‘Chicago’ breaks box office records

Aberystwyth Arts Centre has had its most successful summer show in its history, with its professional production of ‘Chicago’ breaking box office records. By the end of the 44 performance run an impressive 10,176 people had seen the show.

For the last 30 years the Arts Centre has produced its own summer show, generally a well-known musical, an event that provides enjoyment for both our local audience and tourists. Over the years the productions have grown in size and scope, and now are of a quality that is far beyond the original ambitions. The 2010 production was ‘Chicago – The Musical’, directed by Anthony Williams, which ran for 44 performances over 5 weeks from 23 July to 28 August. With a cast of sixteen professional actors and dancers, a live band and a stunning purpose-designed set this ambitious production provided a quality comparable with top London shows. A show of this nature is a major endeavour for any organisation but the Arts Centre’s ambition and confidence in the show reaped its rewards, with ticket income exceeding £170,000, nearly £30,000 higher than the previous record breaking 2009 production of The King & I.

Although commercial success is vital in a production of this size, Chicago has also been a resounding artistic success, with fantastic reviews:

This is a production which has real pizzazz. With great choreography it is coruscating musical theatre. The Stage

A jaw dropping theatrical experience. The band was terrific and the standing ovation undeniably deserved. Western Mail

A production that has real class. It's as fine a Chicago as you could ever hope to see. Theatre in Wales

As a consistent quality producing venue it stands alongside the Watermill and the Menier Chocolate Factory. Theatre in Wales

In recent years the Arts Centre has worked hard to grow their summer production in scale and scope and has benefitted strongly from the support of the Arts Council of Wales ‘Arts Outside Cardiff’ funding to develop quality of the productions and to enhance the audience experience. Word of the impressive nature of the productions is spreading around the UK, and as part of a new development, the Arts Centre is planning a revival of its 2006 summer production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, directed by Michael Bogdanov, for a major tour of No1 venues in the UK in 2011.

Traditionally for many arts organisations the summer months are quieter times - the majority of theatres go ‘dark’ for maintenance work, and programmes of activity are reduced as preparation is made for the busier autumn season. Not at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. For many years the Arts Centre, a department of Aberystwyth University, has seen the summer months as an opportunity to provide a wide-ranging and ambitious artistic programme. This programme not only enhances the provision for regular customers, but reaches out to new audiences by providing specific events that draw visitors to the area and for those who are here on holiday, and it has now become an important element in the tourist economy of the region. During the summer of 2010 the Arts Centre offered a programme in just one month that many other organisations would find hard to match in a whole year.

As well as the success of ‘Chicago’ this summer also saw higher than average attendances at Musicfest, the Arts Centre’s International Music Festival and Summer School. Again, this event is now in its third decade and continues to offer an amazing array of performances from leading musicians during its week long run. The festival ran at the end of July and within one week there were 24 concerts, 6 open masterclasses, 15 free events and 5 showcase concerts from the Summer School participants. The Musicfest Summer School this year welcomed 115 students from around the world for a week of intensive study with the Musicfest musicians, and on courses for wind and string players, composers, conductors and harp, amongst others.

Despite the weather doing its best to stop play, two outdoor events took place in August. Firstly the amazing ‘Colourscape’ structure, which enables visitors to ‘walk through colour’ was open on the field next to the Centre for three days and attracted over 550 visitors. Then on the 27th August Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre first visit to the Arts Centre attracted 370 people to their production of The Comedy of Errors which was also performed on the Arts Centre field.

All this combines to ensure that the Arts Centre remains a thriving and forward-looking organisation. The summer months remain an important part of our year round programme of work and activity of the highest standards, to develop new opportunities to excite, enthral, entertain, and inspire our audiences, and to showcase to visitors the excellence of the arts sector in Wales.

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