Corbett Theatre and A New Vision of Britain: A Partnership Rooted in Community

Nestled within the beautiful grounds of East 15 Acting School in Loughton, the Corbett Theatre is a unique performance venue where professional actor training meets community engagement. Housed inside a beautifully restored medieval tithe barn, the theatre sits within one of the most picturesque drama school campuses in the UK, surrounded by ponds, woodland, mature trees and peaceful green spaces that offer students and visitors alike a place to reflect, create and connect with nature.

Part of the University of Essex, East 15 Acting School was founded in 1961 and continues the pioneering legacy of Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop, championing theatre that is bold, inclusive and deeply connected to the communities it serves. Alongside training the next generation of actors and theatre-makers, the Corbett Theatre proudly opens its doors to local audiences through an exciting programme of productions, festivals and events throughout the year.

Over the past two years, the Corbett Theatre has developed a valued partnership with A New Vision of Britain and Grange Farm Centre in Chigwell. Together, we have worked to ensure that theatre remains accessible to everyone, creating opportunities for members of the local community to experience live performance in welcoming and inclusive environments.

One of the highlights of this partnership came last summer when East 15’s Shakespeare company visited Grange Farm to present a free outdoor performance in its beautiful grounds. Members of the Sunflower Group, alongside other visitors and service users, enjoyed an afternoon of live theatre in the open air, demonstrating how performance can bring people together beyond the walls of a traditional theatre.

The Corbett Theatre has also been delighted to welcome members of A New Vision of Britain and Grange Farm to our annual Christmas productions through specially discounted tickets. We are pleased to confirm that this initiative will continue for this year’s festive show, helping even more people enjoy the magic of live theatre during the Christmas season.

As our partnership continues to grow, we are pleased to extend discounted tickets across our programme to members of A New Vision of Britain. Members can also receive updates about forthcoming productions, workshops and events taking place at the Corbett Theatre, strengthening the connection between East 15 and the local community.

Looking ahead, this partnership also offers exciting opportunities for the future. Inspired by the work being undertaken with Durham University on climate awareness and community engagement, East 15 hopes to work with its students to explore how theatre can encourage conversations around environmental responsibility and social change. By giving young performers the opportunity to engage with these important issues, we hope they will become ambassadors for positive change both on stage and beyond.

We look forward to continuing this collaboration with A New Vision of Britain and Grange Farm, welcoming new audiences to the Corbett Theatre and celebrating the power of theatre to inspire, connect and enrich our community.

For discounted tickets, updates and information about upcoming productions, please contact corbett@essex.ac.uk.