Angel Shed’s production of Very Important People in 2019

ONE of the most inclusive children’s theatres in the country celebrated 20 years of life on stage yesterday (Thursday).

A special party was thrown last night for the past and present community at the Angel Shed – a theatre that doesn’t hold auditions to join – at its base in the City and Islington College in Camden Road, Holloway.

David Mabbott, who started as a facilitator 10 years ago and is now the artistic and executive director, said: “What makes us special is our inclusive ethos. That at the heart of our work, is inclusivity, in terms of everyone is welcome.
“We don’t turn anyone away… we have a pay-what-you-can scheme and about third of our members have special educational needs or are disabled.”

The theatre teaches young people between 7 and 19 and has a ratio of around 3 in every 10 members experiencing an additional learning need.

David Mabbott with theatre facilitator Maryam Shaharuddin and volunteer and training manager Maya Shimmin

Among the events planned for last night included dancing, poetry and acting alongside an exhibition of performances and life at the theatre since it began life in 2004. Patrons Steven Kavuma, director of the Seven Dials Playhouse, and MP Jeremy Corbyn were expected to make speeches.

The Angel Shed was started by the Chickenshed Theatre in Barnet, which celebrates its 50th year this year – and won Alesha Dixon’s golden buzzer in family TV favourite Britain’s Got Talent last year.

The theatre has grown from two weekly sessions to five, and has expanded its age range up to 19. It has also broadened its work within the community to reach families who are less likely to attend classes at the school, such as refugees who are frequently moved from one temporary location to another.

They also work with pupils in a deaf unit and attend sessions at the Richard Cloudesley special needs school.

Young people on the Andover estate have been enjoying workshops with the theatre college at their local youth club, while cared for children are also referred to their services.

Describing the theatre’s enduring popularity and con­tin­uation through the hard times of Covid, Mr Mabbott said: “There are so many barriers for children and young people to access the performing arts and these kinds of opportunities, and so the demand is there. But I think with the the declining provision of performing arts in schools, there are few opportunities for creative output for children and young people. And even in those opportunities that are there, the barriers for those who would find it more difficult to access are often there too.

“So we provide that support.”