Save theatre that sired Little Britain
12:08pm Wednesday 24th January 2007
We've done it before, let's do it again. Today the Surrey Comet launches an appeal to save the home of New Malden's Green Theatre Company, where Little Britain star David Walliams once trod the boards.
The century-old cricket pavilion at Barton Green was relaunched as a youth theatre with help from the Comet 21 years ago. But it is now blighted by £25,000-worth of building problems that threaten its future as a theatre.
Over the years, it has kick-started careers of people as wide ranging as Peter Leslie Wild, who produced more than 100 episodes of the Archers, and Walliams, who was in two productions at Barton Green before dressing up as a lady' for hit BBC comedy Little Britain.
It is also part of local folklore that Glenn Miller and his band once played the pavilion during World War II.
This week, we revisit our successful campaign from 21 years ago when we helped save the borough's only youth theatre.
We are appealing for the expertise and money needed to make the theatre safe and warm for its young members.
It has holes in the roof, a shabby porch in need of some loving care, and no roof insulation, meaning the central heating is completely ineffectual.
Theatre member Rick Whittle said: "People have been known to bring hot water bottles and Thermos flasks to winter performances because it gets so cold.
"But people come anyway because they know we put on good theatre."
And good theatre it is. The group puts on four to five productions a year, which is impressive considering its members have an average age of 16.
Founding member Jon Constant believes the groups plays a vital role for young people in the area.
He said: "The Green is still an enthusiastic company, run by and for young people. Hundreds of talented teenagers have spent their leisure hours there, grown up there and developed new skills and self-confidence."