A theatre operator with sites in London and Sydney has signed a deal to run entertainment venues in Eastbourne.
The partnership deal with Eastbourne Borough Council will involve the Congress Theatre, pictured above (1,689 seats), Devonshire Park Theatre (873 seats), Winter Garden (1000+ Seats) as well as conferencing and exhibition facilities.
Trafalgar Theatres – the venues division of global live entertainment company Trafalgar Entertainment – will operate the Devonshire Quarter complex, the council announced in a press release.
The Congress Theatre and Devonshire Park Theatre join the other Trafalgar venues including Trafalgar Theatre and Olympia Theatre in London, and the Theatre Royal Sydney in Australia.
Trafalgar’s portfolio also encompasses many regional theatres including Southend Cliffs Pavilion, New Theatre Cardiff, Fareham Live, G Live Guildford, Wycombe Swan, and the Pavilion Theatre Glasgow.
Trafalgar Entertainment was founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017. Before that, they founded the Ambassador Theatre Group, which they ran for 25 years.
Recent Trafalgar productions include Kiss Me, Kate, starring Adrian Dunbar at the Barbican Theatre, and The Duchess, starring Jodie Whittaker.
Sir Howard said: “We’re delighted to be working with Eastbourne Borough Council. Together, the Devonshire Quarter venues form an entertainment epicentre on the East Sussex coast.
“We are immensely proud of our work in regional venues, including recently bringing our world-class productions of The King and I and The Rocky Horror Show to Eastbourne, and passionately believe that local audiences outside London deserve the very best.
“Through Trafalgar’s unique model, Eastbourne audiences are assured that the best shows and events will be brought to Eastbourne alongside major new productions premiering here. Under our operation, local businesses across the wider area will continue to reap the economic benefits that a thriving theatre complex brings.
“Our team is looking forward to working with new colleagues in Eastbourne to develop and enhance the operation. During challenging financial times for councils up and down the country – we congratulate Eastbourne Borough Council for their foresight in selecting Trafalgar as its partner to protect these wonderful venues for the future.”
Council leader Stephen Holt, above, said: “Trafalgar Entertainment boasts a superb track record and to have Sir Howard and Dame Rosemary, both highly respected leaders in the industry, overseeing the future of the Congress Theatre, Devonshire Park Theatre and Winter Garden is hugely exciting.”
Trafalgar Entertainment is also involved in live broadcasting and film streaming in cinemas and on television, including Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and David Tennant’s Macbeth, and performing arts education through Stagecoach Performing Arts and Drama Kids.
Each year, Trafalgar’s work across its regional theatres has engaged more than 50,000 people through youth theatre activities, workshops and masterclasses, and groups for adults.
The council’s Conservative opposition group leader, Councillor Robert Smart, said: “Whilst we fully welcome Trafalgar Entertainment’s interest in Eastbourne’s theatre complex where they could bring much-needed expertise, Eastbourne residents deserve complete transparency about how this deal will allow the council to pay back the over £60 million borrowed for the recent redevelopment carried out at the Devonshire Quarter complex.
“The administration has been remarkably silent on the financial details of this arrangement and how they intend to protect Eastbourne taxpayer’s long-term interests. The council must demonstrate that this deal safeguards both our cultural assets and our financial future.”
The passing of the running of Eastbourne Theatres, on the cards for some time, to Trafalgar Entertainment will be interesting. Both in terms of how they will be run and the effect on programming. There could be a profound shift in culture from a local government ethos to a more commercial one.