Jacksons Lane holds its grand reopening this weekend with building tours, circus workshops and demos, and a photo exhibition.

The Grade II listed Highgate arts centre has undergone a £4.5 million revamp to create new rehearsal studios, offices, toilets, seating, and an expanded cafe/bar.

The 170-seat venue has become fully accessible and a new entrance on Archway Road welcomes visitors into a hub of activity where circus performers are rehearsing; Ricky Gervais is trialling new material for his next tour; a three-month long Nordic arts festival is ongoing; and 40 community courses offer everything from hip-hop dance to light sabre duelling.

“It was quite an emotional moment when we opened the Nordic Festival,” said artistic director Adrian Berry. “We are proud to show off the building finally. The delays have been frustrating, but the results are beautiful and we feel Jacksons Lane now has a future.”

A community cultural hub since the 1970s, the former church had started to show its age. Since arriving in 2006, Berry has contended with a collapsed roof, burst boiler, ancient wiring, and inaccessible upper floor. … Link to  Full Length Article and Ham & High. 

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Main Image: Jackson’s Lane CEOs Adrian Berry (artistic director and) Monique Deletant (executive director) outside the new main entrance - Credit: Polly Hancock