Bermondsey’s most historic couple will be the stars of Southwark Playhouse’s brand new 300 seater theatre as it opens its doors to audiences later this month.
Bermondsey Revolution will be running for three nights between 26 and 28 January telling the story of social reformers Ada and Alfred Salter presented through an immersive Brechtian experience.
This new theatre off Newington Butts does not mean their Newington Causeway theatre is shut and what’s more Southwark Playhouse have plans to open yet another theatre in London Bridge
The term is used in the world of theatre to describe a style that is not realistic just suggestive, with minimal props and brightly lit staging. Director John Whelan explained: “The reason we went Brechtian was it allowed us more possibilities to involve a bigger cast, 21 community members, allowing them to shine. It also allowed us musical numbers and audience participation.”
For those living or having lived in Bermondsey or Rotherhithe the names Ada and Alfred Salter are well-known. Salter Road and school are named after them. The Rose Garden is Southwark Park overlooking the lake is named after Ada. The statues of Alfred, Ada, their daughter Joyce and her cat are fixtures on the riverfront by the Angel pub on Bermondsey Wall East and a plague by the escalators at Bermondsey Tube Station proudly announces that the family home and Dr Alfred Salter’s surgery once stood on the spot.
As MP for the area between 1922 and 1945 Alfred Salter with his wife is responsible for the huge slum clearance in the 1930s that saw many of the area’s council estates built and a programme of health that included lavish public baths constructed on Grange Road. But it came with a huge personal sacrifice for the family as the couple’’s only daughter Joyce died of scarlet fever aged just eight, as the disease was rife in the poverty-stricken industrial area of that time.
Celebrating the life of Ada Salter, a pioneer and social reformer
Ada perhaps does not get the recognition that her husband enjoyed, but is a woman that is best known for the Bermondsey Uprising of 1911 and establishing the Beautification Committee in 1920 which saw 9,000 trees planted and still standing in the area. She was the first female mayor of Bermondsey and London.
Trees will take centre stage in the new theatre in the newly built Uncle building on Dante Road at the Elephant & Castle’s southern end.
“The significance of the trees is because the play is set in the future,” John explained. “In a post-climate-changing world, in a carbon-capture future, but all we be explained when you come to the show.“
John, a Bermondsey resident, is the director of the playhouse’s community company. He founded People’s Company in 2014 to give local people the chance to explore acting, designing, directing, lighting and all things theatre related. Delighted to be centre stage for the opening their first purpose theatre, John said the future is bright for Southwark Playhouse.
“We are really excited to showcase the Bermondsey Revolution as part of the opening of the brand new Southwark Playhouse,” he told the News.
“Especially, as the Salters who transformed Bermondsey in the 1920’s believed in bringing art, creativity and beautification to the people of Bermondsey. Just as today, this new theatre is bringing this to modern day Southwark with a brand new theatre. In a way we are part of their continuing revolution in a contemporary Southwark”.
Southwark Playhouse was established some 30 years ago when the borough was not the theatrical wonderland it is today. Seen as one of the best on the London fringe circuit the playhouse has occupied three temporary buildings and this new theatre will provide them finally with the much sought-after security they have craved – with a 125-year lease at a sustainable rent.
They were originally in a space off a small courtyard on Southwark Street, before moving to arches under London Bridge Station and then to their current home in Newington Causeway. The Newington Causeway theatre is far from shut and what’s more they have plans to open yet another theatre in London Bridge.
Southwark Playhouse will continue to operate its current ‘temporary’ venue featuring two theatre spaces on Newington Causeway, now renamed Southwark Playhouse Borough, for at least until 2026. This is while it awaits completion of a second purpose-built theatre at London Bridge. The planned theatre, Southwark Playhouse London Bridge, will be located at the site of the Colechurch House right by the foot of the bridge, and was given planning permission in September last year. It will incorporate two flexible theatre spaces.
https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/southwark-playhouse-could-get-new-10m-venue-near-london-bridge/
Chris Smyrnios, Artistic Director and CEO of Southwark Playhouse told the News: “Conceived in 2006, this theatre has been a long time in the making, having survived multiple developers, the 2008 credit crunch and a pandemic.
“Finally, we’ll be able to firmly plant our roots in this amazing and vibrant borough that we call home; we’ll be able to showcase even more work by the best new and emerging theatre artists and practitioners; and offer further opportunities for local people to discover and participate in theatre and the arts.
“And we are so pleased to be opening our new building with two brilliant productions by our community companies.”
The News got to visit the brand new theatre at the end of last year for a private tour, where we saw their main auditorium with reconfigurable seating allowing smaller and larger shows for up to 310 people.
There is also a studio space to ensure even more community and participation work can take place. As well as snazzy new dressing rooms and unisex toilets the playhouse on the ground floor of the Uncle Building houses a large bar area and airy new café open to theatre goers as well as the general public not partaking in a show.
What is showing at the new Southwark Playhouse?
The Wind in the Willows by Alan Bennett
Adapted from the book by Kenneth Grahame
Performances:
Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 January 2023
Evening performances start at 7.45pm
Saturday matinee at 2.30pm
Ticket Prices:
£12.50 / £10 concessions
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Bermondsey Revolution
by John Whelan
Performances:
Thursday 26 – Saturday 28 January 2023
Evening performances start at 7.45pm
Post Show Event
Saturday 28 January 2023 (30 minutes) Complimentary event with admission.
Post show discussion on how the play was devised with Graham Taylor, author of Ada Salter Pioneer of Ethical Socialism’
Ticket Prices:
£12.50 / £10 concessions
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The Walworth Farce
by Enda Walsh
Performances:
Friday 17 February – Saturday 18 March 2023 Monday to Saturday at 7.45pm Thursday and Saturday Matinee performances at 2.30pm
Press Night Performance Friday 24 February 2023 at 7.45pm Accessible Performances BSL Performance: Thursday 2 March 2023 at 7.45pm – Provided by TheatreSign Captioned Performance: Friday 10 March 2023 at 7.45pm – Provided by StageText Audio Described Performance: Saturday 11 March 2023 at 2.30pm – Provided by VocalEyes Ticket Prices Pioneers’ Preview (17 February 2023):
Tickets Prices:
£7.50 Previews (18 – 23 February 2023): All tickets £16 From 24 February 2023: £28 Standard / £22.50 concessions Concession tickets not available on Friday and Saturday evenings
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Go to Southwark Playhouse website HERE
