News Blast: Margate Winter Gardens restoration and more
Creative and cultural news from Thanet and East Kent, including plans to reopen Margate Winter Gardens
From plans to revive the derelict Margate Winter Gardens to an exhibition inspired by the Walpole Bay tidal pool, get a round up of the latest culture news from Thanet and beyond.
Thanet District Council has officially approved plans for Westwood One Theatre to renovate and reopen Margate’s Winter Gardens. It’s not clear how long the full project will take to complete, but councillors have said that the venue’s two main halls could be back open to the public in 15-18 months. The multi-million pound restoration will also add a theatre school, nursery, cafe/restaurant, rooftop bar and training centre to the complex, which closed in 2022. Westwood One previously returned Ramsgate’s Granville Theatre to use in 2022.
Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre has announced the first play from its new production arm Marlowe Theatre productions. Written by Amy Rosenthal and directed by Richard Beecham, The Party Girls tells the story of the Mitford sisters. "I couldn’t be more delighted to launch Marlowe Theatre Productions with this world premiere,” says chief exec Deborah Shaw. “It showcases our commitment to creating world-class theatre in Kent.” The show will open at the Marlowe from September 1-6 before touring the UK. Tickets go on sale on April 7.
Oast in Cliftonville has been named one of the 50 best bakeries in Britain by the Good Food Guide. Hard to argue with that one, it’s really great. I mean, we’re willing to go and try as many other bakeries as you like, but not if it takes us away from Oast’s pastries for too long. In trying to single out highlights, the GFG review basically just lists the entire menu, as well as mentioning the “window stools” and “great local vibe.”
London’s Design Museum has launched its new exhibition, Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style. Notable because, well, who doesn’t love stylish swimming? But also, it’s guest curated by TV presenter and Margate resident Amber Butchart. The seed of the idea for the exhibition came from her daily swims in the Walpole Bay tidal pool during the pandemic. Through over 200 items, the show tells the story of the evolution of swimwear from the 1920s to the present day. More info.
Margate Creative Land Trust is inviting locals involved in various creative sectors to have a say in the organisation's plans to support the Margate creative economy. There will be three online events covering music, performing arts and live production (April 15), film, TV, animation and digital design (April 24), and fashion and design (April 30). Each session will run 5-30pm-7pm. Register your interest.
Margate’s very own Chump’s Comedy have been announced as the programmers for this year’s comedy stage line up at the End Of The Road festival in Dorset this summer. Among the names they’ve book are Stewart Lee, Adam Buxton, Grace Campbell and Michelle de Swarte. Chump’s hasn’t been going for two years yet and they’ve got so big. Brings a tear to our eye. Read our interview from last May when they talked about plans to put on a few more shows in Margate.
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