ATG acquires first Australian theatre

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG)

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), the world’s number one live theatre company with over 40 venues in the West End, across the UK and on Broadway, has announced that they have agreed terms with the co-owners of Sydney’s MLC Centre (QIC and The GPT Group (ASX:GPT)) for a lease and the management of the Theatre Royal in Sydney, Australia.

The Theatre Royal, part of the MLC Centre and situated on King Street, is Sydney’s oldest theatrical institution and one of the city’s premier commercial theatre venues.

Situated in the heart of the CBD and with a seating capacity of more than 1100, the theatre will undergo a major refurbishment under management by ATG, providing a significant boost to the Sydney arts and cultural community and guaranteeing a promising future for one of the city’s iconic venues.

The announcement comes as the MLC Centre has made significant progress on the redevelopment of its food court and retail spaces, as part of the co-owners’ broader vision to deliver a vibrant location to shop, socialise and enjoy cultural events.

GPT Chief Investment Officer Carmel Hourigan said that the MLC Centre would benefit greatly from partnering with one of the world’s top live theatre companies:

“The MLC Centre will become home to a new world class theatre, which supports our vision for the precinct as a unique and exciting place, where people gather for both business and leisure. The owners chose to work with ATG because it has a strong track record of delivering premium productions.

“The announcement of a new theatre operator is another important step in the transformation of this asset.”

QIC Director and Investment Management Stuart Miller said that the agreement of terms with ATG would build upon the MLC Centre’s offer and play a big part in changing how people engage with the centre of Sydney:

“The Theatre Royal is an important part of Sydney’s history and its revival, in partnership with ATG, will complement the MLC Centre’s offer, working in harmony with our renewed dining and shopping experience.

ATG, the world’s leading live theatre company founded by Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE, own and operate 40 venues and counting in the West End of London, across the UK and Broadway. They are also an international award winning production company, as well as the world’s market leader in theatre ticketing.

ATG’s Asia Pacific operations are head-quartered in Sydney and they are an active theatre producer in Australia, with recent productions including the award-winning Legally Blonde the Musical; Thriller Live; Guys and Dolls; West Side Story and the recent hit production of The Rocky Horror Show.

ATG founder Sir Howard Panter said that having produced shows in Australia for a number of years, ATG has fallen in love with the MLC Centre and the Theatre Royal and it will be working with the MLC Centre co-owners on a major refurbishment of the theatre to improve its facilities and create a premium experience for theatre patrons.

“We plan to showcase the very best of theatre from Australia and the rest of the world, placing the MLC Centre and the Theatre Royal firmly in the centre of Sydney’s theatrical life,” said Sir Howard Panter.

ATG Asia Pacific CEO Tim McFarlane added: “For ATG this heralds the dawn of its venue management operations in Asia Pacific, a region that will play a major part in our international expansion plan.”

ATG continues active discussions with other Australian venues and developments are under way for additional theatres, as well as, in Korea, Japan, Singapore and China, with new productions also earmarked for these territories.

Liverpool Empire celebrates Earth Hour for third year running

Image Source: Wikipedia

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) is helping to build a brighter future by supporting the WWF’s Earth Hour, a spectacular and symbolic lights out event that focuses the world’s attention on our planet, and the need to protect it.

On Saturday March 28, at 20.30, ATG will be joining forces with thousands of businesses globally as they show their support.

Earth Hour’s unique display of darkness has become a global phenomenon with hundreds of millions of individuals coming together each year.

In 2014, a record-breaking 162 countries and 7,000 towns and cities joined the world’s biggest celebration for our planet.

Last year, in the UK, over 9 million people took part, sending out a united message of support.

Over 200 of the country’s most iconic landmarks, including Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul’s and Wembley Stadium, joined forces with more than 1,000 businesses, such as Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels and the Ambassador Theatre Group, to ensure hundreds of buildings switched off.

To celebrate Earth Hour 2015, ATG will be:

• Switching off all external non-essential lights at its 38 UK venues and its US venue, The Lyric Theatre, in New York, at 20.30 on Saturday March 28 for the hour
• Encouraging its customers and employees to sign up by promoting the event through various regional activities

To celebrate Earth Hour 2015, the Liverpool Empire will be:

• Switching off all external and non-essential lights at 20:30 for one hour.

Immediately  after the curtain has come down on Act 1 of Jesus Christ Superstar there will be a couple of minutes of complete darkness in the auditorium. During this time, audience members will spell out 'Earth' using boards painted with luminous paint. To achieve this, selected audience members will raise a painted board above their head. A photographer and videographer will then capture this moment to commemorate Earth Hour 2015.

Rosemary Squire, ATG’s Joint CEO, commented: “We are proud to take part in Earth Hour, and our employees are excited to be involved with such a great and inspiring event. Everyone can make a difference to help protect our planet and we all have a key role to play.”

Shareen Brown, spokesperson for WWF-UK, added: “We’re thrilled that ATG will be taking part in Earth Hour this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved. By taking one simple step to switch off, you’ll be joining millions of people from around the world in this special celebration.”

Earth Hour is more than an hour: from crowd-funding to campaigns to protect The Great Barrier Reef or The Amazon, Earth Hour is having a real and lasting impact beyond the hour. Last year in the UK, 85% of adults that participated in Earth Hour (NfP Synergy 2014) said that taking part inspired them to do more to protect the planet. It’s a brilliant reminder that together we can make change happen and a chance to think about the small things we can do every day to help create a brighter future.

Anyone can sign up for WWF’s Earth Hour 2015. For more information and to sign up, visit www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour.