An exciting cultural shift

Director Andy Woods has high hopes for the multi-million pound project.

The main aim of the School Drive centre is to provide 'something for everyone' and that is something Andy, who worked at the Guildhall Arts Centre in Gloucester for 18 years, is passionate about.

For more than half a century arts enthusiasts in Bromsgrove have been looking for a place to call their own and now the Artrix is planning to fill that gap.

Jointly funded by the district council and NEW College, there is already a buzz around the state-of-the-art venue, which will host blockbuster films, amateur plays and musicals, art exhibitions, concerts and gigs.

Andy believes this is a sign of great things to come.

"The whole idea of the Artrix is to provide something for everybody. It's an exciting zone with lots of different things going on."

Andy said primarily the centre will be aimed at Bromsgrove people but he is hoping that as its reputation grows more and more people will be attracted from the surrounding area.

"For some people who live in Birmingham it may even be easier to drive to Bromsgrove for an evening out rather than try and get into the city centre," he said.

The centre opens in mid-April and the inaugural event will be the biggest in Bromsgrove's cultural calendar - the internationally renowned Bromsgrove Festival.

The festival brings together the cream of the classical music world and theatre-goers will be among the first to check out the Artrix's special acoustics.

Andy says the £2.6million centre will have a 'soft opening' where they are open three days a week, then from September they will open every night.

"We are still constructing the programmes," he said.

The 54-year-old director is keen to make sure that the most is made of the space in the centre. He said he even wants the dressing rooms to provide

a rehearsal space when they are not being used.

Andy is hoping that rock and folk bands, who have cut their teeth on Bromsgrove's lively pub scene, will be keen to step up to the bigger stage of the Artrix - to help provide a balanced menu of musical treats.

And amateur dramatic groups, such as Bromsgrove's All and Sundry, have already picked out their slots in what is promising to be a jam-packed diary.

When asked what he thought the difference would be between the Guildhall in Gloucester and the Artrix, he said: "It's certainly going to be different. In Gloucester there is quite a large black and Asian community so we would show a lot of Bollywood films, so it will be a bit strange not showing them."

Andy wants townsfolk who have an interest in the arts to volunteer at the new centre. Ushers, catering staff and people to man the box office are needed.

There will also be an advert in the Advertiser/Messenger later this month to recruit projectionists, a marketing assistant and technicians.

Andy said: "There are all kinds of exciting ways people can get involved and be part of such a vibrant project."

For more information on the Artrix and to sign up to the mailing list you can visit www.artrix.co.uk

The centre is holding an open day on Saturday, February 26, when all townsfolk are welcome to have a nose around. For more details see the Advertiser/Messenger closer to the time.