Programming Policy for The Riverfront
The Riverfront opened in October 2004. A £16m new build at the heart of the regeneration of the riverside areas of Newport, it serves the City itself and draws in some audiences from surrounding areas including Cardiff, which is just 15 minutes away. The previous professional theatre in Newport had been knocked down in 1961, but The Riverfront has rapidly re-established a programme and audience for professional performance in the City.
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There are two performance spaces:
The Riverfront Theatre
Two tiers face a separated proscenium stage with orchestra lift giving forestage and pit options. The overall capacity without orchestra pit or forestage is 493 seats. The overall capacity with orchestra pit or forestage in is 463.
The Riverfront Studio Theatre
Flat floored space with retractable seating for 128. The Studio theatre operates as cinema every Monday and Tuesday, plus some Wednesdays.
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Programming
The Director, Nicolas Young, takes the lead on most programming and can be contacted on: 01633 656678 or email: nicolas.young@newport.gov.uk
The Riverfront has a mixed artform programme of approximately 175 performances per year: 30% pantomime, 25% music, 15% drama, 10% family, 10% comedy, 5% dance, 5% other.
It has a particular interest in developing audiences for drama, physical theatre, dance, and classical music. Within those areas, there is a particular interest in new approaches to classic titles, physical and visual devised work, chamber music and piano. The Riverfront hosts the triannual Newport International Competition for Young Pianists.
The music programme outside of the classical series is wide-ranging, from rock and pop through to big bands.
Family performances and work intended for children is programmed into both theatres.
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Brochure deadlines determine cut-off points for each season. The programming deadlines are as follows:
- Autumn Season: events in September to January, has a programming deadline in May
- Spring Season: events in Jan to April, has a programming deadline in the previous October.
- Summer Season: events in April to August, has a programming deadline in January
However, much work is programmed ahead of those dates and tends to be 9 to12 months before the date of performance. There are professional performances in all months except July and August. May, June and September are quieter than October to April.
