Tivoli general manager looks towards a bright 2023

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

The Tivoli in Wimborne has braved the storm of Covid and is now getting back to prepandemic attendance levels.

Reflecting on 2022, general manager Charlie North Lewis said that Wishborne Ash, Tallon and the Counterfeit Stones had full houses at the end of the year, with many people travelling miles to enjoy these top performances.

“It’s not uncommon for people to come from London to see our shows,” he said.

However, he admitted that the theatre was still experiencing a slight Covid impact with Netflix and Amazon Prime taking a share of the films market.

As far as booking acts is concerned, Charlie said he always remembers the words of the late comedian Freddie Starr.

“He said that the number one rule is you don’t book what you like but what will put bums on seats,” Charlie said. “And I always go by that.”

Artists visiting the Tivoli always end their shows by thanking Charlie and the staff and praising the theatre.

“We always taken care of our artist; that’s why they come back again and again,” he said.

“In fact more acts approach us that we have space for.”

Charlie says things have changed since he took over as general manager is 2002.

“Wimborne had the image of being prim and proper, but that’s not so now. It’s interesting that we get full houses for Pam Ayres as well as Al Murray and Jim Davidson.”

And ballet fans will be delighted to hear that Charlie hopes the Ukrainian Ballet will be performing ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the theatre in 2023.

“Everything we put on is a gamble, but I am so pleased that Wimborne is bucking the trend of reduced audiences. We achieve things that other theatres don’t.”

With 2023 marking Charlie’s 21st year as general manager, does he have a prediction for entertainment over the next five years?

“When I came here, there was still nostalgia for Big Band music and 50s and 60s shows, but now it is moving towards the 1970s.

“The same is true for comedy and we need to stage comedians that appeal to younger people.”

Charlie is very appreciative of the volunteers and although they lost some post Covid, they have now attracted a lot of new ones.

“They are very loyal and it’s like a little community,” he said.

And who is Charlie hoping will return to the Tivoli this year?

“Ronnie Wood went down a storm with the Ben Waters Band, so it would be good to see him return,” he said.