The Stage

West Cliff hires Derek Grant Organisation for variety summer

Published Tuesday 17 February 2004 at 10:45 by Jeremy Austin

West Cliff Theatre Trust has brought in the Derek Grant Organisation to run the summer season at the Clacton venue, ending its two-year relationship with Openwide International.

Trust chairman Mike Freeman said the new season would have four different types of shows in one week, offering the choice a modern seaside audience needs. He added that he considered the days of one show having one long run during the season to be over. DGO’s contract is for an eight week residency from July 21 to September 11.

Said Freeman: “I believe the last summer show was one of the finest traditional summer entertainments we have ever had at the West Cliff and there will be some who mourn its passing but we are replacing it with a pot pourri. We have the stars and fun of a summer show but with variety - four different shows a week.

“Clacton as a holiday destination is changing enormously and we are forced to change with it. We are going a bit belatedly down the same sort of road that Blackpool has gone down already. From a performer’s point of view, we are giving more work to more people and more exposure to more people.”

He added that whereas in the past most people stayed in bed and breakfast accommodation, they now stay in caravan parks which often provide their own entertainment. West Cliff, he said, has to adapt to that, with productions such as children’s shows as well as shows for coach parties.

Grant and Michael Jones have been presenting professional theatre shows since 1986. For many years they appeared all over the country with their World of Puppets show. They now also operate family shows and traditional variety show productions with star names under the banner of Applause Productions and Pirouette Productions respectively.

Said Jones: “We are delighted to have been asked to present the 2004 season at the West Cliff Theatre. We have enjoyed building a strong relationship with them over several years and now we are looking forward to a really great all-star summer at this popular and much-loved theatre.”