Future of Bridewell Theatre secured

Future of Bridewell Theatre secured

Press release.....

Just one month after the Bridewell Theatre Company left its base in EC4, the St Bride Foundation announces the future of the Bridewell Theatre has been secured, thanks to a collaboration between the Stock Exchange Dramatic and Operatic Society (SEDOS) and the Tower Theatre Company.

The Bridewell Theatre, founded in 1994, is one of the few remaining off-West End theatres and a key performing arts venue in the heart of the City with a long-held reputation as a promoter of theatrical talent. After the departure of its resident theatre company, the St Bride Foundation was determined to keep the venue alive and is delighted that the collaboration between SEDOS and the Tower Theatre Company will ensure the continuation of quality performances within the City whilst during the day, this atmospheric venue will be available for conferences and other events.

SEDOS, a highly-regarded city-based group and the oldest amateur dramatic group in London, celebrates its 100th birthday in 2005 and the Bridewell Theatre will be at the heart of its centenary programme which opens with The Voysey Inheritance by Harley Granville Barker (22-26 February). This will be followed by the masterpiece, Stephen Sondheim’s Company, an appropriate choice for a venue so associated with Sondheim work (13-23 April). In June presents The Eurosedos Song Contest 2005: the Live Final, and original, unusual and fun concept by Deryck High.

The other partner in the collaboration is the Tower Theatre Company, which has been entertaining audiences in North London for over 70 years, and which is excited to make The Bridewell it’s new temporary home for the next eighteen months or so while it remains in transit to a new permanent home. It is a unique operation being the only full-time non-professional company in London, staging some 18 productions a year that compete with the best of the professional London fringe. The Tower’s kicks off its program at The Bridewell with The Fantasticks by Tom Jones with music by Harvey Schmidt (27 April - 7 May) followed by The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance (10 -14 May) and William Shakespeare’s’ ever popular Romeo & Juliet (15 – 21 May).

St Bride Foundation Chief Executive Mike Jenkins comments: “As a community charity, we are thrilled to be able to preserve this cultural gem whilst serving the social and educational needs of the local community and will endeavour to continue the good work that has given The Bridewell Theatre its exemplary reputation.”

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