Category Archives: Ashcroft Theatre

160 voices sing Verdi’s Requiem at Croydon’s People’s Palace: with Elton John in the toilets and ‘limited nibbles’ for £15

Posted on October 27, 2019 by

The Croydon Philharmonic Choir made its long-awaited return to the refurbished Fairfield Halls last night. And so, too, did KEN TOWL When a Croydon re-opening commands the presence of the Mayor of London himself, you know something big is happening. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon Philharmonic Choir, Fairfield Halls, Ken Towl, London Mozart Players, Music, Savvy Theatre, Savvy Theatre Company, Talawa Theatre Company | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Now council refuses FoIs over Fairfield Halls’ £41m costs

Posted on October 18, 2019 by

Croydon Council, which Tony Newman once promised would, under Labour, become the most open and transparent in the borough’s history, has started to block Freedom of Information requests from Council Tax-payers who want to know where the £41million of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Arnhem Gallery, Ashcroft Theatre, Brick by Brick, Croydon Council, Fairfield Halls, Tony Newman | 6 Comments

‘I paid £45 to see Dame Judi, and this is the view I had’

Posted on September 19, 2019 by

The management of the Fairfield Halls is facing having to make thousands of pounds-worth of refunds after the latest nuclear weapons-grade balls-up connected to the re-opening of the venue this week. Our loyal reader has been in touch, desperately disappointed … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Unfinished and incomplete: where’s Fairfield £41m been spent?

Posted on September 18, 2019 by

And… Breathe! The Fairfield Halls has finally re-opened, with a gala concert planned for tonight. But after over-running by 15 months and over-spending by £11million, the refurbishment is not yet finished and is incomplete. Our photo-journalist, DANNY LEIBOVITZ, reports It … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Ashcroft Theatre, BH Live, Brick by Brick, CODA, Colm Lacey, Croydon Council, Fairfield Halls, Paul Scott, Riesco Collection, Theatre, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

What’s in a name? Ashcroft Theatre is sign of commonsense

Posted on August 22, 2019 by

Our arts critic, BELLA BARTOCK, on how pointless meddling with an established venue’s name could be a cause of marketing confusion There’s been something of a victory for commonsense, for the views of local councillors and, it has to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Ashcroft Theatre, BH Live, Fairfield Halls, Neil Chandler, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Will long-delayed Fairfield Halls re-open on time? ‘It’s got to’

Posted on June 11, 2019 by

Our arts correspondent, BELLA BARTOCK, donned a hi-viz jacket and hard hat to check on the progress being made on the £41million-plus project on the borough’s arts centre, where the first month’s programme runs from royalty to Redknapp No expense … Continue reading →

Posted in Arnhem Gallery, Art, Ashcroft Theatre, BH Live, Fairfield Halls, London Mozart Players, Music, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Who’d pay £50 to see Barry from accounts as Max Bialystock?

Posted on May 4, 2019 by

It may be more than a year late in re-opening, and is at least £11million over budget, but that hasn’t stopped the operators at the Fairfield Halls from continuing to pursue their pointless exercise of re-naming the Ashcroft Theatre. Workmen … Continue reading →

Posted in Arnhem Gallery, Art, Ashcroft Theatre, BH Live, CODA, Fairfield Halls, Neil Chandler, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment