imagine Theatre". 2023-08-07. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ Kilby, Nathalie (2024-03-01). "FT 1000: the eighth annual ranking of Europe's fastest-growing companies". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ Lewis, Genevieve (2022-05-26). "Trafalgar Entertainment announces new ticketing and theatre divisions". TheTicketingBusiness News. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Trafalgar Entertainment cements brand with new operations and ticketing arms". The Stage. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Trafalgar Theatre Productions – Trafalgar Entertainment". Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Theatre's power couple step back from ATG to run Trafalgar Studios".
- ^ "Kensington Olympia: Stage set for London's biggest theatre since 1976". BBC News. 2021-05-14. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "£13 million arts venue Fareham Live will open next year". Southern Daily Echo. Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
- ^ "Meet the power couple saving local theatre from collapse".
- ^ "Lyceum Theatre, Crewe - Trafalgar Theatres". trafalgartheatres.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Boland, Hannah (2021-06-25). "West End is on the brink of collapse, theatre owner warns Boris Johnson". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Panter, Howard (2024-03-11). "Uncertainty risks bringing curtain down on theatre industry". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Market Leader London Theatre Direct Launches #LTD20 Campaign and Major New Brand". www.businesswire.com. 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Husband-and-wife theatre titans stage blockbuster Barings deal". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-03-11.