Glasgow Theatres Set to Make Showbusiness One of the Country's Top Attractions
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The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), operators of the both the King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal in Glasgow, today announced Scotland’s Broadway, a major new initiative to increase visitor numbers to the city.
The theatres will be working in close partnership with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau in launching Scotland’s Broadway.
Scotland’s Broadway begins with a new production of the current multi award-winning smash hit quintessential Broadway musical Guys and Dolls, starring Claire Sweeney and Ben Richards, direct from London’s West End, prior to Broadway, and opening at the King’s Theatre later this year.
Winner of two 2006 Olivier awards, including Outstanding Musical Production, Guys and Dolls has enjoyed unprecedented success during its West End run, with major international stars such as Ewan McGregor and most recently Patrick Swayze in lead roles. The £3m show is the first of many world class productions set to premiere at Glasgow’s two major theatres prior to UK, New York and international tour, making the city the crucible for the very best in musical theatre entertainment in Scotland, increasing domestic and international visitors to the city and helping to raise Glasgow’s profile on the world stage.
A prolific producer with an impressive track record in the theatre industry, ATG makes a significant investment in developing its production pipeline and has already brought hugely popular shows to Glasgow such as The Rocky Horror Show, The New Statesman starring Rik Mayall, Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! and Highland Fling, The Witches, Sweeney Todd starring Jason Donovan and the Olivier award winning Noises Off.
The company hopes to bring around five brand new productions to Glasgow Theatres within the next two years. These would range from world class musicals to the finest opera and star studded drama.
Scotland’s Broadway has been designed to closely complement and support that of the already highly successful Glasgow: Scotland with style. To be officially launched at a glittering Guys and Dolls opening night party in September, the initiative will be backed by a substantial marketing drive carrying the message to both domestic and international markets, including the Ambassador Theatre Group’s four million-strong London and South East customer database.
Glasgow’s two major theatres already attract around 600,000 attendances per year, with just under half of these coming from visitors to the city.
Howard Panter, Managing Director of the Ambassador Theatre Group, said:
“ATG has been running theatres in Glasgow highly successfully for the past four years. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Glasgow: Scotland with style to maximise opportunities afforded through the Scotland’s Broadway concept, which will not only grow audiences for both the King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal but also increase visitors to the city and result in additional local economic benefit.”
Councillor Alex Mosson, Chairman - Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said:
“The quality of Glasgow’s live theatre programme plays a key role in the city’s cultural offer and is an integral element of its Glasgow: Scotland with style credentials.
“We are thrilled to be working in conjunction with The Ambassador Theatre Group on this exciting initiative to showcase the city as Scotland’s Broadway to a worldwide audience.”
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive - Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, added:
“Glasgow has been described by a New York-based style journalist as ‘Think Manhattan with a Scottish accent’ and the launch of Scotland’s Broadway reinforces this claim!”
A bespoke microsite for Scotland’s Broadway can be accessed at: www.seeglasgow.com/guysndolls
ENDS
For further information, contact:
Jo Lennie, Press Officer,
King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 240 1305
Email: jolennie@theambassadors.com
(or)
Moira Dyer, Senior Manager – Public Relations
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0141 566 0831
Email: moira.dyer@seeglasgow.com