David Edelstein, who co-organised of the event with his wife Brenda, comments: "We set out from the National Theatre following a hearty breakfast. In total we rode over 1600 miles and on the way visited 16 fascinating and unique theatres. We've been welcomed by some wonderfully hospitable and generous theatre staff and are hugely grateful for all the brilliant support we received. Sponsorship came from all sectors of the entertainment industry, we certainly couldn't have done it without them."
Those who took to the road were: Rob Barnard, Neil Collins, David Edelstein, Charles Haines, Darrell Hewitt, Chris Higgs, Simon Nicholls, Al Parkinson, Michael Powell, Mike Cucciare and Bill Sapsis from the USA, Jack Tilbury and Sarah Rushton-Read. Iain Gillie, executive producer from The Curve, Mark Cunningham from Audio Bull and Canford Audio's Sales and Marketing Director Dave Holloway joined the ride for various periods along the way. Stephen Pennington, Brenda Edelstein and Karen Nichols, administrator of The Theatrical Guild, accompanied by Robert Hamilton and Scott Miller from Canada, drove the Chase cars.
You can check out what The First Night Riders got up to, look at some fascinating photos of the theatres they visited including the wonderful Victorian stage machinery at The Tyne Theatre and Opera House and Theatre to the latest technology at the Curve, Leicester and still sponsor the riders at the web addresses below.
Visit the First Night Riders stand at PLASA 2010 and discover all the exciting things being planned for next years trip.
(Claire Beeson)
