How the revamped CPT could look

A THEATRE is having its first makeover in 25 years after being awarded Arts Council funding.

The Camden People’s Theatre, on the corner of Drummond Street and Hampstead Road, Euston, will start work on its refurbishment next summer.

There had been complaints about sound starting to bleed between rehearsal rooms and some obstructed sight lines.

The project will also increase capacity.

Kaya Stanley-Money, the theatre’s executive director, said: “After 25 years in loveable but increasingly ramshackle premises, we now have the opportunity to transform our spaces and unlock the full capacity of this unique building.”

The theatre is close to the HS2 construction site which will run to Euston and has caused huge disruption for residents and businesses.

That story was brought to its stage in the show Human Jam earlier this year. The theatre now hopes it will be an important civic site which will help the community.

Human Jam told the story of how work on the HS2 railway has turned life around Euston upside down

A workspace hub for entrepreneurs and rooms for inter-faith groups is planned for the upper three floors, while a new café will be fitted out on the ground floor.

The theatre, which has received a £250,000 grant, said it wanted to continue its presence as “an alternative, radical, community-focused theatre in an area directly under threat from developers”.

Architects De Matos Ryan, whose portfolio boasts the V&A children’s museum, are working on the designs. Further funding applications are in the pipeline and supporters have been asked for donations to help. A birthday gala will be held at the theatre on Tuesday.

Ms Stanley-Money said: “This project will bring the flexibility essential to a truly sustainable organisation and ensure that we can continue to grow and evolve for another 25 years and beyond. It is, in short, the best birthday present we could have wished for.”

She added: “What we’ve done over the last few months is to co-design a series of workshops to encourage collaboration between some of our local artists and community members.”

The Camden Youth Theatre has been contributing ideas for murals and other street projects as part of the refurbishment.

“This theatre is for [the youth in the commun­ity],” said Ms Stanley-Money. “They’re the people who we want to run it in the future. There’s no point in creating something that isn’t going to inspire them. That’s the point of community theatre”.

And commenting on the HS2 work and the threat to the area, she added: “We work closely with the traders, trying to make sure they survive this period, using this space as a beacon to encourage people to come down the street to explore this part of London.”

Amy Lamé, London’s Night Czar and alumnus of CPT, said: “For 25 years this inspiring theatre has played a key role in developing talent and entertaining the community, and this transformation will help even more Londoners benefit.”