History and achievements

Established in 1981 by Newham Arts Council with funding from the Manpower Services Commission, Theatre Venture’s initial focus was the development of new writing. Based at the Tom Allen Centre in Stratford the company toured plays to new audiences. In 1984 Theatre Venture acquired funding from London Borough of Newham and Greater London Arts.

The company began to develop a community focus and relationships, targeting groups specific to Newham. Alongside new plays, Theatre Venture began to develop work for deaf and partially hearing audiences and musical entertainment for older generations. The artistic programme involved touring four plays per year alongside a programme of outreach and participatory activities initiated in South Newham. The culmination of this approach was the production of two large-scale community plays, alongside small-scale regional touring programmes.

Since 1991, whilst continuing to commission and support new writing, Theatre Venture has developed work with specific communities who have been under-represented in arts provision. Programmes of work were developed in consultation with these communities. A 1996 review of services and priorities reaffirmed this commitment to developing a wide range of work that responds to the experiences and aspirations of diverse East London communities.
The subsequent years have seen the company continue to deliver shows and projects that reflect the communities in which it exists; whilst building a reputation for innovative use of a variety of art forms and media within, and alongside, its continuing theatre programmes.
2006 saw Theatre Venture celebrate 25 years of producing community arts.

Notable achievements

• Theatre Venture celebrates its 25-year Anniversary (2006)
• Theatre In Schools Partnership established with peer companies, Immediate Theatre and Face Front Inclusive Theatre (2004)
• 'Glimpses Across the Divide’ a major study undertaken by the company exploring the relationship between participation in high quality arts programmes and social/demographic progress, published in association with London Arts and the University of East London (Dr Linden West 2002)
• Company becomes a core partner of, and resident at, Stratford Circus (2001)
• Increased recognition of the company as a model for effective community-based work (London Arts Board Annual Report 1999)
• Times/Touch Ross Award for Contribution to the Environment (1995)
• British Telecom Community Partnership Award (1994)
• Arts Council/British Gas Award for Youth Arts (1993)