The Week in Light & Sound
- Details
She wrote: "For those asking for an update on our plans later this year, we have put an application in for a licence for a concert at the farm in September (around the time we'd usually do Pilton Party). Of course, we've no idea yet whether we'll able to do that, but we wanted to get the application in to be in with a chance. Unlikely we'll have any news for a couple of months - but will let you know right here when we do."
On The Strip - Former West End strip club the Windmill is in line to reopen as a theatre with a 250-seat auditorium featuring the “biggest names in entertainment”. A licensing application is currently being considered by Westminster City Council. The venue lost its sexual entertainment licence in January 2018 and has since been purchased by Immerse London, which has spent £7m restoring the building.
If the conditions are approved, the venue will accommodate up to 250 in the main theatre auditorium and refurbished Royal Box and Palais De Luxe Mezzanine Floor, with performances throughout the afternoon and night. Additionally, there will be a theatre lounge called Hendersons located in the basement of the building, which will accommodate up to 100 people - including those who have finished watching a show in the main theatre.
According to a presentation included with the licensing application, the Windmill plans to "host the biggest names in entertainment and [provide a] platform for the next generation of rising stars".
Trafalgar - Jersey Boys will reopen the refurbished Trafalgar Theatre in July. It will begin performances on 28 July and is booking until next January. The new Trafalgar Theatre, formerly Trafalgar Studios, will see the venue convert its two performance spaces into a single 630-seat auditorium. The venue currently consists of a main space with 380 seats and a second 100-capacity studio space, which will cease to exist following the renovation.
From The Vaults - Vault Festival is to become part of a year-round offering of cultural events, following major organisational changes announced in the lead up to its reopening in January 2022. The festival will now be run by a not-for-profit organisation called Vault Creative Arts, which will deliver cultural activities all year, with Vault Festival as its flagship event.
Founder of Vault Festival Mat Burtcher will be stepping down from his role, while co-founder Andy George will continue in his role as director. Adam Gray has been announced as the first executive director of Vault Creative Arts, joining from the Bernie Grant Arts Centre where he was executive director. Bec Martin has been appointed head of programming, joining the team on a permanent basis having previously held the freelance position of head of theatre for Vault Festival.
In The Money - Kanye West has become the richest black man in US history, with his net worth reported to have reached $6.6bn (£4.7bn). The new total has been reported by Bloomberg and gives West a commanding lead over the likes of investor and businessman Robert F Smith and basketball legend Michael Jordan. After claiming he was $53m (£38m) in debt just three years ago, the rapper and fashion tycoon became a certified billionaire last year with the help of his successful apparel and trainer brand, Yeezy, and a new multi-year contract with clothing retailer Gap.
(Jim Evans)
23 March 2021
