Save The Grand, at CYTO South Norwood, Nov 3

In the context of the recent debate about the future of the Fairfield Halls – and with it, the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon’s last operating full-sized drama venue – an evening’s entertainment next Tuesday as part of the South Norwood Arts Festival could prove both timely and instructive.

The Play in a Week Players, a group of seven young people, will stage stage a short play, Save The Grand, set at the Croydon theatre on its last night in April 1959. Part of the South Norwood Arts Festival, the performance takes place at CYTO’s Shoestring Theatre, Oakley Road, South Norwood, SE25 4XG, from 7pm on November 3.

The play was created with the aid of the Croydon Council’s Youth Arts Team in just a week.

After refreshments, local historian and Croydon entertainment expert Carole Roberts will gives an illustrated talk telling the story of the theatre from its opening in 1896, its stars and its importance to the people of Croydon.

Admission is free, and no booking is necessary.

• Programmes for all the events in the South Norwood Arts Festival are obtainable at north Croydon libraries, shops and events, or may be downloaded from the People for Portland Road website.

• Inside Croydon Events: for dates and links to what’s happening in and around Croydon, updated daily

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