BH Live has announced a new partnership that will place Fairfield Halls at the heart of Croydon’s thriving community theatre scene.
Fairfield Halls, situated in Croydon’s cultural quarter, is currently closed for a £30 million refurbishment to carry out essential improvements and bring the iconic 1962 venue into the 21st century as a world-class culture, arts, entertainment and events venue.
When the venue reopens, award-winning and inclusive Savvy Theatre Company will deliver weekly classes and performances from Fairfield Halls. Savvy will also support the venue’s operator, BH Live, in promoting access for all and its community arts programme.
Savvy has been creating unique and accessible theatre experiences in Croydon and the surrounding area for more than ten years. It is committed to developing innovative, ensemble-based arts projects that engage with local communities. Everyone is welcome regardless of ability or background.
“Our partnership with Savvy is fantastic news for Fairfield Halls and for Croydon, says Fairfield Halls’ Venue Director, Neil Chandler.
“Savvy has an incredibly talented team. The opportunity to work with them and support their future growth of community theatre is a superb fit with our ambition to create a thriving cultural venue for all and welcome more people into Fairfield Halls.”
Founder of Savvy and Artistic Director, Sheree Vickers adds, “We are so excited by this partnership and for supporting the vision of ensuring the community has a sense of ownership in this new cultural venue. Fairfield Halls is an incredible space with so much opportunity for creative work and we are looking forward to developing our exciting and accessible, participatory theatre programme.”
Croydon Council Leader Tony Newman said: “This is great news for Fairfield and for Croydon.
“Savvy Theatre Company has delivered some really exciting community productions in the borough. Their interactive production in the town centre last year was a huge success and we will be delighted to welcome them to Croydon’s flagship venue, the newly revamped Fairfield Halls, when it opens.
“With their strong track record in delivering theatre that is both innovative and inclusive we look forward to the creative opportunities this will offer residents of all ages and abilities.”
More information about Savvy’s community programme at Fairfield Halls will be released next year.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Photo-caption:
Photo credit: Andrew Hyldon
- Caption: 2017 Christmas Production, ‘A Night of Arabian Tales’
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055562
For more information about the Savvy Theatre Company please contact:
Sheree Vickers, Artistic Director
E: sheree@savvytheatre.co.uk
T: 07748 040 614
About BH Live
BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
With 3.4 million visits a year and over £39 million turnover we are changing lives and are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2016/17 we had 2.9 million leisure centre attendances, hosted more than 500 events and sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment event tickets. We also welcomed 100,000 conference and exhibition delegates into our venues. This contributed an estimated £44 million to the local economy through business and cultural tourism.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk
Get social with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls has been Croydon’s principle cultural venue for over 50 years. It is currently undergoing a £30m refurbishment and is part of an overarching masterplan to develop a cultural quarter for the town and re-establish the iconic status of the venue at the heart of the community.
The building will operate as a multi-purpose venue with a concert hall, theatre, meeting rooms, café, restaurants and performance spaces.
Together with adjoining hospitality areas it can accommodate concerts, cultural events, musicals, theatre productions, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, retail catering, restaurants and banquets. The venue will deliver a broad mix of music, dance, opera, comedy, light entertainment, community and corporate events.
The London Borough of Croydon’s ambition is to develop a centre for arts, culture, entertainment and community participation – BH Live has been selected as the preferred operator to deliver this vision.