The Point theatre will be celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary in 2016 and is looking for stories and memories from the public to help with its year-long birthday celebrations.
Having already kick-started the celebrations with a radical redesign of its foyer and bar area, the Leigh Road based-theatre would like to hear from anyone who has fond memories of The Point.
Sorting Office Ceramic artist Sheena Bond, print designer Mariska Parent, textile artist Claire Vine, and visual artist Eve Dawson are working alongside renowned London-based interior designer Naomi Doran of Relic Interiors, to create designs for The Point’s foyer and bar area.
Did you learn to dance in one of its classes or watch a family member perform in a show at The Point?
Did you take part in one of the exciting workshops staged at the contemporary venue?
Perhaps you remember a production that has left you speechless or moved you to tears.
If you have a story to share, The Point Theatre would love to hear it.
The memories collected will be used and woven in a number of inventive ways throughout the theatre’s festivities next year to show how much The Point means to the community and those who use it.
Share your stories with The Point
So … whether you are a tot, teen or turning 100, The Point would love to hear about your experiences, and memories of the venue as The Point moves into the next chapter of its exciting story.
To share your stories, images or for more information, please email creativeeastleigh@eastleigh.gov.uk
For more details about The Point, visit The Point in Eastleigh.
About The Point
The Point is one of the leading venues in the south for contemporary performance. Set up in 1996 with one of the first National Lottery grants and managed by Eastleigh Borough Council it is housed in Eastleigh’s former Victorian town hall.
Its Creation Space, launched in November 2009, was one of the first of its kind to feature a dedicated “making space” for artists complete with attached accommodation allowing visiting companies to live on-site while creating new work.
In 2015 it was granted National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status by Arts Council – the first time in its history.
In 2016, the theatre will celebrate its 20th anniversary, with an exciting programme of events “Now we are 20… imagine what’s next” lined-up that will showcase its past, present and exciting future.
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My fond memories were watching my son learning ballet 10 years ago at The Point. It was lovely watching little children dancing in the studio. There were huge glass ‘windows’ at the foyer and we would sit there sipping tea and watching the children. Am I right that we could see the kids, but they couldn’t see us through those ‘windows’?
I watched Mama Mia! with some girlfriends many years ago there and had a good laugh. I watched Oliver by Centrestage Production Youth Theatre a year or two ago, and it was brilliant.
I look forward to the new, exciting development of The Point, and its new programmes.
Is it really 20 years since the Town Hall was turned into The Point?
Yes indeed. The Point was established in 1997 with one of the first National Lottery grants.
Ruby, what did The Point mean to you? What have you watched there before?
I can remember seeing various local am-dram productions at the old Town Hall. There was no tiered seating, and the stage was higher. Also I don’t think there was an orchestra pit. The entrance was through the original main doors (now unused), and there was a small foyer to the rear of the auditorium. There was no public access to the area now used for the foyer and bar, and no dance studios.
The hall was also used for blood donation sessions, and the post-remembrance parade refreshments. I remember lying on a couch giving blood and trying to work out what the motto above the stage meant. It translates as “The most important rule is the safety of the people”. I later learned that this motto is used by quite a few towns throughout the country, not just Eastleigh.