The Ambassador Theatre Group: Press: Press Releases
Press Releases
Issued : 10 June 2002
The Ambassadors Woking, which includes the New Victoria Theatre and The Ambassadors Cinemas, is proud to celebrate 10 years of quality entertainment this June.
The Ambassadors has been a massive success story, not only for Woking and Surrey, but also for the UK theatre industry. Over the past 10 years, 8 million people have been to see over 600 separate productions at the theatre and 2,700 films at the cinema.
The New Victoria Theatre is one of the most successful touring venues in the UK, with audiences averaging nearly 80% capacity. Costing £20 million, the complex was opened in 1992 by the late Sir Nigel Hawthorne. It boasts one of the largest and deepest stages in the area, remaining an ideal venue to host and experience large-scale musicals. Grease, Blood Brothers, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fame and The Rocky Horror Show have all enjoyed sell-out performances and have returned on numerous occasions due to phenomenal public demand. The New Victoria Theatre has also been proud to stage some of the country's most spectacular and successful pantomimes and for three years in a row, Box Office sales have topped a staggering £1 million for these shows. The theatre continues to attract a host of international stars who have graced the stage, including David Soul, Leslie Nielson, Edward Fox, Clive Owen, Prunella Scales, Lee Evans and David Essex (not to mention a number of stars in the audience including Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton and more recently, Ant & Dec).
he Ambassadors Cinemas also continues to enjoy outstanding success. Originally built as a 3-screen complex, 3 further screens were added in 1997. Two months ago, the Cinema broke its own Box Office record, when 25,000 people came through the doors in just one week.
The success has spread much further than Surrey. The Ambassadors in Woking is part of The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) which was also founded in 1992. ATG has grown from just one theatre in the West End - the Duke of York's - and one in the regions - The Ambassadors Woking - to become the UK's second largest theatre-owning and operating company in the West End and also in the regions, with a total of 19 venues under its management, including 10 in the West End.
Rosemary Squire, Executive Director and co-founder, ATG
We are all delighted at the immense success of The Ambassadors in Woking. We believe the key to that success has been down to offering the highest quality and variety of shows with something for everyone. Millions of people have enjoyed the shows and films we've brought to The Ambassadors and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their continued support and loyalty - our success is down to them. Our vision for the future is to continue to provide the best quality productions with first class customer care, in a venue we regard to be the entertainment capital for Surrey.
On Tuesday 11th June, at the opening night of Carmen, the New Victoria Theatre is holding a special VIP Night to thank those who have supported The Ambassadors over the past 10 years. Later in the year, other celebrations include a Celebrity Night for The Rocky Horror Show.