Camden People's Theatre's story began 30 years ago when a group of visionary artists took over the empty space that used to be the Lord Palmerston Pub, an important site of community organising for decades, and turned it into Camden People’s Theatre.
That means the theatre has been around since the release of Oasis’s first album, since Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa, since China first got connected to the internet. It's as old as Amazon, The Lion King and the smartphone - but the venue is not looking back, instead they are looking forward, to an incredible year of activity in the space where artistic innovation meets local involvement meets engagement with the ‘now’.
Over the last 30 years, the venue have supported some of the nation’s most exciting emerging artists, delivered an annual programme of ground-breaking experimental work, and delivered extraordinary community projects made with and by local residents.
Last year, they supported 226 artists / companies to deliver 302 performances, they gave out 1356 hours of in-kind rehearsal space, and 60 of our artists received commissions. 72% of those artists were in the first 4 years of their career, and showed work to over 17,000 audience members. Though they are one of the smallest theatres, they are one of the biggest emerging artist support hubs in the city.
As part of the 30th birthday celebrations we sat down with Artistic Director and Joint CEO, Rio Matchett to learn more about the theatre.
Congratulations on the theatre reaching a milestone 30 years, how do you reflect on the 30 years?
It's been such a joy to arrive at the organisation at this time, because there have been so many organic conversations about CPT's history and what makes it so special. It's really clear to me the vital role this organisation plays in the wider ecology of new work, and therefore in the ecology of theatre in general! There are fewer and fewer opportunities for artists to take risks and get their foot on the ladder, and we're committed to that bit of our history to the end.
Where did your own journey with the theatre begin?
Honestly in some ways I was pretty late to the game - I can count on one hand the number of times I went to the theatre before I turned 21. What I did have were a school with loads of performance opportunities, and family who really valued creativity - both my parents were high school art teachers. I always knew I wanted to do something in theatre, but I had no idea what that could look like until I joined the Everyman theatre young directors' programme in Liverpool, which was a short course taught by Matthew Xia. There, I fell totally in love with the work off and behind the stage, and fifteen years of making plays with mates, assisting and learning later, I feel very lucky to be here!
Honestly in some ways I was pretty late to the game - I can count on one hand the number of times I went to the theatre before I turned 21. What I did have were a school with loads of performance opportunities, and family who really valued creativity - both my parents were high school art teachers. I always knew I wanted to do something in theatre, but I had no idea what that could look like until I joined the Everyman theatre young directors' programme in Liverpool, which was a short course taught by Matthew Xia. There, I fell totally in love with the work off and behind the stage, and fifteen years of making plays with mates, assisting and learning later, I feel very lucky to be here!
How do you look back on the 4 months you’ve had at the venue so far?
It's been a lot of fun, and a lot of learning!
It's been a lot of fun, and a lot of learning!
What are the biggest challenges you face as artistic director of the venue and how do you overcome them?
I think the challenges we face are echoed across the theatre industry, and beyond - the increased cost of living, precarity and so on. I suppose specifically, I've been thinking a lot about finding that balance - fiercely preserving that thing that makes CPT special, the thing that's in its bones, but also identifying areas for growth and change, which is where I get to explore as an artist and bring some of my practice to the organisation.
I think the challenges we face are echoed across the theatre industry, and beyond - the increased cost of living, precarity and so on. I suppose specifically, I've been thinking a lot about finding that balance - fiercely preserving that thing that makes CPT special, the thing that's in its bones, but also identifying areas for growth and change, which is where I get to explore as an artist and bring some of my practice to the organisation.
How has your own knowledge helped shape the work that the venue creates?
Well, it's very early days! In the next year, I hope that there's a couple of things - firstly, my identity as a disabled person is really key to my practice, and the disabled theatre community has been a huge part of that, so you can expect to see more work in that area, and hopefully some of the practical learning of accessibility applied across the board. Then, as an artist, I think of myself first and foremost as a dramaturg, so I'm excited to collaborate with CPT's artists to develop our excellence, really interrogate our choices, rigorous research and so on. It's an exciting time!
Well, it's very early days! In the next year, I hope that there's a couple of things - firstly, my identity as a disabled person is really key to my practice, and the disabled theatre community has been a huge part of that, so you can expect to see more work in that area, and hopefully some of the practical learning of accessibility applied across the board. Then, as an artist, I think of myself first and foremost as a dramaturg, so I'm excited to collaborate with CPT's artists to develop our excellence, really interrogate our choices, rigorous research and so on. It's an exciting time!
What was the first piece of theatre that had an impact on you?
When I was six, my parents took me on a trip to London to see The Lion King. It was a really big deal for us to go to London, a really special trip, and I'll never forget the feeling of those huge puppets coming down the aisle behind us. It was so big, I remember thinking how amazing it was that all those dancers and actors could coordinate and synchronise and move like that.
When I was six, my parents took me on a trip to London to see The Lion King. It was a really big deal for us to go to London, a really special trip, and I'll never forget the feeling of those huge puppets coming down the aisle behind us. It was so big, I remember thinking how amazing it was that all those dancers and actors could coordinate and synchronise and move like that.
What gives you inspiration?
Probably good conversation above anything else! I love chatting to people with different perspectives than me, getting really into it and interrogating why we think the way we do. I'm obsessed with people, how they function, how they find connection. I also read a lot of nonfiction, probably for the same reason, and of course I see a lot of theatre, from fringe and student work to the West End. It's all such valuable learning.
Probably good conversation above anything else! I love chatting to people with different perspectives than me, getting really into it and interrogating why we think the way we do. I'm obsessed with people, how they function, how they find connection. I also read a lot of nonfiction, probably for the same reason, and of course I see a lot of theatre, from fringe and student work to the West End. It's all such valuable learning.
What do you hope the future looks like for the next 30 years?
For CPT?! I hope we continue to be known as the theatre that gave so many amazing artists their first break, I hope we're sector leaders in access and inclusion, and I hope we make some f*cking incredible plays that actually challenge and change the world around us!
For CPT?! I hope we continue to be known as the theatre that gave so many amazing artists their first break, I hope we're sector leaders in access and inclusion, and I hope we make some f*cking incredible plays that actually challenge and change the world around us!
For more information about Camden People’s Theatre, visit: https://cptheatre.co.uk/
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