The original Open Air Theatre at Barra Park West London was built in 1951 as a community led open air venue for music, theatre and dance. The building fell into disrepair and was vandalised beyond repair. The local community raised funds for its reinstatement.

The new buildings form and materials have been carefully chosen to be robust and durable, whilst complimenting the natural park setting. We wanted the structure to possess an abstract, enigmatic quality when viewed across the park and to have sculptural and visual interest even when not in use, as the performance season is quite short.

The superstructure is of pre rusted Cor-ten steel and stone filled gabions. The four steel umbrellas give some protection to the stage and will reflect sound towards the audience. Vertical sheets of steel form the stage backdrop with an angle fin wall forming a “stage wing”. The back of house facilities are within a cubic structure surrounded by stone filled gabions and open onto the stage via a large steel door which also becomes the second stage wing when open.

The existing raked seating and landscape was upgraded. The changing block contains basic backstage accommodation for the performers including a disabled WC and shower, changing facilities, prop store and wing area.

The new building is tough, durable and vandal resistant without being overtly defensive.

The building creates a new focal point within Barra Park which acts as a beacon for the regeneration of the area.

Completed Dec 2004


BARRA PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE

Clients Comments
John McDonnell MP.Chair of the Barra Hall Regeneration Committee

Barra Hall Park is an Edwardian municipal park which was at the centre of local, community life for decades. In 1951 the open air theatre was opened within the park as a venue for local community arts, music, theatre and dance. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the park was neglected and all investment in the park environment was cutback including basic maintenance and even the withdrawal of the park wardens. Rapidly the park environment began to deteriorate. Vandals destroyed the bandstand, rose garden and children’s play areas. The open air theatre fell into disrepair and became unusable on health and safety grounds. The park became a “no go” area, with robberies, muggings and even a murder taking place within it. Barra Hall, a listed community building located within the park, was proposed for sale or demolition by the local council.

In 1998 a group of local residents met to launch the Barra Hall Regeneration Committee, a campaign to reclaim the park and regenerate the park environment and facilities. So far the campaign has been successful in restoring all these facilities and has commenced the restoration and transformation of the hall itself intro a children’s centre and community hall. The open air theatre was a major challenge for the regeneration project as it is not only one of the most prominent physical features of the park but it also was held in such affection by members of the local community. The theatre was found to be one of the most memorable elements that contributed to the attraction of the park in former years. Hence it’s symbolic importance in demonstrating the success of the regeneration of the area to local residents.

The exciting new and inspirational design of the theatre makes a strong and highly visible public statement not only about the continuing momentum of the regeneration project but also about the central role of the arts in regenerating communities. The building itself now features as a work of art in its own right within the park setting. It has provided a new lease of life to local arts initiatives and fostered a sense of pride amongst local residents for their new venue.

Photo of awards evening; client Helen Lawder,s with Tim Goode and Angela Brady of BMA

Photos by Keith Collie