Last week was a fantastic week for the team that run the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne.
On Monday afternoon they found out that Miranda Hart was confirmed to be bringing her “Work in Progress” show to the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, ahead of her full National UK Tour in 2014 with the performance scheduled for Friday 29th November.
An announcement was made at 4.00pm via social media that tickets would go on sale in person and on the phone at 9.00am the very next morning. In just under 3 hours all tickets had been sold.
Then, later in the week, the phone rang and the team found out that their volunteer ushers and the Friends of the Royal Hippodrome Theatre have been shortlisted in the Arts category of BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, “Community Heroes Awards 2013”.
RHT Management had nominated their team of volunteers, who are over 30 strong in number, and the RHT Friends in the “supporting the arts” category. The Friends, who were established in 1992, have, for years, fought hard to ensure that the theatre was protected against alternative development and played a major part in getting the building its Grade II listed status.
In April 2013 RHT Management were given a licence to run theatre. As part of their business model the use of volunteers for Front of House duties was essential and, without them, they just would not have been able to function.
To celebrate this and in line with the aim of creating a Community Interest Company for the future running of the theatre they have arranged for 20 free pairs of tickets to be made available to Eastbourne volunteer groups and charities to attend the Gala Performance of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on Thursday 19th December at 7.45pm.
The purpose is to engage with other community groups in Eastbourne and make more people aware, through that network, of the marvellous work going on at Eastbourne’s oldest theatre. Special group rates are also available for all performances of “White Christmas”.
To apply for these tickets, or to find out more about group discounts, e-mail enquiries@royalhippodrome.com