SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE LAUNCHES MAJOR
EUROPEAN OFFICE IN MADRID CREATING
OPENING WITH THE TRANSFER OF FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL
TO THE APOLLO THEATRE, MADRID
Leading UK and international theatre producer, Selladoor Worldwide, launches a new production office in Europe. This new branch of the company, Selladoor Spain, based in Madrid, will expand Selladoor’s international reach and build Spanish language productions for Spain and the wider South American marketplace.
With offices already operating in the UK, Asia and the USA, Selladoor expands its international reach into one of Europe’s major markets with the appointment of JC Storm as Managing Director of the Selladoor Spain office.
This department will be the main continental Europe hub for the company, and launches with a transfer of Flashdance The Musical and a major sit-down run at the Apollo Theatre, Madrid – a natural progression with Madrid being fourth most successful city worldwide for musicals, after New York, London and Hamburg. The production premieres on 23 January 2020, and follows a sold out 8 week run in Barcelona earlier this year.
The full team based at Selladoor Spain comprises of JC Storm (Managing Director/Producer),Guillermo González (Musical Director), Edward Luis Alba (Financing Director), Antonio Blázquez(Stage Manager), Alberto Palanques (Technical Director), Daniel Labrado (Senior Producer’s Assistant), Mónica Martín (Secretary/Accountant) and Valentín Pereiro (Marketing).
This expansion to Spain and South America will enable Selladoor to reach a wider audience and collaborate with original and cutting-edge talent and creatives on a wider scale. Selladoor has identified a massive opportunity in the South American marketplace, and endeavor to be one of the first producers actively developing long-term theatre links in the region.
Selladoor, this year alone, has presented numerous productions across Europe including major productions in Berlin, Zurich, Barcelona and Ostend, with further plans to route work into Europe for the foreseeable future. Selladoor sees the advantage of having a mainland European hub and despite to looming uncertainty around Brexit, they are keen to foster and maintain strong ties with the continent.
David Hutchinson, Selladoor Worldwide CEO says, “We’ve been exploring a long term presence in the Spanish market for nearly a year. Following a near sell-out run of Flashdance for an 8 week run in and sit-down transfer to Madrid – the inter-office relationship has been well formed where work coming out of the UK is being routed into Spanish speaking territories, and we are exploring work coming out of Spain and routing into the major markets the company already works in. I’m delighted than JC will be leading our Spanish office with a stellar team of talented individuals. We’ve got some big plans – and indeed have our sights on further afield in some of the really exciting emerging markets in South America.”
JC Storm, Selladoor Spain Managing Director says, “I believe this is the right time to bring more theatre to Spain, and it fits perfectly with the plans for Selladoor’s expansion. The Spanish theatre industry is now a huge, booming market, where musicals have been entertaining and delighting people across the country, and adds to Madrid’s already big national and international tourism appeal. I predict this venture will be a huge success, and I’m thrilled to be part of such an ambitious project. I am very honored to have David Hutchinson and Phillip Rowntree’s trust to head up the brand of Selladoor Worldwide in Spain.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Selladoor Worldwide
Selladoor Worldwide began its life as Sell a Door Theatre Company in 2009, developing rapidly under co-founders David Hutchinson (CEO) and Phillip Rowntree (CFO) into an integral player in the UK and Ireland’s regional theatre landscape. The company has since established itself as a leading producer of mid- and large-scale touring theatre, with an ever-increasing international presence.
From the very outset, Selladoor Worldwide’s aim has been to make accessible work for our audiences, and their experience is at the heart of the company’s artistic planning. Our objective is to continue to encourage the next generation of theatregoers, primarily young adult audiences, and first-time attendees. Our education programmes and online presence endeavour to provide the most comprehensive experience of our productions possible.
Our origins lie in re-imagined classics and new commissions, which we continue to champion to this day. We are able to create a varied and distinctive programme; large-scale commercial touring is complimented by the company’s not-for-profit roots and ongoing investment and development of new work. As a company operating across a range of scales we continue to deliver and invest in our regional and international patron base, as well as our product.
In 2017-18 Selladoor Worldwide’s slate of productions included: Big Fish The Musical (The Other Palace, London); The Crucible (UK Tour); Fame The Musical (30th Anniversary Tour); Flashdance The Musical (UK & International Tours); Footloose The Musical (2nd UK Tour); Kindertransport (25thAnniversary Tour); Guess How Much I Love You (UK & International Tours); Jersey Boys (International Tour); Madagascar The Musical (UK Tour); Of Mice and Men (UK Tour); The Producers (International Tour); Rock of Ages (UK Tour); Spamalot (UK Tour); The Very Hungry Caterpillar (DR2 Theatre, New York City); The Wizard of Oz (Winter Gardens, Blackpool).
2019 will see the return of Flashdance The Musical to Asia following a commercially and critically successful engagement in South Korea. Both Fame and Madagascar The Musical continue their popular UK tours, with the former due to land in the West End for a strictly limited 6-week engagement at the Peacock Theatre in September, and the latter touring extensively in international markets. American Idiot has been revived for a 10th Anniversary Tour, and Avenue Q has embarked on its 3rd UK Tour. Presenting in the UK will also be the first West End production of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, as well as European premieres of Amelie and Little Miss Sunshine, both award-winning musicals based on cult classic films. Finally, Selladoor Family will launch new stage adaptations of two beloved children’s properties for UK touring: Elmer The Patchwork Elephant Show and The Mr. Men & Little Miss Show. Selladoor are thrilled with the variety of work in production, and remain committed to creating daring, diverse and dynamic productions that are accessible to all.
Selladoor Worldwide now have offices in Bangkok, New York and Shanghai in addition to our headquarters in London, as we continue to produce and tour theatre worldwide. In 2018 Selladoor Creation was launched, which is a brand new platform for new writers to showcase and develop their work with the backing of one of the UK’s leading theatre producers, and bring innovative new work to the national and international stage, making it accessible for all audiences.
2019 brings another exciting venture to the Selladoor Worldwide group, with the announcement of Selladoor Venues. Selladoor Venues are the current operators for the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple and The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe.