The last year has been challenging for us here at Redbridge Theatres, as Kenneth More Theatre was temporarily closed in 2024 due to Raac in our auditorium (a lightweight concrete used in mid-20th century construction).
At the same time this was also unfortunately found in South Woodford Library and gym, so they upped and moved into Redbridge Drama Centre, meaning we became an even more multi-purpose building!
Our little centre became home to not only two theatres, six studios, an editing suite and a dressing room but also a library, fitness suite and a new mirrored dance studio.
I’m proud to say that as a team, we’re not the types to sit back, close our doors and put our feet up – we find new ways of working and adjusting. The show must go on!
Although the auditorium at Kenneth More Theatre is currently out of action while works are happening, the foyer and bar are still open and buzzing with activity.
It is now being used for a wide variety of functions and events including vaccinations, Dance for Fitness and even pop-up clothes swaps!
We couldn’t let December go by without Pantomime, so the Creative team produced Pop Up Panto which toured local primary schools, and other Vision venues around the borough such as Foxburrows Farm at Hainault Forest.
Audiences loved it – and I’m so pleased to announce bookings for Pop Up Panto 2026 will be open soon and touring even more venues than last year!
Our usual Summer Spectacular show was moved to March this year and more importantly, a move of venue to Sir James Hawkey Hall in Woodford!
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was our second Redbridge Creates Theatre Company production to be performed in this space, after a very successful production of Oliver! in 2018.
With the help of our good friend Doug Hunt who runs his own sound and lighting company, Hawkey Hall was fitted with a lighting rig, tiered seating and sand effect laminate flooring which looked so realistic I was nervous to tread on it!
It was an incredible transformation, and we’ve had some wonderful feedback from audiences who have said it was better than the West End production!
While work is happening behind the scenes at Kenneth More Theatre, we’re excited to be planning a diverse programme of events and shows for when we can finally reopen.
We would love input from our audiences on what you would like to see on our stage when we reopen, so please email any ideas or suggestions to: kmt@visionrcl.org.uk on pop in for a chat!
- Emily Isaac is Marketing and Box Office manager at Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure.
Share