New Citadel bosses on their plans to make the venue thrive again

MD Creatives, which signed a five-year lease with the Citadel in December 2020 after it was bought by entrepreneur Ian Pitts, are a collective that offer a wide range of opportunities for local people.

The three-way approach, designed to ensure the future sustainability of the 160-year-old building on Waterloo Street, includes the models Blank Canvas by MD CIC, MD Creative Academy, and MD Commercial.

Miguel Doforo, creative director and founder of MD Creatives, said: “The three-way approach means we have three shots of making the business successful.”

This strategy, with a commitment to community and education, has enabled the business to continue operating as much as possible throughout the pandemic.

It has also granted them access to government funding and community grants, which many music and arts venues across the country have struggled to procure.

Their first model, Blank Canvas, encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part in performing arts classes and workshops.

Miguel, a self-taught choreographer and “social entrepreneur” from Netherley in Liverpool, explains this is a way to “engage with community groups and artists and give them a platform to perform and succeed.”

Using the building's multi-purpose spaces, the programme aims to give back to the community by delivering these classes, focusing on equality and diversity, and acting as a support system for young people and adults for personal or professional development.

Their second approach, MD Creatives Academy, is a model that provides young people with “education programmes, industry experience and opportunities within the creative industries.”

Encompassing a wide range of courses such as dance, hair and make-up, lighting, cooking, DJ’ing and more, this is another community-driven programme that provides vital opportunities in the creative industries.

Managing these programmes, Miguel said they show that there is “talent in abundance” in St Helens.

The theatre, which has been closed for the majority of the year

“There is a real creative community underground and these programmes, with the space to learn and develop, is bringing it out.”

Explaining he has been "addicted to the place since [he] came here", Miguel also has high praise for St Helens council, who have "accepted my ideas, invited me as part of board and strategy meetings, and have championed the Arts as the future of the town."

MD Creative’s third model is the commercial side of the business, which aims to bring “high profile acts” to the theatre, as well as promoting local talent.

This model is the one that has been most affected by Covid restrictions, with many gigs and shows inevitably being postponed or cancelled over the past year.

Taking this in their stride, however, Miguel explains that the setbacks have “allowed [us] to utilise our time during Covid".

“We haven’t been pressured to open so we have continued with our other programmes, and we have also had some socially distanced in house gigs.”

Without this added pressure, MD Creatives have been able to create a relaunch programme for the remainder of the year full of music and other creative performances.

Starting from September, this will include a huge reopening show that showcases the past, present and future of the Citadel, as well as the Hot Water Comedy Club later in the month.

At present, there are currently free creative activities and training on offer at The Citadel, with the plan to collaborate with other local theatres and showcase short performances at the end of September.

Highlighting their commitment to the local community, Miguel has encouraged more people to get involved in MD’s projects, and will hold consultations with the public about future bookings at the theatre.