London's newest theatre has opened on the site of a 19th century blacksmiths and stables, more recently housing an unused office building
The Park Theatre has two spaces: the 200-seat theatre has a thrust stage with the audience seated on three sides at stalls and circle levels whilst the 90-seat studio space is entirely flexible offering a full range of configurations. Both venues benefit from natural light and can be used for events during the day.
As well as three dressing rooms and office space, the Park Theatre also has facilities for education events and rehearsals and a large café bar and gallery which will remain open throughout the day
The £2.5 million pound price tag for the new venue has been met through private donations, fund-raising events and the sale of residential apartments above the theatre building. Going forward, it is intended that 70% of the income needed to run the building will come from ticket sales and rent for the spaces and facilities, with the remaining 30% coming from donations.
The force behind the Park Theatre is its artistic director Jez Bond who trained as assistant director at Watford Palace Theatre with a Channel Four Theatre Director Bursary after graduating in drama. He has also been artistic director of Stages International and associate director of Y Touring.
Bond has said of the project, “This area is one of the most culturally engaged parts of the capital, and yet, until now, not served by its own professional theatre.
"Our aim with this new state-of-the-art venue is to bring great theatre to the doorsteps of our local community, and also to attract an audience from across London, with a venue just 15 minutes from the centre of town.”
The theatre's executive producer is Miranda Bertram, who has worked as a commercial manager for the BBC and has a range of producing experience.
David Hughes Architects designed the building which provides 1,200 square metres of theatre use and which was completed last month, on time and on budget. Park Theatre is part of a major regeneration project for Finsbury Park in north London.
The inaugural production for the new venue is These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich directed by Loveday Ingram which runs until 9 June.
For further information and booking visit www.parktheatre.co.uk.