After being founded in 2017, Trafalgar acquired the global event cinema business Picturehouse Entertainment, rebranding to Trafalgar Releasing, which specialises in broadcasting live productions.[4]
The following year, the company acquired Stagecoach Performing Arts, a UK provider of Performing Arts tuition with over 2,000 schools and classes. Stagecoach shares a Head Office with Trafalgar Entertainment in Woking, UK.[5]
In 2019, Trafalgar Entertainment began a new partnership with London Theatre Direct, one of the UK's leading ticket retailer distributors and acquired UK-based event cinema distribution specialist, More2Screen.[3]
Later that year, the company announced the launch of Jonathan Church Theatre Productions with theatre director and producer Jonathan Church as artistic director.[6]
2020-2022
In March 2020, Trafalgar Entertainment's flagship London venue Trafalgar Studios was forced to close its doors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] In May of that year, Westminster City Council granted planning permission to return Trafalgar Studios to a 630-seat theatre.[8] Building work commenced in the Summer of 2020 and the redevelopment was overseen by Foster Wilson Size Architects.[9]
In March 2021, the company acquired HQ Theatres,[12] the UK's largest specialist regional theatre operator with a portfolio of 12 theatres, including Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff-on-Sea, G Live in Guildford, Churchill Theatre in Bromley and the Orchard Theatre in Dartford.[13]
Trafalgar Entertainment also went on to acquire a 35-year lease at the Olympia Theatre, London, in May 2021.[14] The theatre is currently under development as part of the regeneration of Olympia London and is set to open in 2025.[15]
In June 2021, Trafalgar Entertainment opened its first cinema complex, The Chiswick Cinema, a five-screen cinema with a private members club. It was the first new cinema in Chiswick, England, to open since 1934.[16]
After a restoration project in 2020, Trafalgar Studios was reopened as Trafalgar Theatre in July 2021 with a revival of the musical Jersey Boys.[17] The restoration returned the venue to a single auditorium with a capacity of 630 seats.[18]
In August 2021, HQ Theatres, as part of the Trafalgar Entertainment group, became the new operator of The New Theatre in Cardiff, Wales, with a 25-year lease.[19]
The following month, Trafalgar Entertainment successfully acquired the children's performing arts organisation Helen O'Grady Drama Academy.[20]
In 2022, the company acquired the London theatre app Stagedoor.[21]
2023 – present
In April 2023, Trafalgar Entertainment announced the acquisition of its first Scottish venue, The Pavilion Theatre, in Glasgow, Scotland.[22] It is one of the oldest theatres in Scotland, first opening in 1904.[23]
In August 2023, Trafalgar Entertainment acquired Imagine Theatre, one of the UK's largest pantomime producers.[24]
In March 2024, Trafalgar Entertainment was named in the FT1000 annual ranking of Europe's fastest growing companies.[25]
Divisions
In 2022, Trafalgar Entertainment announced the launch of two new divisions; Trafalgar Theatres and Trafalgar Tickets.[26]
Trafalgar Theatres
Trafalgar Theatres was launched in May 2022 as part of the company consolidating its venue operations under one division.[23] The previously acquired HQ Theatres brand was retired, and the 12 UK regional venues became a part of the new Trafalgar Theatres division. The company's flagship venue Trafalgar Theatre, as well as Olympia Theatre, and Sydney's Theatre Royal were also made part of the division.[27]
Trafalgar Tickets
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment's consolidation in 2022, Trafalgar Tickets was also launched for regional ticketing. Johan Oostervald leads this new division as the CEO of Trafalgar Tickets.[23]
Trafalgar Theatre Productions
Trafalgar Entertainment's Theatre Productions division deals primarily with producing new shows and musicals in London, UK and internationally. Co-founder Sir Howard Panter is the creative director of this division.[28]
During the COVID-19 lockdown imposed by the British Government, Trafalgar Entertainment co-founders Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire began a media campaign to help reopen theatres across the UK.[35]
In May 2021, Panter published an article in The Times criticising the British Government for lack of clarity on when theatres and entertainment venues would be able to reopen without restrictions.[36]
Shareholders
The largest shareholder of Trafalgar Entertainment is Barings Alternative Investment, which operates as a subsidiary of MassMutual Holding LLC.[37] Other shareholders include Greg Dyke, James Tanner, NWH Consulting Ltd, Sir Richard Branson and Griffon Corporation.[38]