Shropshire’s rural theatre company, Pentabus, has announced it's to hold a Theatre Promenade Supper as part of its 50th birthday celebrations.  

There are a limited number of tickets for the event for 10 July with organisers expecting it to sell out. The night will start at Pentabus’ new home at Ludlow Assembly Rooms for a complimentary glass of fizz, courtesy of Tanners and some live entertainment. Attendees will be divided in to three smaller groups where they will walk between three Ludlow venues for a starter, main course, and dessert.

Kin Kitchen, CSONS, and Bill’s Kitchen will provide each group with a course before they walk to the next venue.

“We’re very excited to be a part of Ludlow’s first ever theatre promenade dinner,” said Bill Sewell, from Bill’s Kitchen. “At Bill’s Kitchen we’re loving having Pentabus as neighbours in the Assembly Rooms. Ludlow has a growing reputation as a creative arts centre and so I can’t imagine a better way to spend a summer evening than promenading around our lovely town from one delicious restaurant to another - and being theatrically entertained on the way. We can’t wait!”

Reuben Crouch from CSONS added, "Our whole business is centred around supporting local and although we primarily do that through showcasing the food and drink of the amazing suppliers and producers that we have on our doorstep, we also love to support the wider community. Pentabus' principles of nurturing new talent and allowing people to explore their creativity are synonymous with our own, so when we were asked if we'd like to be involved in this exciting, food-based fundraiser we didn't give it a second thought!"

“We're delighted to be part of the Pentabus celebrations,” said Janet Morris from Kin Kitchen. “We love the promenade supper idea and are really looking forward to inviting guests into the garden for summer evening dining.”

Along with delicious food, entertainment will include Zoe Hanna May who grew up in Shropshire and whose career took off when she appeared on the BBC’s The Voice UK. She will be singing a section of songs with Izzy Culliss on Piano. Actor and former Pentabus Young Writer, Aled Gomer, will be performing his own piece Learning to Float. And British singer-songwriter and former guitarist and vocalist with the world-famous Electric light Orchestra, Dave Scott-Morgan with partner Mandy, will perform a set with Pentabus trustee, Joel Hall. This includes an original song by Dave called Georgia Here I Come, and some Dylan covers. Dave’s songbook also includes tracks recorded by Wishful Thinking and the Move, and European hit song Hiroshima.

Pentabus Trustee, Joel Hall, said, “I'm delighted to be supporting Pentabus by performing with Dave and Mandy as part of the 50th birthday celebrations. The company has such a rich history of theatre making and an ambitious vision for the future, particularly with its recent move to be the resident theatre company of the Ludlow Assembly Rooms. Pentabus has programmed a brilliant array of celebrations over the year - and it’s very exciting to be a part of it!”

The Pentabus Theatre Promenade Supper will kick off at 5.30pm on Wednesday 10 July at Ludlow Assembly Rooms. Tickets are £50 per person which includes the three-course meal, a glass of fizz, live entertainment and support for Pentabus’ work producing new productions and tours for communities across the UK and beyond. There will also be a raffle to help raise funds.

So far this year Pentabus has held a Yard Sale with 50 years’ worth of memorabilia and a Fundraising Walk from their old base to their new home at Ludlow Assembly Rooms raising £8,534.15 towards their target of raising £50,000 this year.

As part of the birthday celebrations, Pentabus is on a mission to sign up 50 new ‘friends’. From £3.50 per month, friends of Pentabus can support the charity on their mission to showcase new talent in the theatre world. Perks include getting advance notice of new productions and exclusive event invitations.

The Theatre Promenade Supper takes place on Wednesday 10 July. To book your place visit ticketsource.co.uk/pentabus.

Image: Csons Ludlow, supplied by Shropshire Festivals