Press release: Brixham-based theatre company Secures U.S. Streaming Deal as ticket sales plunge from water parasite outbreak

Press Release


Brixham-based theatre company Secures U.S. Streaming Deal as ticket sales plunge from water parasite outbreak



Issued May 22nd 2024
Members of the press and media are cordially invited to get in contact for any additional information, or to be invited to rehearsals and see behind the scenes of our work. [email protected]

For Immediate Release:

Brixham-based South Devon Players Theatre & Film Company signs US TV streaming deal, but hometown ticket sales for A Midsummer Night's Dream collapse due to water crisis, threatening survival of the theatre company.



The South Devon Players, a not-for-profit theatre company based in Brixham, UK, are thrilled to announce that after months of discussion have resulted in ongoing streaming TV deal in the USA
The MTS Network, based in Arlington, Texas, USA, is a growing network for independent filmed content, and following a chance meeting on an online networking forum; and the Players supplying sample clips of of past theatre shows filmed at Brixham Theatre, the MTS Network are now streaming the Players' 2023 production of William Shakespeare's Macbeth filmed at Brixham Theatre, for 12 months, and will be also hosting streams of future productions by the South Devon Players, all filmed at Brixham Theatre.



The South Devon Players launch their next tour, of Shakspeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, in Brixham in June 2024, before touring across Devon - and up to the Midlands and a new theatre in Birmingham.
As always, the tours begin in the Players' hometown, at Brixham Theatre, with A Midsummer Night's Dream on June 7th and 8th, where audiences can always be assured of a friendly warm welcome from the theatre staff as well as the theatre company team, and are guaranteed of a lively, family-friendly show suitable for all ages, of William Shakespeare's famous romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. performed by 20 professional local actors and stage crew, with the full original text.
The comedy follows two pairs of lovers from Athens, who find themselves in a magical forest at the summer solstice, where they encounter the faerie folk, who cause untold mischief. This is performed by an intergenerational cast with actors ranging in age from 12 to 60.
The Players are reliant on ticket sales for survival, and this crisis with the Cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham, has meant that tourism and visitors to the town have reduced dramatically; the town is much quieter than usual, and that ticket sales for the three performances in Brixham have collapsed by 90%, although all shows outside the area are selling as normal. We would love to invite audiences to come to the show, and to reassure everyone that both we, and the venue (Brixham Theatre) as well as all other local businesses are safe, welcoming and all correct precautions in place. Brixham is very much open for business, and it is safe!



The South Devon Players is a not-for-profit organisation mostly funded by ticket sales, and selling second hand things on ebay , founded in 2006 to create professional theatre opportunities for local actors and creatives at any stage of their careers but who are unable to move away to the cities. With national and international arts awards, an inclusive and intergenerational team, and a lot of support for other local community events & organisations, alongside touring extending across the UK (and the streaming to the USA); and developing formal training for actors, the South Devon Players prove time and time again that local people are fully capable of delivering world-class professional theatre, from small towns to cities; and now to the USA. The Players have excellent links and ongoing relationships with Equity & other national creative industry organisations, casting agents, and have launched the careers of at least 30 local people into the creative industries.


The Players are committed to promoting Brixham, and Torbay, as a place of excellence for the performing arts, and welcoming anyone who wishes to be a part of this aim.

END of press release

Googledrive of rehearsal images, show posters etc
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZJwji3H1SYkfjsRMthoV1JGs0cmLIvyy?usp=drive_link


Show tour dates information: https://www.southdevonplayers.com/box-office.html


Contact:
Laura Jury 07855 090589, [email protected]
Mail: care of our rehearsal venue at Chestnut Community Centre, 1-3 Poplar Close, Brixham, Devon TQ5 0SA