SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE WINS TENDER TO RUN
QUEENS THEATRE BARNSTAPLE &
THE LANDMARK THEATRE ILFRACOMBE FROM JANUARY 2019 SIGNALLING THE LAUNCH OF ‘SELLADOOR VENUES’
SIR IAN MCKELLEN WILL OPEN THE LANDMARK ON 25 MARCH AHEAD OF HIS ONE MAN SHOW RUNNING AT THE VENUE
AND SELLADOOR ANNOUNCE
KEY NEW MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS
Selladoor Worldwide, against stiff competition, have won the tender to run the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple and The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe from January 2019 for a minimum of ten years. This is further expansion of the company’s move into venue, which includes the partnership with the Blackpool Entertainment Company, to bring creative life to the historical Pavilion Theatre, Blackpool.
David Hutchinson, CEO Selladoor Worldwide said, “At the heart of Selladoor has always been making diverse, dynamic and daring theatre. We’re delighted to be bringing our mission to create, support, platform and promote quality theatre and artists to our North Devon theatres”
Phillip Rowntree, CFO Selladoor Worldwide said, “Over the last ten years of producing in theatres of all scales and sizes, in the UK and around the world, Selladoor has always been acutely aware of the importance of local theatres in the regional landscape. We could not be more humbled by the trust vested in us by the Council and people of North Devon, nor could we be more excited by this thrilling new chapter in Selladoor’s life. We cannot wait to begin delivering our vision for the theatres to the communities in Ilfracombe and Barnstaple.”
Mark Kentell, Contracts Delivery Manager at North Devon Council said, “Selladoor are an exciting, dynamic theatre company with fresh ideas and a firm commitment to making both of our theatres successes in their own right. We can look forward to thriving theatres in both Ilfracombe and Barnstaple with shows produced at the Landmark touring internationally. Selladoor are everything I’d hoped for in a theatre operator and I’m so pleased to welcome them to North Devon.”
The grand opening of The Landmark, having been under used for a number of years, will be on 25 March 2019 when Ian McKellen will open the theatre with his one man show. The Ballot for tickets is open from today on www.landmark-ilfracombe.com
Sir Ian McKellen said, “My current UK tour with my new solo show is visiting many places I know well but this is my first time playing in Ilfracombe. It’s a happy opportunity to celebrate my 80th birthday by relaunching this well loved local theatre.”
The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe
There will be a focus on growing the theatre as a launch pad for high quality drama and family work. Selladoor Worldwide are looking to build The Landmark into a building with a real focus on family work and engaging young audiences for their first experience at the theatre. The venue, in its picturesque location, and its second space, the Pavilion – lends itself well to other non-typical theatre programming to make the theatre a national destination for youth arts. With this diverse programming, Selladoor Family will be looking to workshop and develop new family work at the venue. They’ll also debut work before national and international touring, evolving The Landmark into a hub for developing creative talent, with a specialism for young audiences.
Queens Theatre, Barnstaple
With just shy of 700 seats – the Queens has a history of attracting high profile names and showcasing local talent. We are looking to grow the programme and attract leading touring dramas and musicals – as the top destination for larger scale work in North Devon. The Queens will also house our annual pantomime – and develop links with leading touring and producing hubs to co-partner on presenting high quality work.