In 1987 an open
air stage was built in the plaza between Festival Park and the Grand
Entrance to the Towers. The stage became the park's sixth new
performance venue since 1980, and was dedicated to bring music to
the park, even having it's own houseband, Red Sun.
In 1988, when
Henry Hound bounded into the park he took over the stage to house
his very own musical extravaganza, Henry's Celebration. The
distinctive dome, which became something of an icon in the park was
added for the 1989 season, when the park had realised that the Great
British climate wasn't ideal for a fully open air stage.
The Festival Park
Dome, as the venue had become known carried on hosting Henry's shows
for nearly the whole duration of the hound's time at the park, with
Henry's Festival Spectacular
(1989), Henry's Time Machine (1990-1990) and Henry Hound's Super
Sounds (1991-1992). In 1993 Super Sounds gave way to Music Mania,
which was essentially the same show, only without featuring Henry
Hound.
The final show to be
performed in the Festival Park Dome was the Music Powerhouse, which
ran from 1994 through to 1998, the last year the dome was used as a
theatre venue. While shows ceased to be performed the dome remained
as a redundant and yet dominating feature within Fountain Square for
several years, until 2002 when it was converted into a restaurant,
eventually becoming the Hogs Head Bar and Grill.
After nearly twenty
years, the dome's time at the park came to an end when it was
eventually demolished at the start of 2007 to make way for a more
permanent restaurant, Rita's Chicken and Ribs.
When Henry Hound arrived at Alton
Towers he was drawn to the Open Air Theatre like a moth to the
flame. At the same time as starring in the Birthday
Parade, he also appeared in his first show, Henry's Celebration,
a 30 minute long party to celebrate the park's 60th Birthday.
Also during 1988, The Open Air
Theatre played host to the magician, Martin Daniels in a show
that ran alongside Henry's Celbration. As well as performing
ticks there were also cabaret elements to the show, with
impressions by Kerry Wilson, as well as songs performed
alongside a backing group. If the name sounds familiar, Martin
Daniels is of course the son of Paul Daniels.
Henry's Festival Spectacular
Years: 1989
It was all change at the Open Air Theatre for 1989, with the
distinctive dome being added causing a change in name.
Whilst the building itself saw big changes the show remained
rather familiar. However as it was no longer a birthday year the
name was renamed as Henry's Festival Spectacular.
In 1990 Henry and
Henrietta took a trip through time in all new Henry's Time
Machine. This all singing, all dancing adventure was sure to
guests tapping their feet along as the hounds and their friends
went on an adventure through time to discover music from the
past, present and future,
The next season saw The Count join
in the musical adventures in the Festival Park Dome. Whilst most
people would create a mix tape for someone they care about, Henry
took this to a whole new level by creating Henry's Mega Mix
specially for all his friends, where a host of talented performers
performed a variety of popular song and dance routines.
Another year, another familiar show
with a new name. Now known as Henry Hound's Super Sounds, the
new show saw the familiar successful format expanded with the
park investing in new sets for the now annual fast paced song
and dance extravaganza.
In a dramatic twist on what had gone
before, 1993 saw Music Mania arrived at the park, a fast paced
show filled with popular music and dance... that no longer
featured Henry Hound.
Instead the focus moved much more
onto the music itself as well as other cabaret acts such as the
impressionist Kerry Wilson.
With the
arrival of Ug Land the Festival Park Dome fell out of use and
was probably used as an undercover picnic area for the following
years until it became the Fountain Square BBQ in 2002.
In later
years it would become known as the Hog Head Bar and Grill until
it was demolished at the end of 2006 to make way for Rita's Bar
and Grill.
Thanks to Terry
Cannon Moore for all his help with this page.
If you have any information on these shows please email the
team.
