Down to Roundabout

If you’ve been outraged, saddened or miffed about the apparent disregard for the future of Margate’s marvellous entertainment venues, you’re not alone. There’s a huge swarm of the Thanet community that are willing to fight to see the future of the Winter Gardens secured, Theatres are crucial after all.

This article isn’t designed to offer permanent solutions but a pleasant distraction from the crumbling fate of Thanet’s theatres, as the superb ROUNDABOUT rolls into town once more. Roundabout is a pop up theatre that brings joy, laughter, fun, singing and a dancing and so much more under its big yellow tent. It’s accessible, affordable and genuinely exciting to audiences and organisers alike, one of those organisers, who has been involved with Roundabout for a decade, is Pam Hardiman.

Pam delights in revealing how she “first saw the original prototype of Roundabout in 2012 – it was indoors, in the round, and completely made of wood. And it blew me away – I’d never seen anything like it before”. The building of the structure still excites Pam to this day despite having seen it rise and fall for a decade. CommunityAd had the absolute pleasure of chatting to Pam about her time at Roundabout, and why you should be planning a visit!

What highlights stand out during your decade at Roundabout?

Paul Sinha doing stand up comedy completely in the round… Anna Symes presenting a tea dance in the space… Lili la Scala performing “I am titanium” and nearly blowing the roof off. And so much powerful theatre – I think that’s what I look forward to most each year – that. and the locally produced events, which are always well supported and wonderful to see. The thing to remember about Roundabout, is that it really is completely in the round. So as you’re laughing your head off, or maybe welling up – you can look across the space, past the actors, and see other people doing exactly the same as you – it makes it an incredibly moving and joining experience.

It’s proving to be a real staple of the social calendar here in Newington isn’t it?

Absolutely- I know how much everyone here looks forward to its return now. Year one was a real toe in the water, year two, we were more confident and people came back for more. Now in year three bookings are already way higher than we expected and some shows will sell out – that’s a mark of how much Roundabout means to Newington.

What’s there to look forward to this year? Any particular highlight standout for you?

Well Screaming Alley are bringing their fabulous cabaret back, as well as working with local young people to produce the Chill Club Cabaret. There’s lots for families to enjoy – “Shakespeare’s Royal Company” will be hilarious, and Mama G’s Storytime is just a lovely show. My personal highlight will be Lunatraktors on Saturday night – if you don’t know their music, you really should. They’re Margate based and are simply wonderful.

Why is it so important that the community of Thanet (particularly the youngsters) have access to the arts?

Seriously? EVERYONE should have access to the arts. But it’s not easily accessible for so many. What Roundabout does is bring a range of shows to areas and communities which don’t have cultural establishments on their doorstep – it gives them ownership of what’s presented, so they see what they want to see. And of course we hope that they will join us for the plays which Paines Plough have produced. It’s all about trying something new in a safe environment and without spending a fortune ( our tickets are capped at £10) Plus of course we’re presenting Paines Plough’s play for children “The Ultimate Pickle” to nearly 500 local schoolchildren, over 3 performances. Some may never have been to a theatre before – how brilliant is it that their first experience will be such an exciting one.

Roundabout is a wonderful event but we need full time full functioning theatres don’t we?

Absolutely. I was heartbroken when the Theatre Royal closed of course but at least there is hope for that venue in the form of the Margate Town Deal. I fear for the Winter Gardens, and feel so sorry for all those people who campaigned for the Granville. Thanet is pretty bruised by all these losses – which is why supporting what theatre there is left now, is all the more important.

Why should readers come along and where can they buy tickets etc…?

We have so many shows planned that you could easily spend the day here and watch everything from a hit Edinburgh play, to bingo, then some Bhangra dancing and finish off with folk music – we’ve got it all ( oh and there’s food available too of course – you can’t enjoy a show on an empty stomach!

If you’ve been to a Roundabout show before, you’ll know just how exciting it is – and if you haven’t, you’re in for a real treat. COME TO ROUNDABOUT ( Just look for the big yellow tent)!

All tickets are available online here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/nbl

Lots of more information on our Facebook page.

All tickets are capped at £10, Concessions are £5 and some shows are just £1 or even free.

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