About the theatre... (written on 6 July 2004)
"Founded in September 2000 by its present artistic director Mehmet Ergen, the Arcola began life in a converted textile factory on the borders of Stoke Newington and Dalston, one of London’s most deprived areas with the highest concentration of artists living anywhere in Europe, yet no venue to give that creative output space and support.
Today our spacious premises boast one of London’s largest and most adaptable fringe spaces.
Arcola Theatre consistently aims to create and present theatre performances and events of high quality with a social, economical and political relevance not only to a general audience but also in particular to its multi-cultural community in which we take an active involvement.
In just three years Arcola has become one of the country’s fastest growing fringe venues. Awarded a Peter Brook Empty Space Award for the second year running; a number of our productions have made Time Out Critic’s Choice, and some of the U.K’s best new writers and directors (John Retallack, Bonnie Greer and David Farr to name but a few) have injected considerable time and energy into productions.
Every show maintains consistently high standards of social accessibility and of gritty, political relevance.
Arcola does not receive regular funding from any organisation and at present the vast majority of our staff are working on a voluntary basis: they come as theatre professionals who are giving up their valuable time and energy to help a project they strongly believe in."
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