What is the cornerHOUSE?

The cornerHOUSE, formerly The Douglas Centre, began 2001 with a fresh, new face. The new board of trustees which took over the management and running of the Centre a year ago decided that the exciting plans for developing and extending the use of our facilities to a wider group of local people and organisations would benefit from a bright new image. So, from February 2001 onwards the Douglas Centre becomes The cornerHOUSE Community Arts Centre.

In how many suburbs could you walk down a residential street and come upon a thriving community arts centre? Here in Tolworth we are lucky to have just that in The cornerHOUSE. Created in 1995 through an imaginative conversion of an existing church hall, this exciting theatre space has played host to a wide range of drama events over the last five years, from the work of visiting professional companies to that of its own "in-house" youth companies.

This website will give you an idea of the facilities and work of The cornerHOUSE, as well as information about forthcoming events and projects.


How does the cornerHOUSE work?

The cornerHOUSE is run as a charitable trust with support from the local churches of St Matthew's and St George's, who own the building. We are also supported by a small grant from Kingston Council. The Centre is non profit-making and runs entirely on the work of volunteers. It is open to all members of the community regardless of faith, race, gender or age. We have recently undertaken extensive electrical work to bring the centre up to the standards required for an occasional public entertainments licence. Through the giving of free time by volunteers we have recently been able to install central heating to most of the centre at a much reduced cost. We are now in the process of applying for substantial grants to bring our facilities up to those required for a full licence. This would include better access for wheelchair users, including the installation of additional toilet facilities and improved technical facilities. Obviously any such future work is dependent on our successfully gaining further grants and financial support from the local community.

Who uses the cornerHOUSE?

The cornerHOUSE hosts Guest Productions in Dance, Drama, Comedy and Music, and is also the base for a number of in-house initiatives. This page also looks at the centre's involvement in Visual Arts and Future Programmes.


Guest Productions

Dance
The cornerHOUSE has hosted the highly acclaimed Sakoba Dance Theatre, whose innovative fusion of traditional African and modern contemporary dance forms under the sparkling direction of Bode Lawal have been inspirational for many of the Borough's young people who have experienced his exciting workshops and mesmerising performances.
In an exhilarating programme of Asian dance and music, as part of Kingston Arts Festival in October, we were pleased to welcome back the celebrated Kathak dancer Pratap Pawar and distinguished Ghazal singer, Pandit Vishwa Prakash.
We were also offered a vibrant continuum of new classical Odissi and contemporary Indian dance by The Banerjee Sisters with Urban Shanti.

Drama
We have enjoyed an exciting and fast-moving physical theatre production of A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shattered Windscreen Theatre Company.

Comedy
Perennially popular and well-loved comedian, Tim Vine, has played at The cornerHOUSE on numerous occasions.

Music
The introduction of a series of early music concerts at The cornerHOUSE has been an exciting innovation for the centre, with programmes of Elizabethan music played on authentic instruments from Quintus and, most recently, the unusual combination of steel pans and electric bass providing a fascinating interpretation of Baroque music from Rachel Hayward & Andrew Crawford.


In-house Projects

Young People's Dance & Drama
One of the most important aspects of The cornerHOUSE is its encouragement and support of youth initiative. We have seen high quality choreography and dance from Flight Dance Company. This young group undertake all aspects of the production themselves, from costume design to box office. The cornerHOUSE also provides a rehearsal space for A-Level drama students, who are then able to offer a public performance of their work at the centre.

Kingston Youth Theatre
This new youth theatre group offers an enjoyable social setting within which young people can experience a range of aspects of drama, from improvisation and scripted work through to sound, lighting and production, with scope for mounting finished productions.

The Panto
The Centre Stage Annual Panto has raised thousands of pounds for charity, involves many members of the local community of all ages and is always unique, with totally original script, lyrics and music.

The Visual Arts

The cornerHOUSE has an attractive exhibition space where we are fortunate to have on loan and exhibition of the work of the late Bert Seaborn, acclaimed local artist and previously head of art at Tiffin School. We have a number of inspiring photographic exhibitions throughout the year and we welcome interest from potential exhibitors.

Other offerings have included a one-day visual arts workshop, Inner Journey, on intuitive drawing. Led by Garnet Frost & Eleanor Gamper, this workshop led to an exhibition at The cornerHOUSE, and is, we hope, the first of many further arts workshops.

Future Programmes

The cornerHOUSE will continue our exploration of community arts events encompassing; poetry, puppetry, and more visual arts as well as drama and dance. We also hope to reach further into our local community, for example, by continuing to provide opportunities for adults with learning difficulties and by increasing our educational links in the borough.

How can YOU help?

We are a community arts centre managed by the trustees on a voluntary basis, for the community and we would welcome your help and support in any number of ways.

Become a Friend of The cornerHOUSE

for a small annual subscription, you get a discount on ticket prices, a copy of the quarterly Friends Newsletter and the opportunity to support the work of the centre. For more information on Friends of The cornerHOUSE, click here.

Offer your services as a helper

we welcome volunteers in all areas, from helping to man box office and front of house to becoming involved with in-house drama and arts activities, to helping out with set building, sound and lighting, as well as maintenance work such as painting, decorating and repairs. If you have expertise in any of these areas we would particularly welcome your help!

Make a donation

We cannot move forward without money. Every little bit helps!

Visit The cornerHOUSE, enjoy a show, tell your friends and neighbours about us!

If you would like to become involved in any way, or would like further information, please contact The cornerHOUSE.


PATRONS

Tim Vine - Michael Frayn - David Jacobs - Art Malik - Kevin Whately - The Bishop of Kingston