The Countdown Begins
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The Countdown Begins… As Fareham Live Announces Official Launch Date With British Comedy Royalty!
The countdown is on for Fareham Live, as Hampshire’s eagerly anticipated new venue gears up for its grand opening. With three weeks left to go, the 800-seat theatre has announced that it will open its doors on September 28th with its premiere show ‘The Prat Pack’. For one night only and direct from the London Palladium sold out show, stage and screen star and national treasure, Bradley Walsh will host an extravaganza of live entertainment and music. Joined by Brian Conley, Shane Richie and Joe Pasquale, this is a celebration of their decades long friendship with an evening of spectacular musical performances and hilarious comedy moments. With a fifteen piece orchestra, join Bradley and friends for a once in a lifetime experience - with tickets selling fast! As Fareham Live prepares for its glittering debut, preparations behind the scenes are picking up pace. The theatre has officially been handed over to Trafalgar Theatres - the theatre division of global live entertainment company Trafalgar Entertainment - from Fareham Borough Council, who have worked closely with the theatre management company since summer last year following a detailed procurement process where Trafalgar Theatres was selected as the Operator for Fareham Live. With the finishing touches being applied, theatre lovers will be thrilled to discover that the venue has been transformed into a state-of-the-art modern arts and entertainment haven, equipped with the latest cutting-edge stage and backstage areas. Boasting a stunning main auditorium and two versatile studio spaces, Fareham Live will also have a new café and bar area, which has been furnished with sustainable and recyclable materials from Vitra. “Everything is in and ready for opening; it’s all the triple checks taking place now,” said Emily O’Dell, Group Head of Projects for Trafalgar Theatres. “It’s a really modern open space that we think Fareham will be really proud of for many years to come. I encourage you all to come and have a look when we open.” Gavin Shuman, Venue Director at Fareham Live, added: “Accessibility has been a key priority in the design of the venue. It was ensured that all areas are fully accessible so that everyone can enjoy our performances and facilities. This project has also provided a significant boost to the local economy by employing a fully local workforce throughout the construction and final preparations. We’re incredibly excited to showcase this new venue—it truly is beautiful.” Following The Prat Pack, Fareham Live will host The Rocky Horror Show, starring Australian soapstar legend Jason Donovan playing the iconic Dr Frank’n’Furter. The season also includes The Merchant of Venice 1936 with Tracy-Ann Oberman, a variety of children’s shows such as The Tiger Who Came to Tea, big name comedy acts including Jimmy Carr and Adam Kay, and world- leading tribute artists such as The Illegal Eagles, The ELO Show, and Think Floyd. Christmas will top out with a magical family panto, Cinderella, starring dancing duo AJ & Curtis Pritchard. Executive Member for Leisure and Community, Councillor Connie Hockley said: “Fareham’s new theatre is more than just a performance space; it’s a vibrant and inclusive hub for the whole community. With just three weeks until the grand opening, the excitement is really building. We can’t wait to begin this new chapter in Fareham’s cultural life and encourage everyone to join us in experiencing all that this fantastic new venue has to offer.”