ATG Launches UK-Wide Theatre Card with Ghost PromoDate: 10 November 2011
The Ambassador Theatre Group this week launched what it’s billing as the “first UK-wide Theatre Card” and the country’s “biggest theatre membership scheme”.
The new ATG Theatre Card brings together two previous programmes – ATG’s own existing paid-for membership base and that of the former Live Nation portfolio, whose 16 theatres ATG acquired for a reported £90 million after Office of Fair Trading Approval last year. It launches with over 100,000 members, who can use their card in any of ATG’s 39 theatres across the country, including its 12 West End houses.
Priced at £30, membership benefits include priority tickets, ticket offers (including half-price on selected shows), no booking or postage fees on most productions, priority brochure mailing, fee-free ticket exchange, 10% savings on pre-show and interval drinks and free cloakroom. Similar to our own Whatsonstage.com Theatre Club and regular Outings programme, ATG Theatre Card holders will also have the chance to attend special events such as Q&As with cast and creative teams.
Howard Panter, Sharon D Clarke, Richard Fleeshman & Rosemary Squire
Speaking to Whatsontage.com, Howard Panter, ATG joint CEO and creative director, said: “We find that people really like getting closer to a theatre company, they like a sense of ownership, a sense of being involved and getting inside information.”
His partner, co-founder and joint CEO Rosemary Squire, explained that the knock-on effect for the industry is also important: “I think it's a big deal, particularly for producers, because it's intended to encourage people to come to the theatre regularly and to give them real incentives to do so.” She added: “We've now got the scale to make it really attractive. We've got a big enough spread of venues that, even if people in London aren't loyal to a particular venue, if they're loyal to theatre, the scheme will still benefit them in a number of ways.”
ATG Theatre Card manager Karen Cody said that the company is modelling its membership scheme on nationwide culture-interest clubs like the National Trust, which boasts in the region of three million members. She hopes to grow the ATG Theatre Card membership to 250,000 or more.
ATG are celebrating the launch of the new scheme with an offer aimed squarely at the West End: a free premium upgrade for Ghost the Musical to the best seats in the house and a complimentary original cast recording CD. To mark the occasion, Panter and Squire joined Ghost stars Richard Fleeshman and Sharon D Clarke onstage at the Piccadilly Theatre for a photo opp this week.
If you’re interested in Theatre Clubs, do also check out our own!
Whatsonstage.com Theatre Club benefits include advance, discounted booking on Whatsonstage.com Outings, group night discounts, regular free tickets, a subscription to our bi-monthly print magazine, advance booking for the Whatsonstage.com Awards Concert and sponsorships, free programme, drink and ice cream vouchers – and, currently, a joining gift ticket to Thriller Live! Click here for more info on how to join the Whatsonstage.com Theatre Club!
- by Terri Paddock
Related Content
| Internal Links |
 | ATG Buys Live Nation Theatres, Hires Greg Dyke - 3rd Nov 2009 News |
| Office of Fair Trading Approves £90m ATG Deal - 10th Feb 2010 News |
| ATG Tops Stage 100 Ahead of Subsidised Houses - 6th Jan 2011 News |
| With 100 days to go, West End warms up for Olympics - 18th Apr 2012 news |
| Ghost, Octagon, Lowry & Royal Exchange win Manchester Awards - 15th Mar 2012 news |
| Show Pics: Siobhan Dillon & Mark Evans are Ghost's Molly & Sam - 9th Feb 2012 photos |
| Photos: West End & Broadway Ghost Stars Meet at Piccadilly - 11th Jan 2012 photos |
| Siobhan Dillon & Mark Evans Takeover Ghost, 13 Jan - 29th Nov 2011 news |
| Shayne Ward, Richard Fleeshman & Backbeat Launch WOS Awards - 14th Nov 2011 news |
| Photos: Popstars Pop Up for Pudsey in West End Musicals - 31st Aug 2011 news |
| Andre Keen to Haunt the West End in Ghost??? - 19th Aug 2011 gossip |
| 1st Night Photos: Levy & Fleeshman Haunt Piccadilly - 20th Jul 2011 photos |
| Review Round-up: Ghost Reincarnated as Musical - 20th Jul 2011 roundup |
| Ghost the Musical  - 19th Jul 2011 reviews |
| Fleeshman Faced Broken Foot Rehearsing Ghost??? - 18th Jul 2011 gossip |
| WOS TV: Up Close With ... Ghost the Musical's Richard Fleeshman - 18th Jul 2011 interviews |
| Opening: Ghost, Woman Killed, Loyalty & Journey - 18th Jul 2011 news |
| Top Ten: Awe-inspiring Stage Special Effects - 18th Jul 2011 features |
| Top Ten: Screen-to-Stage Musicals - 21st Jun 2011 features |
| WOS Magazine Is Shrek Green, Jun/Jul Out Now - 2nd Jun 2011 news |
| ATG Look to Launch More from Manchester after Ghost??? - 19th May 2011 gossip |
| Photos: Ghost Cast Prepare to Haunt Piccadilly - 17th May 2011 photos |
| Photos: Ghost's Fleeshman & Levy, New London Poster - 11th May 2011 photos |
| Ghost the Musical (Manchester) - 13th Apr 2011 reviews |
| Galas: Shrek, West End Eurovision & Ghost CD - 6th Apr 2011 news |
| Ghost's Fleeshman & Levy Headline WOS Awards - 7th Jan 2011 news |
| WOS TV: Ghost Launches in Style at Abbey Road - 23rd Nov 2010 tv |
| Levy, Fleeshman & Stewart Give Ghost Sneak Peek??? - 16th Nov 2010 gossip |
| Levy & Fleeshman Lead Ghost Cast to West End - 12th Nov 2010 news |
| Oliver Thompsett Haunts Laura Michelle Kelly in Ghost??? - 28th Sep 2010 gossip |
| Ghost Confirms West End Piccadilly Run, 22 Jun - 17th Sep 2010 news |
External Links |
| Whatsonstage.com Theatre Club |
| www.atgtickets.com/theatrecard |
