Arklow to get ‘black box’ style theatre venues
ARKLOW Music and Arts Group (AMA) is on the crest of a wave at the moment with the announcement of two ‘Black Box’ style theatre venues in the town.
The venues will be named ‘Asgard Theatre I’ and ‘Asgard Theatre II’ with the latter named after the town’s most famous boat.
A black box theatre consists of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor. It is a relatively recent innovation in theatre.
The creation of new venues in the Harbour Bar and the Midway will enhance not only Arklow’s artistic landscape but also benefit the local economy.
While AMA has not succeeded in its primary objective which was to secure a dedicated theatre and performance arts space the decision to proceed with ‘Black Box’ initiatives will afford AMA the opportunity to create intimate venues hosting regular events.
The group hope to put Arklow back on the map and restore its reputation as a destination for top class entertainment.
Older generations will fondly remember Arklow shining as a beacon of musical light on the national circuit with venues like ‘The Entertainment Centre’ and ‘The Ormonde Hall’ attracting top class entertainment and bringing in essential revenue to the local economy.
AMA is already excited to have attracted the interest of an international act who has expressed an interest in performing in the new theatre when it opens.
Following a recent appeal by the group for a site the group received two generous offers with each site offering something unique to the experience AMA hopes to provide.
A spokesperson for the group thanked Declan Kenny from The Harbour Bar and Noleen Davenport from The Midway, for their generous support and use of their premises for the new venture which will showcase the huge talent and potential in Arklow.
The group will now begin to plan and promote its opening programme of events.
Any local performers or groups who are interested in taking part in the new venture to submit their expression of interest by contacting any committee member or logging onto arklowtheatre.com.