College to lead a step change at The Broadway Theatre

7th July 2015

Barking & Dagenham College, in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council, will lead a cultural and creative step-change at the Broadway Theatre in an agreement which has seen the management of this local community theatre pass to the College.

An enhanced creative and cultural programme will be designed to create a richer mix of opportunities for local people of all ages to engage with, including partnerships with leading arts organisations such as the world-renowned Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

The Theatre will continue to offer a professional theatre programme, including pantomime, Christmas shows, family shows and drama, as part of an enhanced programme of training courses, performances, events, workshops, talks, and competitively priced workspaces for creative businesses.

The Broadway Theatre is home to the College’s School for the Performing Arts & Technical Theatre and has produced famous alumni including the movie and TV actor Idris Elba, and West End performer and recording artist, Shaun Escoffery.

Cathy Walsh OBE, Principal and CEO at Barking & Dagenham College explained the opportunity that lies ahead:

“The Broadway has been part of this community since 1962. There now exists an opportunity for us to help shape a Creative Industries Enterprise Zone in Barking, with the Broadway and our strategic local partners, central to this vision. WE can engage and develop local talent to tap into one of the 25% of all the jobs in the Capital in the Creative Industries, WHILST attracting more local people to the Theatre."

Sean Gregory, Director of Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning added:

“We are delighted to be working with Barking & Dagenham College to develop plans for this new cultural and creative opportunity. London is a global centre for the creative industries, the Barbican and the Guildhall School are already working across east London, and we can now expand that work further into Barking and Dagenham.”

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of the Council, and Cabinet Member for the Arts, said:

“With the new management in place I am looking forward to seeing some great acts treading the boards at the Broadway Theatre. This news is just another part of our wide drive to create a real buzz about Barking becoming the cultural hub of east London.”