Concession Contract- Provision of Pantomime and Non- pantomime shows Compass & Winston Churchill Theatres 2023-2025

Hillingdon runs 3 “in-house” theatres:

• Compass Theatre in Ickenham
• Winston Churchill Theatre in Ruislip
• Open Air Theatre, Barra Hall Park in Hayes

The theatres provide hireable spaces for community theatre, functions and drama activity, supporting the productions with technicians, front of house and box office services as well as a website at www.hillingdontheatres.uk ↗.

Since 2010, the Compass Theatre has staged an annual pantomime, to a professional standard. We have also a co-produced an Easter Holiday professional show since 2014.

Requirements

• (mandatory) the provision of a professional-standard pantomime (titles to be agreed at the Compass Theatre from December 2023 for 3 years, up to for a minimum number of performances specified by the Council.
• (mandatory) the provision, (if requested by the Council), of a mid-year show (e.g., Easter) at Compass Theatre each year from 2023-2026 with an option to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance for 2027 and 2028.
• (optional) a non-pantomime Christmas show in the other venues, based on a business plan that will not jeopardise the continuation of pantomime through self-competition with an option to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance for 2027 and 2028.
• (mandatory) the provision, mainly via subcontracting, of additional theatre/entertainment events at venues and times specified by the council (including for outdoor events), according to the Council’s requirements. These to include:
• ○ children’s shows
• ○ outdoor theatre
• ○ opera
• ○ workshops for young people