Theatre bar profits soar thanks to tardy singer

SINGER Ian McCulloch’s late arrival on stage at the Kenton Theatre in Henley on Saturday meant the bar takings hit a record.

The frontman with veteran Liverpool rockers Echo and the Bunnymen was performing a rare solo show at the New Street venue but did not appear until about 9.15pm.

The doors had opened at 6.30pm and the sold-out show was scheduled to start at 7.30pm but this was pushed back and the support act did not take to the stage until 8pm. The delay meant that members of the audience could take advantage of the theatre’s new bar and foyer, which re-opened last month following refurbishment.

Demand was so great that the volunteer staff ran out of clean glasses — twice. The final takings for the night were around £1,200.

Ed Simons, chairman of trustees, said: “It was our record takings and when I told Ian after the show he said that he had also set a record at a venue in Glasgow.



“It was such a nice audience, with about half coming from Liverpool, and many of them said, ‘this is for charity so keep the change’.

“We ran out of glasses twice and I also went down into the cellar to help out. Ian was great and the audience loved him. He says he is going to come back next year and maybe bring some of the band with him.”

Mr Simons added that the new-look bar area had been a success.

He said: “Results like this really does vindicate what we have done. We have also had people coming in to book tickets for another night and have stayed to have a drink. It is fantastic.”