Press Office

Press release - 1st April 2009

LEADING PANTO PRODUCERS ANNOUNCE NEW NAME

Over the next few weeks, WISH Theatre Ltd will undergo an exciting transformation into Imagine Theatre Ltd

It is out with old and in with the new for a specialist pantomime and theatre productions company this month, as they begin an exciting new chapter with a brand new name!

From April 1 2009 WISH Theatre has become Imagine Theatre. The new name reflects the creative talents of the company and the work that they do producing fun-filled pantomimes and children’s theatre.

The founders of WISH - Will Brenton, Iain Lauchlan, Steve Boden and Helen Cadwallader - concluded the negotiation of the sale of WISH Theatre and are delighted to announce that Steve Boden is the new owner of the company.

Originally known as WISH Theatre, the team behind Imagine is headed up by Steve Boden and Sarah Boden alongside existing staff members Ian Plimbley, Louise Redmond, Ray Morrison, Chris Ball and Dawn Outhwaite.

Although the company have changed their name this is the only change, with the production and creative teams staying exactly the same as will the company number, trading history and bank details.

All of Imagine's pantomime scripts will continue to be written by Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton who are best known as the creators of hit children’s TV shows such as the ‘Tweenies’and Fun Song Factory’.

Steve Boden, managing director of Imagine Theatre, said: “The name change is something that felt right for the business as it really represents what we do and reflects what we are all about – creating magical productions for the whole family.

“We are all really excited about the new name and what will be a new chapter for Imagine. The whole team are passionate about panto – which anyone who has ever visited our offices full of beanstalks, giant shoes and flying carriages can vouch for!

“Everything else at Imagine is staying exactly the same, so you will still pick up the phone and speak to the same person, and we can as always, help with a whole variety of panto requirements, usually no matter how out of the ordinary!”

Imagine operates from their main offices in Coventry and also have a 25,000 square foot scenery store in Redditch and a costume store in York.

The team at Imagine are already preparing for the 2009/10 panto run, and are producing shows at theatres right across the country.

Steve added: “This really is an exciting time to be part of Imagine, with the new name and the panto season preparations in full swing, the future is looking very positive for us!”

Imagine Theatre are producing pantomimes across the UK including shows at Loughborough Town Hall, The Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, The Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock, The Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, The Victoria Theatre, Halifax, The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and the Lyceum Theatre, Crewe.

ENDS.