Mountview returns to Crouch End with plans to revitalise Hornsey Town Hall
Tuesday, 20 September 2011 11:13
Today Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts warmly welcomed the decision by Haringey Council to back plans for it to move to a new home in the Hornsey Town Hall in 2016/17.
The proposals envisage Mountview, currently based in Wood Green, re-locating to the Town Hall as part of a major capital project intended to create world-class facilities for this key cultural enterprise, sensitively restoring the significant Grade II* listed building and contributing to the revitalisation and economic prosperity of the area. The move will signal Mountview's return to Crouch End where it has its roots.
Working closely with the Local Authority, Mountview would take responsibility for the refurbishment of the building and its day-to-day running with a vibrant programme of arts training and events whilst ensuring continued public access and offering a wide range of education and community activities. Two new theatre spaces would provide a rich and diverse range of student, professional and community productions for the public to enjoy supported by talks, workshops, part-time courses and special projects.
Sandy Orr OBE, Chairman of Mountview, said
"This is excellent news. A cultural regeneration project of this scale will bring investment, vitality and opportunity to the borough, building on Mountview's successful track record as a significant and sustainable arts enterprise of local, national and international reach with direct links to the professional arts industry.
It places Mountview back at the heart of Crouch End from where it can expand its already successful programme of community engagement, reaching out to all parts of the locality. We are grateful to Haringey Council and the Hornsey Town Hall Creative Trust for having the vision to see what can be achieved and for working with us to reach this important milestone."
Sue Robertson, Principal of Mountview, said
"These plans will bring Mountview back to Crouch End, stronger than ever, in stunning new premises. The proposals would allow us to develop new courses, strengthen our links with the professional theatre world and extend our education and community programme across Haringey. Most importantly, it will enable everyone – students, visitors and the local community – to enjoy this beautiful landmark building once again, bringing it back to life with renewed energy and purpose for present and future generations. There is much work to be done but this is a major step towards achieving shared goals and a project everyone can be proud of."
Mountview has taken extensive high quality professional advice to reach this initial stage in relation to architectural plans, fundraising strategy and potential programme of activities, working closely with the Council and the Trust, and has concluded that this ambitious project is viable, sustainable and desirable. It has benefited from the work of award-winning architects, Bennetts Associates, responsible for the recently opened Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon which transformed and extended the existing art deco theatre.
A full launch of the plans will take place later in 2011 prior to submitting a fresh planning application for the site and seeking formal approval from English Heritage.
Editors' Notes:
- Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts is one of the UK's leading drama schools, currently based in Wood Green in the London Borough of Haringey. It is a not-for-profit organisation, a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Established in 1945, it was initially run as a drama club based in Crouch End. It now has around 400 undergraduate and postgraduate students, projected to rise to 600 by 2015, studying on courses validated by the University of East Anglia (UEA) or Middlesex University and accredited by the National Council of Drama Training, along with a wide range of part-time, community and education projects.
- Mountview currently offers courses in Acting, Musical Theatre and Production Arts (sound, lighting, design, construction and stage management). It also runs a thriving education, community and widening participation programme, including an evening Foundation Course, part-time courses, Saturday workshops for children, Summer Schools and other special projects designed for particular age or interest groups. It has 65 permanent staff and a larger number of freelance and visiting tutors, many of them practitioners from the theatre and arts industry.
- The overall costs of the refurbishment project are currently estimated at around £19 million. A contribution from the sale of surrounding land to a residential developer will be invested by Haringey Council with the remainder coming from Mountview and its fund-raising campaign.
- The aim is for Mountview to move in to the newly-refurbished Town Hall in Summer 2016.
- Mountview will be the sole tenant with responsibility for the management and maintenance of the building with a 125 year lease at a peppercorn rent.
- For further information contact Matthew Turnbull, Director of Marketing on (020) 8829 0038 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mountview's Marketing Department: 020 8829 0036
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Clarendon Road, London N22 6XF
