TV and Entertainments Editor Viv Hardwick talks to former Darlington Civic Theatre director Brian Goddard about his record-breaking days as the venue begins the run-up to its 100th anniversary celebrations.

BRIAN Goddard, the man who created the legend of 95 per cent attendances at Darlington Civic Theatre, admits that the venue was a difficult place to leave. Now happily retired in France, the theatre director recently celebrated his 65th birthday and agreed to reflect on the days when Vera Lynn sent away her taxi three times and a chat with Ken Dodd lasted until two in the morning.

He says: "There were many highlights during my time in Darlington - but the most important was, of course, the refurbishment in 1990. The design and work was carried out by highly efficient members of council staff and the theatre opened on time, something which many refurbished theatres have not been able to achieve.

"The major improvements were, of course, the superb new bar area, additional seats in the stalls (including improved disabled facilities) and the re-opening of the upper circle. From memory, I believe the refurbishment cost around £1.5 m, with the council providing 50 per cent of this amount and approximately 50 per cent from the European Regional Development Fund. In addition, I was able to raise around £56,000 from the local business community."

The man who was inspired to become involved in entertainment at the age of four, when he was taken to see The Wizard of Oz at the cinema, has always believed that the Civic's intimate and warm atmosphere aided by friendly and welcoming staff were the keys to success.

He adds: "I always believed that the very high attendance figures were due to three main factors: 1. Booking the shows people wanted to see. 2. Efficient and carefully planned marketing. 3. A friendly and welcoming staff."

Having gone into drama teaching before branching into acting, directing and theatre management, Goddard took the helm at Darlington in 1985 after running Leeds Civic Theatre for five years.

He enjoyed meeting and working with many stars at Darlington and says: "Vera Lynn was delightful when she re-opened the theatre after refurbishment and so much enjoyed the reception afterwards that on three occasions she sent away her taxi which kept arriving to take her to her hotel.

"Ken Dodd was a regular visitor, always giving very long performances. On one occasion he had agreed to meet the manager of a hotel in Hartlepool whom I escorted to Ken's dressing room around midnight after the show had finished. We were still in Ken's dressing room at 2am after Ken had regaled his audience of two with many more stories and jokes. Indeed, I usually found the bigger the star, the more helpful and courteous they were. Howard Keel was exceptionally pleasant to deal with and his only request was a chair in the foyer so he could sit and sign autographs and talk to his fans."

Having kept audiences at record levels, and seen the Civic celebrate its 80th anniversary. Goddard moved on to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

He says: "Darlington was a stepping stone in my career, but it was also a difficult place to leave. I was very happy there, enjoyed the support of excellent staff and found the whole experience very rewarding. However, the opportunity to run a larger theatre, operated as an independent trust, was too good to miss.

"You ask about my thoughts on the future of theatre. Providing theatre continues to adapt, it will still be there in 100 years. After all, theatre has been around for centuries and has survived by continually changing and adapting to the times. Finally, to return to my move to Wolverhampton, where the theatre was operated as a trust with a board of eight directors. When I took over as chief executive attendances had fallen to around 190,000 per annum. Within two years I was able to raise attendances to around 330,000 per annum, by again following a policy of booking popular shows and efficient and careful marketing.

"Also from a reserve fund of nil - the success of the theatre eventually resulted in a reserve fund of £1.1m by the time of my retirement. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre became a home for major West End musicals such as Cats, Chicago and Dr Doolittle; international ballet and opera companies from countries such as Russia and Poland as well as West End plays and the UK's longest running pantomime.

"My wife and I are now enjoying a quieter life in rural Brittany. We had friendly and welcoming neighbours; indeed British people are made to feel very welcome in Brittany. We enjoy the quieter roads and lack of litter, and we are also only 15 minutes from the nearest beach and a truly superb coastline. We enjoy many marvellous walks, either in the countryside or on the beaches with our young golden retriever Freddie and, of course, do enjoy the occasional glass of wine!"