Mansfield Palace Theatre manager Andrew Tucker to retire

A chief who was instrumental in transforming Mansfield Palace Theatre into a popular destination is bowing out after 26 years’ service.
Andrew Tucker is retiring from his post as cultural services manager at Mansfield Palace Theatre.Andrew Tucker is retiring from his post as cultural services manager at Mansfield Palace Theatre.
Andrew Tucker is retiring from his post as cultural services manager at Mansfield Palace Theatre.

Andrew Tucker will retire as cultural services manager this month.

He is sad not to be spending his last days with colleagues as the theatre is in lockdown. Andrew said: “I would like to thank them all for their contributions that have made my term of office so successful and enjoyable.

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“I wish my successor, Sian Booth, all of the very best in facing theimmediate challenges that Covid-19 presents. I’m confident that she is a very competent and dynamic person who will move the Mansfield Palace Theatre forward into the next phase of its life.”

Andrew said that the coronavirus outbreak had turned his life around. “Here I was at the end of March with a wonderful financial year coming to a close and a potentially very successful theatre programme about to be launched to take me through to July and the long-awaited prospect of retirement! The next thing I know is the theatre is shut down immediately and I faced the dismal task of having to contact all of the theatre companies, agents, etc., to try and rearrange dates for shows affected”.

He is worried about the future of live theatre and hopes that Mansfield District Council will continue supporting its cultural jewels.

Andrew was originally appointed general manager at the Civic Theatre, as the Palace was known in 1994. He was instrumental in helping the district council win £1.63 million to transform the theatre which has celebrated its one millionth person through the doors since the major refurbishment.

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Promotion to cultural services manager gave Andrew responsibility for Mansfield Museum in addition to the theatre.

Hayley Barsby, chief executive of the district council, said, “A big thank you to Andrew for leading the cultural offer for the district and in creating a destination for many to attend the gem that is the Palace Theatre. During these years, this theatre has been created into a destination for people to attend, whether to visit Ken Dodd or to a more refined offer of a ballet. We now have a place for people to experience a friendly and engaging venue for young and old to create memories”.