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Ashford Youth Theatre still looking for home after Dover Place eviction

The Ashford Youth Theatre is still searching for a new home - more than two years after it was evicted from its former base.

Leaders at the non-profit group, which has been running for 35 years, moved their belongings from their warehouse in Dover Place to the former Ashford South School in Jemmett Road last week.

They will use the site as a storage facility while continuing to search for a new home.

Containers filled with theatre equipment is all that remains at the site.
Containers filled with theatre equipment is all that remains at the site.

Ashford Borough Council evicted the theatre and other community groups using the Dover Place warehouse in 2016 as the land is earmarked for development.

The theatre’s coordinator, Stella Critchley, said: “We did many productions in Dover Place and it was a great space.

“It was just wonderful for us as every production we did was different and we were been able to build and re-build sets.

The exterior mural on Ashford Youth Theatre's old home at Dover Place.
The exterior mural on Ashford Youth Theatre's old home at Dover Place.

“The chances of finding a permanent new place are slim, but all we need is an old unit with a big empty space.”

Barrow Hill resident Ms Critchley - who was awarded an MBE in 2006 for her commitment to theatre - says the group is looking for a new home. Before a new site’s found, the theatre’s equipment will be stored in six containers at the former school.

Ms Critchley said: “As of yet we have no new place, but we are going to look at a couple of empty warehouses next week and we’re hoping that someone will lend us one for a couple of months so we can do a summer production.

Stella Critchley, co-ordinator of Ashford Youth Theatre
Stella Critchley, co-ordinator of Ashford Youth Theatre

“Because we’ve been fallow now for almost two years, we will need to recruit again but fortunately some of our brilliant young actors are keen to work with us again this summer.

“It’ll be lovely to have them back, but we’ll scout around and audition again. Both musical and drama talent in Ashford is of a very high standard and we’re very lucky in that regard.”

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