Bord Gais Energy Theatre welcome their millionth customer.

Words: Caroline Foran

Last week, as popular illusionist Derren Brown performed to a sold out Bord Gais Energy Theatre, the theatre itself celebrated a rather important milestone. As one of our favourite venues for music and theatre, we at entertainment.ie wanted to congratulate the folk at Bord Gais Energy Theatre on welcoming their millionth customer through their doors last week. Not bad for a new venue in the midst of a recession. We caught up with the theatre's general manager, Stephen Faloon to chat about the significance of this occasion.

Did you ever expect you'd have your millionth customer passing through your doors?

We were confident with the type of shows that we have here at the theatre that we would attract a lot of people but we are delighted to reach the millionth customer so quickly. It's been magical to see people really embrace the theatre into their hearts and also to see producers who were initially scared about coming to Dublin in the midst of a big recession, now knocking on our doors to bring even bigger and better shows to Dublin. Irish audiences are really up for a good time and want to be entertained and we have found that visiting companies have such a great time here that they find it hard to leave!

Given the economic climate, are you surprised to see the venue do so well?

Yes and no. With the current economic climate, there was a fear that the theatre wouldn't do as well as it has. But we as a nation love to be entertained and still enjoy our nights out as an escape from the bad news stories that surround us every day.

How important is a venue like this at a time like this, for Ireland?

I think it's very important. In the Celtic tiger years we thought nothing of going to London or even New York to see all the big shows and now that we have this beautiful theatre on our doorstep we can see the big shows at a fraction of the cost. We are able to bring a variety of shows whether it be musicals, theatre, opera, music or kids shows that just couldn't come to Ireland before. Also we are still working with Irish companies to start shows here before they travel to the West End and beyond.

As we say goodbye to Grand Canal Theatre and hello to Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, what can we expect over the coming months?

I am constantly working with producers to keep bringing the big shows to Ireland. I love the shows that are coming up and it seems unfair to mention any of them by name but to have two Cameron Mackintosh shows in one year in the form of The Phantom of the Opera and Oliver! is amazing. I am also really looking forward to Avenue Q and Legally Blonde because they are absolutely hilarious. Also South Pacific, The King and I, Green Days' American Idiot and Chicago are such beautiful productions. Finally I am really looking forward to the Wagner opera Tristan and Isolde which will be the first time this opera has been performed in Ireland in 60 years and will be a complete spectacle – there are just too many shows and not enough time!

Read our interview with the Trekkie Monster from Avenue Q coming to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this week.

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Monday 2nd April 2012 | Theatre

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