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Entertainment - future

AT86

TS Member
It seems that this year Alton Towers has taken a step forward in terms of entertainment options at the park, Lets face it, things hit an all time low between 2016-2019 with no shows outside CBeebies Land at all, and little other entertainment other than ATTP on Towers Street. But even before that, the small scale Pirate show in Mutiny Bay, whilst fun, didn't come close to the level of shows seen at the park in the proceeding decades.

2020 introduced Oktoberfest and with it some new entertainment and the Christmas Event seems to have introduced some additional entertainment in the form of Carol singers and roaming characters, and hopefully the Panto can also be performed as planned if the next round of tier restriction reviews goes in the park's favour.

Looking around the other UK Merlin parks, it does seem that entertainment has picked up slightly there too - Oktoberfest at Thorpe and new Christmas offerings at Chessington. It is probably too early to tell, but perhaps Merlin have seen fit to loosen the purse strings a little when it comes to this element of the parks? Lets hope so.

I know shows and entertainment aren't everyone's cup of tea which is fair enough, we all like different things. For me, a day at a theme park is about the whole package, rides, shows, characters food etc. so I personally would love for things to steadily evolve over the coming years to expand the entertainment offerings.

There are a distinct lack of show venues across the park these days due to a lack of focus on shows, and the only indoor venue that can be converted back into a theatre is now in the Walliams area, restricting the show to being linked to that IP. Whilst I wouldn't be averse to this being put back into use with a Walliams themed show, I do think there are other options for show venues - such as:

  • Fountain Square - a more permanent stage/seating area similar to the Christmas set up would see a far bit of 'passing trade' attracting people to stop and watch
  • Goal Striker location - an outdoor stage/seating area similar to the one at Chessington could work well here
  • Air car parks - a larger scale show venue that could be used by park and hotel guests, the return of Ice Shows perhaps?
  • Small stage on the Ripsaw site? Think they have tried this briefly before
I’m curious to know what entertainment you would like to see at the park in the future?
 
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I want them to put something on in the CCL theatre. I'm not particularly into theatre however part of me thinks SIX would be a good fit at Alton Towers (Historical and British).
 
In glad we’ve seen more ents this season, I guess partly because they’ve had to close things ents would normally do, eg dungeons for a while and the two indoor shows in Cbeebies Land which never opened. But it was nice to see the traffic patrol out around the park all day, and not just for an hour in the morning. I think they also utilised their hotel singers on the park when they couldn’t use them in the hotels as they normally would, so cost wise it probably didn’t cost them much more for this, as the staff would be paid anyway.

I do think Scarefest was the only event which lacked roaming actors (yes they were in mazes but other than that there was very little).

I do think fountain square has always been a wasted space and some kind of stage or entertainment in that area would be great, I’m not expecting a full blown show, but something there would be better than nothing.

Hopefully we see the Oktoberfest and Scarefest set up return on the lawns, I would quite like to see a summer event as well, you can use the same food outlets and stage set up, just make it more of a summer beach party event.
 
A permanent stage/seating area in Fountain Square you say?

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Fountain Square would be a great spot to use as a permanent entertainments space. Personally what I want to see is more indoor entertainments. The only current space that has the infrastructure already set up for that is the theatre in the David Walliams area, and I would rather see the 4D show return there with a David Walliams overlay.

Some form of new large scale indoor area would be great to see, something versatile that could be used for different events. The Air car park is a good shout, it's between the theme park and the hotels, so could be used in a variety of ways and there is plenty of space to accommodate for such an arena. I would love to see the ice shows return.

While I appreciate outdoors entertainment and roaming actors, I would rather see Towers aim for something more ambitious. It's sad that we've been without an indoor entertainments facility in the theme park for so long.

I would like Towers to also give parades a go, perhaps initially for the events only and explore introducing mascots back to the park (Henry & Henrietta).

Being realistic, expanding Octoberfest and improving Scarefest/Christmas should be a priority, perhaps followed by a summer event (stunt show on the lake?) and then aiming for some form of new permanent entertainments venue on park.
 
I do think Scarefest was the only event which lacked roaming actors (yes they were in mazes but other than that there was very little).
There is an argument that there were no roaming actors because by their very nature they draw crowds around them - exactly what Towers was trying to avoid during that time. I suspect that's the reason the Ancestors were on the stage and not performing in Towers Street and by Duel as they usually do - easier to control the crowds in front of that stage with the socially distanced tables.
 
A permanent stage/seating area in Fountain Square you say?

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Fountain Square would be a great spot to use as a permanent entertainments space.

Ah yes, I have fond memories of the shows on this stage, with the sound of the Corkscrew lift whirring away in the background. It is a shame that they took this out in favour of a restaurant, but the entertainment had dried up at that location many years before.

Taking my rose tinted glasses off and stepping back to the real world for a minute, the temporary stage in Fountain Sq they are using for Christmas and did use for Halloween a couple of years back does show that there is plenty of space in that area for some form of more permanent show venue.

I would like Towers to also give parades a go, perhaps initially for the events only and explore introducing mascots back to the park (Henry & Henrietta).

I have often thought they could expand the Halloween event by adding a small parade using the actors they would already be employing and digging out a couple of mini float type vehicles such as the Pirate boat that used to go around Mutiny Bay. Would be a good test to see if guests are interested in seeing a parade at the park.
 
I know it is a generation or so ago, but the old parade was a bit of an embarrassment, mainly because nobody was actually watching.
 
I know it is a generation or so ago, but the old parade was a bit of an embarrassment, mainly because nobody was actually watching.

Interesting point, we do have some old family photos somewhere of the parades from the early 90s that have a fair crowd watching, but equally I have seen some YouTube videos which show very few people around.

I guess the focus should be on having things like parades during school holidays and events when the park is busier, not on rainy midweek September days.
 
Bringing this topic back to life, but I have been thinking about that if AT were to put in a permeant stage show then know Merlin and their pursuit of 'World Firsts', USP and an already existing brand and I got thinking of what show they could bring to the park and it came to me...Starlight Express! :D

Don't laugh now as the more I thought about it, it seemed quite plausible when you think about it. As you know it is already known musical from Lloyd Webber (admittedly not know to the extent of Cats lets say) but it is performed on roller stakes and knowing Merlin, they'd want to market it as the 'World's first theme park stage show musical on roller stakes' and all that drivel and finally be condense into an hour long show. Be honest, with all those USP's to go for, we could all see that coming a mile off! :p

Where to put it though? It would possibly having to gut out Cred Street theatre, or whatever it is now, into a roller derby much like it's original design in the West End and honestly it would put that space to good use. Still, just a thought that does make you think the more picture it.
 
Speaking of permanent theatre, isn't that big stage at the bottom of Towers Street now showing some kind of show? One about Sir Algenon?

I know the show was introduced alongside Mardi Gras, but the stage has been there since the start of the season, so would it be fair to assume that this show is at least semi-permanent?
 
Speaking of permanent theatre, isn't that big stage at the bottom of Towers Street now showing some kind of show? One about Sir Algenon?

I know the show was introduced alongside Mardi Gras, but the stage has been there since the start of the season, so would it be fair to assume that this show is at least semi-permanent?
They have four shows running on rotation
Time Architects - Taking it to the Streets
Time Architects - Birth of Soul
Darwin and Eric's Historical Mixup
Darwin and Eric's Time Travel Adventure
All four last roughly 15 minutes
 
They have four shows running on rotation
Time Architects - Taking it to the Streets
Time Architects - Birth of Soul
Darwin and Eric's Historical Mixup
Darwin and Eric's Time Travel Adventure
All four last roughly 15 minutes
At very least, the Darwin & Eric ones seem as though they might outlast Mardi Gras!
 
I think if Alton Towers were to do a big production like @QTXAdsy suggested, on a quiet day it would probably have to be after park close or it would eat up too much of everyone's days.
Quality of productions at holiday camps are often of questionable quality (I once saw We Will Rock You at a holiday camp and it was dreadful), however I think Alton Towers should have the budget to do such a production justice. (Although the music would probably have to be pre-recorded rather than having a pit orchestra).
 
I don’t see them adding any show that lasts longer than about 20-30 minutes inside the park. As has already been said, any longer and it eats into time to do other attractions.
Disneyworld has one or two longer shows such as Finding Nemo the musical at 40 minutes but I don’t think it’s common to have those longer shows elsewhere?


They should be considering alternative hotel or outdoor (enchanted village or stargazing area) entertainment for the evenings but that’s a different topic.
 
I don’t see them adding any show that lasts longer than about 20-30 minutes inside the park. As has already been said, any longer and it eats into time to do other attractions.
Disneyworld has one or two longer shows such as Finding Nemo the musical at 40 minutes but I don’t think it’s common to have those longer shows elsewhere?

I do feel if theme park hours were opened for more longer than the short time we have right not then it's not entirely unreasonable to think you could have in theory longer shows in the park.
 
I do feel if theme park hours were opened for more longer than the short time we have right not then it's not entirely unreasonable to think you could have in theory longer shows in the park.
Possibly but I still think 45 minutes is probably a maximum as people will feel like they want to get off and do something else.
I think at Disney the Nemo musical at 40 minutes is their longest so it can take an hour to experience with the time taken to get in and out of the theatre. Many people find it’s too long to keep their kids entertained as well. But then that’s about pitching the right show to the right age group.

I do think that Alton Towers could definitely offer an under 30 minute show on park (like they used to in the Cuckoo Land theatre) as well as offering an hour long show in the hotels area after dinner. Could even do a 7.30pm family show and a 9pm more mature show. Would be a great alternative to the singers they normally offer at the hotel.
 
Sorry to bump this thread but I felt like it was the right thread to use rather than creating a new one.
So I've mentioned in a few threads that some new shows are really needed at Alton Towers as they will help with one of the main criticisms of Alton Towers that there is not a lot the whole family can do together. Shows used to be a big part of the alton towers experience. Over the years there's been everything from Ice shows to general stage shows.

Now what I think would help the park considerably is some new shows in some new/refurbished venues. They would help with queue times as guests would be soaked up by the show venues rather than it ride queues so it would be a great benefit to the park all round in my opinion. I suspect we may get a new 4d show at some point in the old ice age theatre so I would think that maybe out of the question for stage shows. So my question is where do you think they could host shows and what sort of shows do you think Alton Towers should host?

The park have done nice with the entertainment on the lawns and it's great they're planning to do that more mid term, with a planning permission for 4 years I think it was, and that;'s great but both a long term new show venue as well as somewhere inside because of the great British weather would be ideal and suite Alton Towers very well. I really do think it should be the future of entertainment in the park.
 
I actually think the way events/longer opening for the park they actually have a perfect venue which with some work could create a great indoor entertainment venue.
The courtyard in mutiny bay I’d take down the old tent, cover the whole area with a new permanent roof/cover the archways could be sealed to create an enclosed venue.
The area already has all the facilities required toilets, bar, food, tech/dressing rooms.
With a more modern upgrade this would give them if we’ll designed a space for a big stage suitable for a variety of shows all year round (we’ve already seen them utilise the space again for some events).
This would fill a large gap the resort lacks currently of a venue close to the entrance, suitable to use all year round, benefits from the facilities already been in place..
Would be great space to become a nice entertainment hub again and it needs a refresh as it looks tired and I think very restricted with the current setup.
 
I actually think the way events/longer opening for the park they actually have a perfect venue which with some work could create a great indoor entertainment venue.
The courtyard in mutiny bay I’d take down the old tent, cover the whole area with a new permanent roof/cover the archways could be sealed to create an enclosed venue.
The area already has all the facilities required toilets, bar, food, tech/dressing rooms.
With a more modern upgrade this would give them if we’ll designed a space for a big stage suitable for a variety of shows all year round (we’ve already seen them utilise the space again for some events).
This would fill a large gap the resort lacks currently of a venue close to the entrance, suitable to use all year round, benefits from the facilities already been in place..
Would be great space to become a nice entertainment hub again and it needs a refresh as it looks tired and I think very restricted with the current setup.

It's a great idea although just to play Devils Advocate.....it's currently a nice place for Adults to have 20 mins pitstop and get a pint. It's also great for those not into rides whilst their older kids run around the park like total maniacs.

Be a shame to see it used for shows and not have that place.
 
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