Brentwood Theatre is an intimate studio theatre based just across the way to those two annoying roundabouts at the top of Brentwood High Street. The theatre, a registered charity, has a warm and friendly atmosphere and for me it always feels as though I am coming home whenever I visit. People come from all over Essex to act here and to be entertained.

The idea for Brentwood Theatre came about fifteen years beforehand from a few local art loving people; John Maynard, the former senior youth worker for Brentwood and manager of the Hermitage site and Peggy Harman, the Chairman of the Brentwood Arts Council. Other key figures were Audrey Longman, a former magistrate and the current Chairman of the Brentwood Theatre, and Margaret Hutton, the County Councillor for Brentwood at the time. Margaret sadly died just months before the theatre was completed.

Together they formed the Brentwood Theatre Trust and dedicated fifteen years to fundraising and realising their dream of a community theatre. John Maynard is still involved, at a distance, but the early days were not a bed of roses.

“At the time Brentwood was the largest town in England without a theatre. I am a fan of live theatre but more than that, I wanted to ensure access to a theatre for young people in the town. The local Arts Council at the time was more concerned with adults than young people and their plans were for a larger theatre suitable for the operatic societies and outside an affordable scale for small amateur groups like youth groups.”

Feeling like the world was against them at times the team continued and despite the odds their dream came true.

“The Council was scared of having to fund a theatre as an ongoing burden. The Arts Council wanted to go it alone at Warley. Essex County Council did not want me to commit the Hermitage site - long term. The planners in Brentwood and at Essex could not agree how to handle the design theme (modern versus traditional). The local amateur dramatic societies wanted a formal theatre with a proscenium arch.”

Audrey told me a few interesting things about the early days.

“Margaret was tremendous, she had loads of contacts and it was because of her the council said yes to a theatre. There was a picture of Margaret, turning the first sod with a shovel in the local press, she really did get down to hard work. We first thought we would convert an old building in Brentwood but after years of unsuccessful searching we decided one would have to be built,” Audrey explained to me. “Then came the years of finding a suitable site.”

Peggy Harman is now 88 and has fond memories of the theatre. Claiming it was initially her idea but sadly not involved with the actual building of the theatre, as she had to drop out after 12 years of fund raising due to “getting too old” and finding it difficult to attend the meetings.

After fifteen years of fund raising, looking at properties to convert, checking out various sites, drawing up and submitting plans, and of course the actual building works being completed, Brentwood Theatre finally opened. The first production was written especially for the theatre, by Ken Campbell, entitled “A Slight Change in the Programme.”

Even then the hard work did not stop, as the local dramatic societies had to be convinced that performing at this new theatre would work. For many years they had been using schools and church halls for their productions. Now many local groups use the theatre, all taking their productions seriously and for most it is more than just a hobby. Groups include; Brentwood Operatic Society, Brentwood Shakespeare Company, Brentwood Theatre Company (the Theatre’s own in-house professional company), Rainbow 2000, Kytes Theatre Group and The Third Edge Theatre Company, to name just a few.

During the ten years the theatre has grown, maybe not in size, but certainly in reputation and now has over 70 companies on the data base, with more than 40 who use the theatre at least once a year. The leading lights who work flat out daily are Mark Reed, Theatre Administrator and David Zelly, Production Manager and like all of the people who have been involved throughout the years they are passionate about theatre and especially about Brentwood Theatre. It brings a great deal to the community; local aspiring actors have the opportunity to appear in a real theatre, local groups can put on productions at a reasonable cost in a professional environment, and theatre lovers can have an enjoyable and inexpensive night out. Being fully accessible to disabled people, groups such as Brentwood People First and Brentwood Realife use the facilities to hold regular meetings as well as running drama workshops for disabled people too.

The Brentwood Shakespeare Company put their annual production on here bringing a mixture of the Bards plays and transporting them to different time zones. ‘Much a Do About Nothing’ has been set in the time of World War Two and the next production, ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ is being brought forward to modern day. As well as being the Chairman of the ‘BSC’ Alan Ablewhite is a director of The Brentwood Theatre Trust too.

“We are the same age as Brentwood Theatre. The idea for Brentwood Shakespeare Company was born at a meeting as the theatre was opening.” Alan has lived in Essex since a young lad and enjoys acting and directing. “Where else is there to perform round here? Maybe a school hall and you would have to hire in extra lightning and more, as well as there being no atmosphere. Brentwood Theatre is a wonderful space to play in.”

BSC are looking forward to continuing to perform at the theatre, “Here’s to another stomping ten years!”

Every year sees local talent acknowledged too, with ‘The Brents’, Brentwood’s answer to the ‘Oscars’! Roz Ure won this years ‘Best Actress in a Musical’ for her performance in ‘Sweeny Todd.’ She is also the press officer for Brentwood Operatic Society. In 1994 ‘BOS’ performed the very first musical at he theatre, “Godspell.”

“Its funny as Jimmy Hooper played Jesus in Godspell and he is now directing our forthcoming production, “Sweet Charity”, Roz told me. “The atmosphere is brilliant at the theatre and I enjoy my time there so much I am now a volunteer Front of House person too.”

Brentwood Operatic Society is nearing its 100th anniversary but it’s only since Brentwood Theatre opened that they have moved away from 90 years of church halls. On behalf of BOS I wish the theatre every success for their tenth birthday, and thank David, Mark and all the team for their hard work.”

You may be surprised to know that, as well as the local amateur societies, this year also saw, ‘Scared Scriptless’, Essex’s answer to “Whose Line is it Anyway?”, as well as tribute singers, ‘Atomic Kittenz’ and ‘Britney’.

As a charity the theatre’s rates are low however they receive no regular arts funding. Business and personal donations and profits on the bar are the main way that the money comes in, the charge for hiring the theatre just covers the running costs.

Famous supporters include Ken Campbell, Nina Conti, Olivier-nominated Alison Jiear, Martin Bell and Gary Tushaw and the team at Brentwood Theatre hope that the local actors and actresses will be the famous faces of the future, after having the best start possible right here in Brentwood.

They have a wonderful team of volunteers who look after the Front of House and this entails selling tickets and seeing people in. David and Mark would be very pleased to hear from anyone else who would like to volunteer. “It’s a great way to meet people as well as putting something back into the community”, David told me. “Technicians with knowledge of lightning, sound and general stage management skills are also very welcome to get in touch.”

Everyone at Brentwood Theatre agrees that the past ten years have been “Amazing. Frustrating. Exciting. Tiring. But most importantly worth every minute!”