Greenwich Playhouse loses its home of 23 years (From News Shopper)

Greenwich Playhouse loses its home of 23 years

9:39am Tuesday 17th January 2012 in Stage By Mark Chandler

A THEATRE which has entertained the punters for more than 20 years is to close its doors in April.

The Greenwich Playhouse lease is not being renewed and the final curtain will come down on its stay in the High Road on April 10.

A theatre has been based in the building since 1989, and organisers are now in talks with Greenwich Council to find a new home.

Around 15,000 people visit the venue annually to watch up to 14 different shows throughout the year.

Its final performance will be John Webster classic The Duchess of Malfi, produced by the Galleon Theatre Company – based at the theatre since 1995.

Artistic director Alice de Sousa said: “The Greenwich Playhouse and Galleon Theatre Company have over two decades made an immeasurable contribution to our capital’s cultural infrastructure.

“The Greenwich Playhouse is one of London’s most established small scale theatres.

“The work shown at this critically acclaimed venue draws annually from all over the world and the immediate community many, many thousands of people.

“The Greenwich Playhouse has been a platform for celebrating theatrical excellence since 1995, when Galleon Theatre Company became resident.

“It has staged hundreds of high quality theatre productions which have entertained and created work for hundreds of thousands of people.”

A spokesman for building owner Beds and Bars denied that it was closing the theatre to make way for more accommodation during the Olympics.

He said: “The timing is coincidental.

“The fact of the matter is that the lease has come to its end and Beds and Bars gave generous notice that we would not be renewing this.

“We operate 22 sites across Europe and we are building two more. We recently purchased the freehold of Greenwich and like the rest of our estate, we want to be in control of the property we own.”

The Duchess of Malfi runs from February 21 to March 18. Tickets are £13 or £10 for concessions.

To book, call 020 8858 9256, email boxoffice@galleontheatre.co.uk or visit galleontheatre.co.uk