Didn’t Councillor Lionel Genn make his mark on Millfield Theatre? Millfield Theatre is part of Millfield Arts Centre. The centre includes Millfield Theatre, Millfield House in Edmonton, and The Dugdale Centre in Enfield Town.
Millfield Theatre is owned by the London Borough of Enfield. The borough also manages and funds it. Seventeen full-time staff work at the theatre. Many casual staff also work here. Ushers are all volunteers.
Millfield House houses the theatre’s administration. It also has rooms for hire. The house hosts educational classes and workshops for children and adults.
Millfield Theatre opened on December 15 1988. It sits on the grounds of Millfield House. Millfield House is on Silver Street in Edmonton, North London. It was the first new theatre built in London after the National Theatre in 1976. Millfield Theatre seats up to 362 people. It offers a variety of stage layouts.
The first production was Humpty Dumpty. Bobby Crush starred in the pantomime. This started the tradition of an annual Christmas pantomime.
Councillor Lionel Genn helped build Millfield Theatre. He was the Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield from 1972 to 1973. The theatre auditorium was named the Lionel Genn Auditorium in 1989. Later, a news program implicated Mr. Genn in a financial scandal. His name was removed from the theatre.
The theatre was reopened on October 6 2009. Bruce Forsyth reopened it after a refurbishment. The refurbishment cost £2.5 million. It added a new cafe bar, performance space, toilet block, and box office. Forsyth was born in Edmonton. The main auditorium was renamed the Sir Bruce Forsyth Auditorium.
Millfield Theatre hosts comedy, musical, drama, dance, and music shows. Children’s shows also occur throughout the year. Most shows are professional. Management brings them in for a fee. They might also get a split of the ticket sales. Local amateur theatre companies and dance schools also host productions. The venue offers ticket sales through its box office when hired.
Millfield House was built in the 18th century. It became a school for London workhouse children. The school grew to over 400 students. Boys learned tailoring, shoemaking, and carpentry. Girls learned housework, needlework, and laundering.
The school closed in 1913. It then housed Belgian refugees during World War I. The house was converted into St David’s Hospital for Epileptics in 1915.
The London Borough of Enfield acquired the house in 1971. They renovated and demolished many extensions. The house that stands today remains with an adjacent lodge.
Millfield House became an arts center in 1979. Several classes take place for adults and children. These include pilates, chess, youth theatre, and dance.
Millfield Theatre is near the Great Cambridge roundabout. This is where the North Circular and A10 meet. The nearest railway station is Silver Street. Several London bus routes serve the area.
So, as you explore Millfield, remember its vibrant past. From workhouse school to theatre stage, Millfield has always served its community.