High Barnet London EN5 5SJ
Tel:0208 441 5010
Formerly a pub was purchased by Barnet Urban District Council in 1963 with a view to demolishing the building and creating an access road to a bypass parallel to Barnet High Street which was destined to become pedestrianised.
However this proposal never matured, and the building was inherited by the London Borough of Barnet when the boroughs merged in 1965.
It was used as a Civic Defence Centre and the magistrates office before being opened in 1975 as The Old Bull Arts Centre by a local group who had been running a summer festival in nearby Ewen Hall Barnet for a few years.
The Theatre
The cost was met partly by a Government scheme to finance community centres, partly by the Borough Council and partly by fundraising and donations of materials and expertise by local residents, with the aim of housing local drama, dance and music with an art gallery.
In the absence of good performance and exhibition space across North London a fully professional programme quickly took root, funded by the Arts Council of Great Funds through the Greater London Council.
The project to build the artsdepot allowed The Bull to tailor its programme, so the professional work was able to move successfully into the new building at North Finchley.
Unfortunately in doing so it also took with it the funding previously available from the Borough Council, Greater London and ACE funding.
The Susi Earnshaw Theatre School became new tenants in 2004 with their full time study courses. They use the building through weekdays, which allows local groups and schools to hire the spaces in the evenings and weekends for meetings, theatre and music performances,
The space is very suitable for amateur performers who usually require a full week's hire to allow them a day or two to create their sets and rehearsals before giving a run of 3 - 5 performances.
Open mic and other evenings are also regularly held.
The building is now leased to Dare to Dream Performers, a registered charity, who also lease the block of small arts studios in the mews courtyard behind the arts centre.
The project is now self-financing, which was the aim of the original group who set up and created the building.
It brings a good community spirit into the local area and an interesting theatre programme, as well as housing the theatre school which receives praise from Ofsted for its work and runs an agency to create employment for many of its students in the theatre world.
The Cafe - Bar
The Susi Earnshaw Theatre School - 020 8441 5010
A full time independent secondary school offering academic education to GCSE and all round vocational traning. Also after school and weekend classes in performing arts for 5-16 years.
All Exclusive Entertainment Ltd. - 07931 204 769
An Entertainments Agency specialising in live entertainment artists development and promotion.
Doodlebug Vintage Clothing - 07894 222120
Fashion authentication through the decades.
Monthly vintage fairs. http://www.doodlebugvintage.com
John Marsh - 0208 447 3749
John taught for many years at Barnet College where he was Principal Lecturer in Art & Design. Now as a part time tutor he works on courses offering access to Higher Education and also runs creative workshops for art groups.
He wrote and illustrated 'Sketching Landscapes' and 'Sketching Street Scenes' published by Cassell and was part author of 'The Complete Book of Sketching' published by the Chancellor Press.
Recently he has written feature articles for art magazines and has worked with Film Directors and Production Companies, providing hand drawn maps, illustrations and period documents for drama documentaries.
SEM - Tel: 0208 441 5010
Theatrical Agency representing adults and children in theatre, TV, film, radio, commercials, corporate entertainment and modelling.
Dare to Dream Performers Charity (1106006)
Promoting the performing arts in North London and South Hertfordshire by facilitating shows at The Bull Theatre and offering outreach work in schools and community groups.
The Bull Theatre
68 High Street
High Barnet London EN5 5SJ
Tel:0208 441 5010
http://www.thebulltheatre.org/