Published: 1 June, 2012

• HOW delighted I was to see that cheap theatre tickets will soon be available to young people in Islington as they have been for some years in Southwark (Enter stage left: a new arts champion, May 25)

The local committee which, over many years, brought about the rebuilding of the area behind Islington Green, including an underground theatre, in existence but yet to be opened, was promised such an outcome as part of community gain for the work it had done.

The owner of the Old Vic, whose husband developed the site, promised free drama and technical lessons for students. That would help to ensure that actors and technicians would be available locally, as well as providing employment. There are huge public spaces on different levels underground, in fact more space than otherwise available in the borough, which could be used for other events to bring in income.

The hundreds of people who attended our meetings must be wondering why things did not go ahead.

Two electricity sub-stations were installed by EDF, one for the flats and another for the theatre, but it connected the flats to the sub-station intended for the theatre.

There is a beautifully designed town space between the two towers in Essex Road, which was to house a fresh food market, which would in any case have to be removed temporarily in order to fit out the theatre beneath.

Let us hope that this project, which was a top priority of our campaign, will soon be completed.
Avis Saltsman Baldry
Former chair of the Anderson’s Yard Campaign Group