New stage space Park Theatre throws open its doors in Finsbury Park
Ian McKellen, Maureen Lipman and Tim Piggot Smith at the Park Theatre's Gala
“Britain, 2013. Times are hard, but the money’s still out there if you know where to look and are prepared to gamble.”
So reads the tag line of The Thing About Psychopaths, the first play to be put on at Park90, one of two new theatrical spaces about to open in Finsbury Park.
The brand new Park Theatre really did have to know where to look to find the funding for a new arts space. Without arts subsidies the brains behind the theatre had to find what private money there is still out there.
But with supporters and ambassadors including Celia Imrie, Ian McKellen, Alan Rickman and Tamzin Outhwaite its profile is already high, as it has generated interest both in North London and the theatrical industry.
The two spaces that form part of the new playhouse are Park200, an auditorium on two levels for 200 seated people, and Park90, a flexible space for between 80 to 100 people. The Park Theatre will also have a café bar with a late licence and The Morris Space designed for rehearsals and educational programmes.
The official opening is on Monday 8 May with the inaugural season of shows including four UK premieres, as well as both classic revivals and contemporary plays.
The ambitious opening season of theatre includes wonderfully diverse programming, from the UK premiere of 2007’s Yellow Face, tackling race in America, to the world premiere of Daytona, a love story full of mystery and humour, which stars Maureen Lipman. For all productions the theatre is committed to bringing their performances to as wide an audience as possible, and a limited number of £12 tickets are available on Tuesdays and for locals living in N4.
This exciting new theatre, located two minutes from Finsbury Park tube, will focus and encourage local arts participation whilst having quality writing and productions to further enhance the blossoming theatrical scene in North London.
Park Theatre
Clifton Terrace
Finsbury Park, N4 3JP
020 7870 6876