Finsbury Park is set to become a centre for culture in north London, according to a board member from the new £2.2m Park Theatre on Clifton Terrace.
The theatre reached its fundraising goal last month with a star-studded gala at Shakespeare’s Globe hosted by Sir Ian McKellen, and doors are expected to open for the first ever show early next year.
Award-winning producer and board member Danielle Tarento is no stranger to ambitious theatre projects, after opening the hugely successful Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark in 2004.
Ms Tarento said that the time is right for Finsbury Park to reap the benefits of the multi-million pound development. It will work with Islington community theatre to offer classes and workshops for children to help introduce them to drama.
“The thing about Finsbury Park and the neighbouring area is that there are more actors and theatre creators per capita than there are anywhere else in London.
“I think they’re all crying out to have something on their doorstep. There hasn’t been a theatre in Finsbury Park for almost half a century.”
She added that theatre-goers would not be put off by the location, far though it may be from the West End.
“I’m a big believer that if you build it they will come. It always feels like you pick up your passport and get your inoculations and head off into the North, but actually you can get there quicker than you can to the Royal Court Theatre [in Sloane Square].”
Former Eastenders star and local resident Tamzin Outhwaite said: “As a young person, if you’ve got somewhere like Park Theatre on your doorstep, there will be so many things to gain from that.
“I’m really keen to ensure that young people where I live have better access to facilities that can help build their confidence, self-esteem and help them grow into responsible, free thinking members of society.”
