Opened in 2013, the Park Theatre stands as a beacon for the community. But how did this Finsbury Park theatre come to be? Artistic Director Jez Bond and Creative Director Melli Marie searched for six years. They sought the perfect building. Finally, in 2010, they discovered a vacant office block near Finsbury Park station.
The Park Theatre’s story is one of community support. Theatre luminaries like Ian McKellen and Alan Rickman backed the project. Local residents also lent their support. Together, they raised the necessary funds to transform the tired office building. The cost was £2.6 million. David Hughes designed the new theatre. It opened in May 2013 to rave reviews. The Guardian called it a stunning playhouse.
Park Theatre describes itself as a neighbourhood theatre with global ambition. It offers a mix of new writing, classics, and revivals. The main auditorium, Park200, seats 200. There is also a 90-seat studio theatre called Park90. A rehearsal space and café bar complete the building.
The Park Theatre is unique. Both auditoria have natural light. This can be blacked out electronically. Park200 has a thrust stage. It has fixed seating on three sides. It can also be configured for theatre in the round. Park90 has flexible seating. It can be arranged in many ways. The Morris Space is on the third floor. It is used for workshops and performances.
Early productions at the Park Theatre made a splash. The UK premiere of These Shining Lives featured Honeysuckle Weeks. The world premiere of Oliver Cotton’s Daytona starred Maureen Lipman. It later toured the UK.
The Park Theatre has seen critical and box office successes. New British plays like The Gathered Leaves have been hits. Revivals such as Toast have also drawn crowds. UK premieres of North American plays such as The Boys in the Band were successful. Some productions even transferred to the West End.
Park Theatre supports new writing. Its Script Accelerator programme invites producers to pitch plays. Six are selected each year. The producers get professional advice and working time. They develop the script. Each process ends in a 20-minute presentation. Some scripts have gone on to full productions in Park90.
Park Theatre is also committed to social responsibility. It discounts tickets for local residents and schools. It runs acting classes for local children and adults. The Park Theatre also has a policy of transparency. It uses open-book accounting. This ensures actors are properly paid.
In 2017, Ian McKellen presented a one-man show. He donated all proceeds to the Park Theatre. This significant donation helped the theatre stage more in-house productions.
In 2019, the Park Theatre staged Whodunnit [Unrehearsed]. Celebrity actors donated their time. They performed in a murder mystery without seeing the script. The play sold out every performance. The success was repeated in 2022 and 2024.
So, as you stand before the Park Theatre, remember its journey. From a disused office block to a thriving cultural hub, it stands as a testament to the power of community, art, and ambition.