The Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, London

Bridewell Theatre is a small theatre based in Blackfriars in London. It is operated as part of the St Bride Foundation Institute, named after nearby St Bride's Church on Fleet Street.[1][2][3] Established in 1994 by Carol Metcalfe after being converted from a disused swimming pool, it went on to become a staple venue and company producing fringe theatre productions in central London. Formerly occupied by the Bridewell Theatre's own theatre company, it became a staple theatre in the development and introduction of Stephen Sondheim's works in the UK, facilitating the world premiere of his production Saturday Night in 1997.[4]

In 2004 the theatre faced closures after struggling to fund productions in such a small theatre.[5] Fortunately the money that was raised by an appeal to its audience plus funding provided by the Corporation of London and Arts Council England helped the theatre to sign a new lease.[6] Since 2012, the Bridewell's resident theatre company has been the pre-eminent London Amateur Dramatics Society, Sedos (Stock Exchange Dramatic and Operatic Society).

The theatre is also used by a number of London Amateur Dramatic Societies, including Tower Theatre, Centre Stage London, Festoon Theatre Company and Geoids Musical Theatre producing full-scale musicals like Spring Awakening, Bonnie and Clyde and Holiday Inn.

References

  1. ↑ The Cathedral of Fleet Street Archived February 28, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (St Bride's Church) accessed 5 June 2008
  2. ↑ History Archived 2 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine (St Bride Library) accessed 5 June 2008
  3. ↑ Collections (St Bride Library) accessed 5 June 2008
  4. ↑ "London Hears Sondheim's Long-Lost Saturday Night". Playbill.com. 1998.
  5. ↑ "London's Bridewell Theatre Company to Leave Home". Playbill. 2004.
  6. ↑ "Passion". British Theatre Guide. 2004.

51°30′49″N 0°06′18″W / 51.5135°N 0.1050°W / 51.5135; -0.1050


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