New theatre in Camberwell gets go-ahead

A new £2.3 million community theatre in Camberwell backed by Jude Law has been given the green light.

The venue will form part of a new student accomodation complex being constructed by Alumno Developments at Camberwell College.

The new theatre will have 200 seats and include a rehearsal space, cafe and gallery. It will replace the current Theatre Peckham, which has been on the site since 1991.

It is expected that the construction of the theatre will be completed by the end of 2015.

Theatre Peckham artistic director Teresa Early said the venue will be the "first brand-new public theatre space in south London for quite a time".

She added: "No need to say we are delighted that Southwark Council has come down in favour of Alumno Developments’ arts-based scheme on the old town hall site. We are especially thrilled at being able to bring the first new purpose built theatre into Peckham and Camberwell for what is probably a century or more."

Actor Jude Law, who grew up in Camberwell, said that the new venue "will extend further the emerging and notable artistic and creativity community within this part of south London".