11:23am Thursday 5th November 2009
By Suruchi Sharma
THE curtain will be raised for the first time at the opening gala of Borehamwood's new theatre next week.
Around 300 performers from more than 15 schools, community groups and theatre companies will put on a show at the new 250-seat theatre in front of special guests on Tuesday, November 10.
Derek Martin, who plays Charlie Slater in EastEnders, and Borehamwood resident Richard Pryke, the Oscar-winning sound engineer from the film Slumdog Millionaire, will join the Hertsmere mayor and councillors. Shenley schoolboy Jake Salem, from Clore Shalom School, will also be joining the evening as a special guest.
He won the competition to design the theatre's logo in June this year.
Hertsmere Borough Council leader, Councillor Morris Bright, said: "This has been such as exciting project and I'm very much looking forward to the official opening gala and seeing the local community up on stage."
Acts include scenes from Oliver, Guys and Dolls and High School Musical and groups involved include Elstree and Borehamwood Community Choir, Elstree Productions, Hertsmere Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, Elstree and Borehamwood Light Operatic Society as well as Cowley Hill, Kenilworth, Woodlands and Hertswood School.
Zoë Watkins, theatre manager at Hertswood School, said: "It is wonderful to see the community pulling together to create such a great opening to what promises to be a very exciting season.
"A lot of hard work has gone into this show by a lot of people and I really hope that they enjoy their experience of being on the new stage as much as the audience are going to enjoy watching it."
There will be a preview open to the public on Monday.
Councillor Bright added: "I hope the people of Borehamwood will go along to the public preview on Monday and support the range of entertainments that will be on offer."
Tickets for the public preview on Monday, November 9, are £5 and can be booked online at www.thearktheatre.co.uk or bought on the door on the night, subject to availability. The show starts at 7.30pm and is due to finish at 10pm with a 20-minute interval.
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