Mantra takes the stage as arts and entertainment partners

As any touring performer knows, moving interstate for work means packing your suitcase for several months (or years!) and living in what is known in the industry as ‘Company Accommodation’. Making a new apartment your home away from home every few months is not the easiest of tasks, but Mantra Hotels are planning on helping artists across the nation do just that as they forge partnerships with major Arts and Entertainment industry brands.

The most recent partnership is with the acclaimed Diamond Anniversary Australasian Tour of The Mousetrap, which opened in Brisbane last night.

The show’s production team, cast and crew will make Mantra South Bank their home throughout the season at QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre just as they did at Mantra on the Park in Melbourne and Mantra on Northbourne in Canberra during their seasons in the southern capitals.

“The Mantra Apartment properties provide a great opportunity for our companies to feel as much at home as possible as they tour the country” said Producer Louise Withers, praising the partnership for benefitting the company both commercially and personally.

Mantra’s Beau Keller who heads up the Sport & Entertainment sales portfolio, told AussieTheatre that the Mantra Arts Partnerships began several years ago, but that his personal interest in the arts has helped develop the idea into a more solid model.

“Mantra have always been supportive of touring shows around Australia” he said.

“I guess since I have come on board the fact that I love theatre and seeing shows helps because I have been able to break down the correct door and speak to the right people to get the accommodation partnerships contracts all started.”

Keller explained that while the main partnership involve Mantra accommodating cast and crew and management team, they also assist with “in kind” marketing of the shows.

“For The Mousetrap we have porters, key wallets and book marks all printed and distrubuted through the regions hotels well in advance of the show, as well as other inside hotel features such as tv showing ads for the shows”, he said.

To date, Mantra Hotels have provided full sponsorship, marketing and accommodation partnerships with major productions such as, MAMMA MIA!, Hairspray, the English National Ballet and Global Creatures’ How To Train Your Dragon.

The relationship with Global Creatures will continue in 2013 when Mantra will accommodate cast and crew for War Horse and King Kong. Other cast and crew accommodation partnerships have also been forged with Cirque du Soleil, Moonshadow and Annie the Musical in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra. With hotels located in all capital cities, Mantra is well placed to accommodate national touring productions.

“Mantra hopes to become the 1st choice for current producers and directors to use us as accommodation provider when they are putting together tours around Australia because our hotels are perfect for long stay guests”, Keller said.

Mantra’s Arts and Entertainment partnerships don’t end with the performers and crew – as official accommodation partner for The Mousetrap, Mantra is also offering Brisbane theatre goers ticket and accommodation packages.

The Mousetrap will play at The Playhouse, QPAC until 20 January

Visit themousetrap.com.au for more details and tickets

Visit mantra.com.au for accommodation packages