Gemma Okell, director of Blackheath Halls, tells us about bringing art to the community and the theatre’s ‘incredible legacy’
Director Gemma Okell is a “life-long arts enthusiast” responsible for the strategy and operations of the theatre company Blackheath Halls, including programming professional performances.
What is the best thing about working at Blackheath Halls?
Gemma Okell: The variety of events that we get to host here, and therefore the variety of people who visit and use the building.
I love the fact that one day you can be sitting at your desk listening to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsing, and the next day you are busy setting up for a Diwali dinner and dance.
How do you work to bring the arts to local people?
As well as our performance programme, we have regular community projects for all ages, including musical theatre (coming up this Easter for adults and young people), a gospel group, and a weekly Youth Choir, which is free for all participants.
We also offer taster sessions in schools and perform outside the building when we can. We are putting on an outdoor concert at the Garrison Church in Woolwich this summer, where you can sit in the sunshine with a picnic and listen to some amazing music from our community orchestra.
With such a rich history in the community, how do you keep that at the forefront?
Blackheath Halls was originally built in 1895 with funds raised from the local community because they wanted somewhere to rehearse and perform music in their local area. It’s an incredible legacy that we have the same purpose well over 100 years later.
Being at the heart of the Greenwich and Lewisham community is integral to everything we do. The majority of our audiences come from our local boroughs; over 1,000 local residents every year take an active part in our community engagement programme, and many more support us as friends and patrons. The spirit and generosity of the local community steers the venue.
How does it feel to open your doors to new shows and audiences?
Great fun! There is always a buzz when we have big shows and lots of audience members in the building. Our front-of-house team is fantastic at welcoming people to the venue, and we are so lucky in this country that there are many touring artists who create exceptional performances for us all to watch.
What three things are you most excited about coming up this year at Blackheath Halls?
For families, we’re really excited about hosting There’s a Monster in My Show, a live staged production of the book by McFly’s Tom Fletcher.
We have Blackheath-born music icon Marty Wilde here in April with his band The Wildcats playing their greatest hits in a homecoming show.
We’re also looking forward to welcoming South African group Black Umfolosi on their first visit to Blackheath Halls, and we can’t wait for them to fill the Great Hall with their high-energy dance and song.
April also sees many events for families – can you talk us through some of your upcoming events?
We have indeed got a busy April for families! For the very youngest members, I would recommend our fully staged performance of Spot’s Birthday Party, which would be a lovely and gently fun introduction to the theatre for any little one.
The Witch and the Egg uses beautiful shadow puppetry that adults will be as impressed by as young people, the wonderful Let’s All Dance company bring a simple ballet version of Goldilocks that appeals to all ages, and for those who like excitement combined with education, I’d definitely recommend Teach Rex, where you will have the chance to meet a Velociraptor face to face!
For children who prefer to be centre stage themselves, there are still a few places left on our Easter holiday musical theatre course Jukebox Journeys, learning and performing a show in a week, led by West End professionals and supported by Musical Theatre students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ
