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About Us

About Us

The Broadway in Barking town centre is a performing arts venue and theatre presenting live music, dance, drama, comedy, variety, children's shows and lots more. This light, modern, flexible venue draws audiences locally and from across east London and west Essex. The Broadway is as renowned for its friendly welcome as it is for the quality and diversity of the shows and events it stages. Well known artists from TV and stage appear regularly, as well as top quality international acts which recently have included ballet from Russia, modern dance from France and a wonderfully inventive children's show from far-flung Finland! We always try to ensure our ticket prices are affordable so that as many people as possible can enjoy wonderful live entertainment.
 
As well as professional performances, our venue hosts many shows and events by community organisations. The Broadway organises its own particpatory events and even provides free exhibition space for local visual artists. The venue is home to Barking & Dagenham College Performing Arts faculty, giving students a wonderful opportunity to develop their craft in a real working professional theatre.The Broadway really is the cultural heart of the community.

The Broadway was originally the Barking Assembly Hall, designed in the 1930’s as part of the Town Hall and completed in 1962. It was used sporadically for a variety of events from ballet to boxing. The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham recognised the need for a high quality performance venue in the borough. It joined forces with Barking & Dagenham College to redevelop the hall into the Broadway a professional theatre and a home for the college’s highly successful department of performing arts.

The venue was modernised and redesigned by Tim Foster Architects and reopened in September 2004. The theatre includes a glass façade and foyer space, an auditorium with flexible seating, with a capacity of 341, which can be extended to 850 for a standing event.

The venue is managed by Barking & Dagenham Council and is the flagship cultural building in the borough and surrounding areas.

 

 

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Broadway in the Park

Broadway in the Park This summer

The magic of open air theatre in the beautiful surroundings of Barking Park.