Roden To Leave Bristol Hippodrome in Great Shape

Gary Roden, General Manager at The Bristol Hippodrome since February 2007, leaves to take up his new position as General Manager at Edinburgh Playhouse.

Roden’s replacement at the Hippodrome is Christiaan De Villiers, who hails originally from South Africa where he studied Drama and Performing Arts and also performed in professional theatre. Following time spent teaching languages and drama, Christiaan moved to the UK ten years ago where he continued teaching. However, his love for the theatrical world remained and in 2007 he joined Live Nation working in the White Rock Theatre, Hastings, the Sunderland Empire and the Liverpool Empire. Of his new appointment, Christiaan said: “I am really delighted to be joining the dynamic team at The Bristol Hippodrome. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the city and the theatre and I’m looking forward to continuing the good work”.

Outgoing GM, Gary Roden said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of such a dedicated, experienced and skilful team. It has been well documented that the last few years have been very successful at the Hippodrome. I am so happy to have been part of such fantastic shows that have attracted so many visitors to the theatre and the city. Over 1.5million visitors have been entertained here during my three and a half years, something which I am incredibly proud of.

“I shall take away some amazing memories from my time at the theatre. I have met a long list of star performers and their celebratory entourages. I have also had the pleasure of meeting such theatrical greats as Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Lord Lloyd Webber. However the biggest star of them all has been the beautiful building itself which I have fallen in love with. During my time here we have invested over £1 million in the building, making it water tight and upgrading a variety of our key facilities. I am leaving behind a passionate team who care about the theatre and as such I know this work will continue long into the future.”