Broadway Theatre in Barking

The trust which has managed the Broadway Theatre for the last nine years has left, following the council’s decision to withdraw its funding.

As of last Thursday, the professional theatre in Barking is being managed by the authority, together with Barking and Dagenham College. It is expected this arrangement will remain in place until next spring when a new trust will be formed to manage the venue.

Barking and Dagenham council made the decision to withdraw the theatre’s entire £331,000 annual grant earlier this year, much to the dismay of the Broadway Theatre Trust’s former management team and many residents.

Confident

The council, which refurbished the building in 2003 at the cost of £4.4million, must keep the theatre open for the use of Barking and Dagenham College due to contractual obligations.

Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Liam Smith, said: “We are really confident that by introducing new ways of working at this popular theatre we will be able to broaden its appeal and create new local audiences.”

College principal, Cathy Walsh, said: “This new and constructive way of working is challenging us to take a more robust and innovative approach to integrating learning experiences into the creative management of a venue.”

As a result, we are helping redefine a new model for the running of the theatre.”

Fully confirmed details of the Broadway’s new season will be announced soon.