User:Benblackwell/Aylesbury waterside theatre

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is a new £42million theatre in Aylesbury, England, United Kingdom presenting a range of West End and touring musicals and plays, along with performances of opera and ballet and a Christmas pantomime.

History
In 2003, Aylesbury Vale District Council held a public consultation into plans for a new theatre to be built to replace the current Civic Centre Theatre. Norman Bragg for London based architects RHWL Arts Team was commissioned in 2007 to undertake detailed design work with a ceremony to mark the commencement of building work held on 24 May of that year with Councillor Sue Polhill, Chairman of Aylesbury Vale District Council cutting a sod from the earth. The building work was carried out by Hertfordshire based Willmott Dixon.

On 18 February 2009 Ambassador Theatre Group was announced as the preferred management contractor for the new venue with Joint Chief Executive's Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire, OBE signing a 6 year management contract in January 2010.

Aylesbury born actress Lynda Bellingham marked the completion of the highest part of the building work on 24 April 2009 with a traditional topping out ceremony.

In a joint press release on 23 February 2010, Ambassador Theatre Group and Aylesbury Vale District Council announced that the theatre would open on 12 October 2010. The first season went on sale on 23 March 2010 with Northern Ballet's Swan Lake set to be the first performance.

Grand Opening
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was officially opened on 12 October 2010 by Cilla Black. The launch was marked with an open air live event hosted by Jonathan Wilkes and Suzanne Shaw. Guests included David Suchet, Simon Callow, Ruby Wax, Susan Hampshire and Richard O'Brien. Monty Python star and Spamalot writer Eric Idle sent a pre-recorded message to mark the occasion.