East Midlands Entertainment Company Wins TGI Fridays Contract

Showon, a company, with its creative studios in Nottingham, has been chosen by TGI Fridays to convert selected restaurants into centres for nights of entertainment.

No strangers to creating theatre inside American Diners, the company will be bringing party styled productions that have been staged in three continents, and in cities that include New York.

History appears to be repeating itself as 60 years ago next month Alan Stillman opened the first TGI Fridays in Manhattan looking to satisfy a demand for a cocktail bar that could provide a fabulous ,yet comfortable, party atmosphere.

Until then, bars in New York were not female friendly and very quickly the restaurant became recognised as a "Singles Bar" and possibly one of the first in the world. Alan appeared to enjoy both commercial success and the female patrons that the restaurant attracted. TGI's were the originators of the "Ladies Night" theme.

"We are delighted to be working with a team who recognise the trend for restaurants to offer something more than just really good food", said Showon's theatre director, " and to stage the premier next month in our home city of Nottingham is really exciting. We have a policy of working with up and coming young talent ,giving them a firm platform from which to perform, and who knows, the next time you see your waiter might be on a West End stage".

The Showon company has created a diverse range of dining and cocktail experiences that includes the theatre for the world famous Karen's Diners ,The Magic in Wonderland and The Order of Wizards.

During the year, the company is planning to open a permanent immersive cocktail theatre club in the city to premier more of its experiences. If you Wonder where Wonderland is to be sited, a company spokesman has said that an announcement will be made over the next eight weeks.