Chairman of the board will be a familiar face to theatre goers in the region,  Hazel Clover. Hazel has 25 years experience of working in the arts, theatre and entertainment business that has included managing art centres, concert halls, festivals, residencies and theatres. Norfolk born and educated, the majority of Hazel’s career has been spent working in and around Norwich and Ipswich before setting up her theatre management business in Leicestershire. Most recently Hazel managed the largest theatre in the region, The Regent Theatre in Ipswich  and the De Montfort Hall & Gardens in Leicester.  

Hazel said  “I am committed to and passionate about the preservation and development of theatres. I have professional and family ties to East Anglia and am therefore delighted to join the Board of Trustees of the Marina Theatre Trust.”

Current Theatre Manager, Martin Halliday who led the bid to operate the Marina as a charitable trust is Chief Executive. Since returning to Lowestoft  ten years ago, Martin is widely credited for having turned around the fortunes of the Marina. Under his stewardship the venue secured its prestigious residency with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, introduced major touring and West End drama and musicals, international opera and ballet, high profile comedians, musicians and the venues’ award winning full scale professional pantomime. In addition the Marina continues to host community events and film. In 2011 Martin received the prestigious Encore Theatre Manager of the Year Award and has seen members of the venue team also win awards at national level.

Martin added, “We have a splendid, extremely talented team guiding the future of the venue and this is a very exciting time for both theatre goers and the team here at the Marina. For the first time in three years we are now able to plan far enough ahead to attract some major events and we look forward to announcing these in due course.”

Waveney District Council will continue to own the Marina Theatre and will work closely with the newly established Board to ensure the historic premises are maintained and improved. Deputy Leader of Waveney District Council, Stephen Ardley has worked closely with the theatre management over many years to ensure its continued success.

Stephen commented “The Marina Theatre is without doubt the cultural jewel in the districts crown, its continued success is vital to both the well being of local people and the areas economy. I am therefore delighted that, following a rigorous recruitment process we have been able to secure the support of such a diverse team with the specialist skills to ensure its long term future. Building upon the enormous success the venue has had in recent years, I am certain the Marina Theatre Trust will continue to see the high standard of productions and entertainment offered by the venue maintained and indeed expanded and I look forward to assisting the team as they prepare, subject to member approval  for the official handover later this year.”

Former Finance Director of the Norwich Theatre Royal and Norwich Playhouse, Norman Cullingford joins the Marina team having spent over 13 years successfully guiding the two popular regional venues.

David Blyth has over twenty nine years experience within theatre and arts management in both the commercial and subsidised sectors. David joined the Ambassador Theatre Group in 1992 as General Manager, working closely with the Co-founders, Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire over the next nineteen years.  In 2000 he was invited to join the ATG board, as Operations Director and following the 2009 acquisition by the Ambassadors Theatre Group of Live Nation Group of theatres became Property Director responsible for the companies 39 theatre venues.

From the Waveney Primary Care Trust Tracey Parkes. Tracey is a chartered fellow of the CIPD and a board level Human Resources professional who  has held senior HR leadership positions in both the private and public sector for over 16 years.  Tracey is currently the Director of Workforce at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and a member of the shadow board for NHS community  services in the local area.    Tracey feels that her previous private sector experience has enhanced the commercial contribution that she will bring to her role as a Trustee, she is passionate about Lowestoft and its community.

 

Also joining the board are local businessmen Joe Larter and Paul Bayfield. Joe Larter was a previous owner of Gunton Hall, originator of Pleasurewood Hills and many other successful local attractions. Paul is the proprietor of local bakers’ Bushells and Director of Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival which this year attracted over three hundred and eighty thousand visitors.

Paul said “I am pleased to be involved in the set up and nurture of the Marina Theatre Trust, having been involved with a similar project when the Lowestoft Air Festival was handed over to the private sector and run as a social and

charitable enterprise, I believe the Marina Theatre is an essential and integral part of the town and the Waveney area and I am keen to offer any skills and expertise towards the success of the project.”

The independent Friends Of The Marina are represented at board level by Friends vice chairman Mike Pinner. After working in education for most of his career Mike was appointed Head Teacher of Benjamin Britten High School in Lowestoft for 9 years prior to retirement and has since been involved in educational consultancy as well as being an active founding member of the venues Friends association. Mike added, “Having been involved with the hopes and fears of the Marina for some years, I am delighted and very relieved to note the quality and talents of trustees that the theatre has attracted. I believe we are on the road towards a new beginning for the Marina Theatre and rest assured that the Friends organisation will play its part.”

Waveney District Council is also represented on the Board by local Councillors Paddy Flegg & Ian Graham. Paddy has been a councillor in the Halesworth area for over 9 years. In her career she worked in administration at a London University and managed a small office for several years in Suffolk, now retired Paddy said “I have a great interest in seeing our lovely theatre survive.”

Ian was born and raised in Lowestoft  and is currently Waveney councillor for the Harbour ward.  Ian added, “At the recent elections I campaigned to keep the Marina as a Theatre and will do my best to ensure the Trust is the success I know it can be.”

www.marinatheatre.co.uk