Curtain goes up on late drinks battle for Park Theatre

ISLINGTON’S artistic community will take on the Town Hall next week when the first new ­theatre in the borough for 30 years applies to have a late-night drinking licence.

The Park Theatre, in Finsbury Park, which is due to open its curtains next year, says the licence is essential for its survival – it receives no arts funding and is backed entirely by private individuals.

Dozens of actors, writers, photographers, television producers and artists have written in support of the application, as well as Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North.

But the police have said they will object to the licence. In a letter to the licensing committee, Detective Superintendent Adrian Usher said: “The venue is situated in the Finsbury Park ward, a locality where there is traditionally high crime and disorder and there are concerns that this application will cause further policing problems in an already demanding area.”

The council’s noise team has also expressed concern.

Jez Bond, artistic director of the theatre, in Clifton Terrace, hopes it will become an “artistic hub” for the area. It has a 200-seat main theatre and 90-seat studio. However, he wants the bar to be able to serve alcohol and play music until 2am at weekends. 

His application is also to allow for the performance of plays and films up to 11pm. “The Park Theatre’s mission is to be a welcoming, vibrant home for the local community and beyond, providing entertainment that challenges perceptions and enables people to build a new tradition of theatre,” he said.

Mr Bond added: “Finances are very tight. Furthermore, given the current state of affairs with the arts sector... times are getting tougher every day. 

“It is obvious that the success of the café-bar element of the building, and the ability to generate additional income here, will be key to the financial viability of the theatre.”

In his corner is Islington’s media elite, including actor Ian Barritt, who appeared in the recent remake of Upstairs Downstairs as well as having roles in Dr Who, Foyle’s War and Midsommer Murders. 

“It will be a great benefit for a part of the borough which currently has very little cultural provision,” he said. 

Katy Fattuhi, director of Creative Islington, which is based at the Pleasance Theatre, in Holloway, also added her support, as did actor Roger Barclay, who appeared in The Secret Life of a Call Girl, and fine art picture framers John Jones, based near the theatre in Stroud Green Road, as well as a host of other artists, writers and actors.

Mr Bond told the Tribune that the café-bar was vital to the survival of the theatre.

“I’ve had discussions with Marcus Davey of the Roundhouse in Camden and late-night drinking licences are key in terms of business sustainability,” he said. “Culture has a price. Bums on seats, without any subsidy – which we don’t receive yet – just isn’t going to pay the bills.”

He added that the ­theatre has overwhelming support from its neighbours and he believes it will be a key venue in the regeneration of Finsbury Park, which is a stated aim of the council. 

“We will be producing new writing, as well as classics and a traditional family pantomime at Christmas,” he said.

Published: 15th July, 2011
by ANDREW JOHNSON