Trial events planned for Douglas Head amphitheatre

Performers interested in the project have been invited to meet at the space on Wednesday

Performers with an interest in putting on shows at at an amphitheatre on a headland on the Isle of Man have been asked to come forward.

Plans for trial events at the performance space on Douglas Head have been outlined by Ran Bhadouria, a doctor at Noble's Hospital, who has signed a 10-year lease on the land.

Dr Bhadouria said he hoped the trial would lead to more regular performances in the "wonderful" space in future.

Anyone interested in performing at the shows planned for late September have been invited to meet the team at the theatre on Wednesday from 18:00 BST.

Andy Saunders of Event Management Solutions (EMS), which is also working on the project, said the venue would not host amplified acts and the test events would be transmitted over a silent disco system.

'Old glory'

Organisers are looking to host two ticketed variety shows, using mainly local acts, who would be paid to perform.

Dr Bhadouria said he had come across the theatre on Marine Drive on a walk with his family and felt it was "such a shame" the "wonderful space" was not in regular use.

He said he wanted to return it to its "old glory" so that the "Manx public would have another place to enjoy".

Although the headland was a popular tourist destination prior to World War Two, it fell out of favour in later years when attractions did not reopen, and had most recently been used infrequently for poetry performances.

Mr Saunders said although it relied on dry weather, it could provide "something unique" and the trials would create "a template" for future events, which could also include cinema clubs and vaudeville acts during summer 2025.

The pilot would help "get the shows right" and prove there would not be issues for nearby residents with regards to noise and parking, he added.