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Tivoli looks forward to a bumper 2024 – and beyond
By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk
When you ask someone how their business is going, and you get the response ‘fantastic at the moment’ you know you are going to have an upbeat interview.
Charlie North Lewis, general manager of the Tivoli Theatre was reflecting on the huge success of the Wimborne theatre’s panto season which saw record attendances for Made to Measure’s production of ‘Cinderella’.
“December was a brilliant month as we also had a fantastic evening with rhythm and blues band Nine Below Zero, who are coming back on 1 February next year,” he said.
Live shows are continuing to be well supported, but Charlie said he did have concerns about films.
“There used to be certain films that were really what I would call ‘Wimborne films’ which were sure to do well, but there don’t seem to be so many as there used to be.”
He added that the abundance of films available on streaming networks was having an adverse effect on cinemas across the country.
“Having said that, undoubtedly people still enjoy the whole experience of going to the cinema. It’s a good evening out.”
However, such is the popularity of the theatre for live performances that Charlie is being asked for dates for 2026!
In July this year Charlie will celebrate 22 years at the Art Deco theatre, during which time he has welcomed to the stage such rock icons as Ronnie Wood and the late Charlie Watts.
He does have his favourite performers and said that Francis Rossi from Status Quo and Marty Wilde are some of the nicest people he knows.
“Marty will be back again in December this year and I am hoping we will see Andy Fairweather Low too as he produces one of the best evenings,” said Charlie.
He is also proud that Aled Jones, who is celebrating more than 40 years in the business, is starting his tour at the Tivoli on Wednesday 20 March.
Acts he would like to attract include a return visit from Robert Plant, plus Chris Isaak, Nick Lowe and Stray Cats.
Charlie has high praise for Wimborne Drama Productions who are staging ‘Some Mothers Do ‘Ave Em’ from 21 to 24 February.
“They are all good actors and so professional,” he said.
It is well known that many people choose to live in Wimborne because it has a theatre, but audiences aren’t just comprised of local people, with many travelling from Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Southampton, and on occasions from London.
