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Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

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The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) is set to manage the new Aylesbury Waterside Theatre which is being built by Aylesbury Vale District Council. The theatre is due to open in 2010.

ATG was appointed by the district council earlier in the year as the management contractor.

ATG is the second largest theatre operator in the UK and manages a total of 23 venues, including the nearby Milton Keynes Theatre. It is also one of the country’s foremost theatre producers and has been behind some of the most successful and innovative productions in Britain and abroad.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said of the appointment: “We are excited and pleased to have selected one of our preferred operators to manage the new theatre. Members were very impressed with the ATG proposals and the depth of their experience and professionalism. We look forward to working in partnership with them to fully realise the potential of what will be a fantastic venue for the people of Aylesbury Vale.” 

Rosemary Squire, Co-founder and Joint CEO of The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd, said: “We are delighted that Aylesbury Vale District Council is set to award ATG the management contract for The Waterside Theatre. Exciting times lie ahead and ATG intends to offer a rich and varied theatre programme in this fantastic state-of-the-art venue. We invite the people of Aylesbury to work with us to make this wonderful facility a success. Today's announcement underlines ATG's commitment to expansion in the UK as well as overseas and strengthens our position in the industry.”

Around 300,000 people from across Aylesbury Vale and beyond are expected to visit the new theatre each year to enjoy a dynamic and diverse programme of live performances. The programme will be an exciting mix of West End shows, comedy, dance, concerts, gigs, pantomime, as well as international opera and ballet.

The concept for the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was developed by AVDC and internationally-renowned theatre designers, RHWL Arts Team. The venue will have a 1,200-seat auditorium that converts into a 1,800-capacity hall for standing events, and a 225-seat suite for smaller events including dance, drama, meetings and conferences.

Building work started in 2007 and is on course to be finished  in 2010. The main construction work is being undertaken by Willmott Dixon.

In April 2009, Lynda Bellingham, popular west end actress and now starring in Strictly Come Dancing, supported the Cllr Netta Glover, the Chairman of AVDC in the topping out service of the theatre alongside.  Lynda was born and raised in Aylesbury and is looking forward to returning to the theatre as a performer.  

The theatre enjoys a wonderful location adjacent to one of the town’s greatest assets – the canal. The canal basin itself is to be redeveloped and opened up to restaurants and homes. A new public green space will provide an attractive interface between the theatre and a new canalside Waitrose store and hotel. A statue of Ronnie Barker, who began his theatrical career in  Aylesbury will complete the redevelopment of this wonderful space on the southern side of Exchange Street.

The theatre and redevelopment of the canal area, is part of a broader plan to regenerate Aylesbury – the county town of Buckingamshire. Plans are in place to deliver 265,000 sq ft of new shopping which will see up to 35 new shops in the town including Debenhams.

Over the past two or three years, Aylesbury has become a major focus for investment in new facilities and services to reflect its status a growth area. 27,500 new homes are planned between now and 2026 together with 21,500 new jobs.