THE FINAL performances at the Citadel Theatre will take place this week, until a new tenant is found for the venue.
After signing a five-year lease with the Citadel in December 2020, it was announced last week that MD Creatives would be leaving the premises.
After lingering challenges from the pandemic and the rising cost of living difficulties, MD creative director Miguel Doforo said it had become increasingly unsustainable to run the commercial side of the business along with their creative arts programmes.
READ > The Citadel cancels upcoming shows as MD Creatives vacate premises
With MD vacating the premises of the 160-year-old building, this meant that all the performances they had planned for the rest of the year had been cancelled.
However, after desperately working out the logistics with Citadel landlord Ian Pitts, the promoters for the Bootcamp comedy and the Freddie & Queen Experience have ensured that their shows will go ahead.
Described as a "laugh out loud" comedy, Bootcamp is a local production that looks into characters in work and social settings - noting that you should "never judge a book by its cover".
The Freddie & Queen Experience are known as the UK's "premier live Queen tribute band", bringing all of their greatest hits with energy and authenticity.
After travelling around the world to perform their energetic show, they arrive in St Helens to play the final planned show at the Citadel this year.
Offering two-for-one tickets, promoter Liam Cronin said: “We’ve worked tirelessly over the weekend to make sure this show can go ahead.
"Luckily, we’ve worked with Ian Pitts, who has worked with us to ensure that the community can experience the show.
"We pride ourselves on giving people affordable experiences, that’s why we launched the ticket offer.”
Although the Citadel Theatre is not closing down, it is now up to another tenant to keep St Helens' live scene alive after MD Creatives ended their contract.
The landlord of the Citadel, Ian Pitts, added: "As you aware, I love the Citadel and have many happy memories at the venue.
"It’s an important part of St Helens' history and a crucial part to the town centre regeneration.
"[However] the venue can only work if people support the gigs [and] I am hoping that we are able to honour all of the bookings that was made with the previous tenant.
"Independents are finding it hard everywhere at the moment and need as support as much as possible."
Miguel Doforo confirmed that MD Creatives are working through refunding any ticket that was bought for the upcoming shows at the Citadel, as well as paying back promoters.
Some shows that had been planned to move have been moved to other venues, such as 'An Evening with Everton Legends' to the Mercure Hotel and '39 Steps' at Lucem House.
Bootcamp will take place at the Citadel Theatre on Thursday, September 8 and Friday, September 9, while The Freddie & Queen Experience will take place on Saturday, September 10.
To buy the final remaining tickets, visit this link.
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