The Space is celebrating its 15th anniversary! From its humble origins in a derelict church the Space was transformed into a vibrant arts centre back in 1996. It is both an important creative hub, producing outstanding professional productions, and an asset for the local community. Over the years the Space has required a high level of commitment and dedication from its staff, volunteers and trustees. The incredible lengths that they have gone to in order to make the Space a success are recognised here in our feature ’15 people who shaped the Space’. Of course there are many others who have contributed, we would also like to thank all of our volunteers, artists, performers, supporters and audience members for making the Space such a great place to be.
Read part one here.
John Higgins, Emma Sampson and Ali Forbes
4-6 in a series of 15 people who shaped the Space
John Higgins
Retired seaman, John Higgins (pictured above), spent forty years in the Merchant Navy before settling down on the Isle of Dogs. Since then he’s used his prodigious skills to help out at the Space, whilst also putting in shifts at St Edmund’s Church and Whitechapel market.
Despite being ‘deaf in one hear and unable to hear out of the other’, John enjoys watching performances at the Space so much so that performers often find themselves taking a token of his appreciation away with them. A handyman par excellence, John celebrated his 80th birthday in the walls of the Space with a large number of well-wishers marking his memorable milestone.
Mari Rettedal-Westlake and Alex Crampton pay tribute to our truly unique volunteer.
‘Anyone who has ever been to the Space, whether a volunteer, an employee, bar staff, audiences, workshopper or incoming artist has received a hand shake from Mr Higgins.
John has made them all feel welcome with his huge heart and generosity. And for those of us who work here full time, how often have we come in the morning after a late shift, dreading the state of the hall only to find it all cleaned up, floor swept and chairs stacked. John always has just the thing you need and although he was already sailing the seven seas before most of us were even born, he is up on the ladders or carrying heavy equipment with the greatest of ease. John is truly a remarkable man and the Space just wouldn’t be the same without him.’
‘Old John’ has always been a part of the Space for as long as I’ve been here, as long as anyone’s been here. He lives to make others happy; to give little gifts whenever he can. His extreme generosity of spirit is something that I smile at and think of as the lifeblood of the Space.
Emma Sampson
Australian, Emma Sampson joined the Space in January 2011 as Mari went on maternity leave, but Emma had already put her mark on the Space. Together with her partner Adnan Lalani, Emma created the new and stylish website that most of you will have encountered. To have a professional and inviting presence online is crucial to making our mark as a venue. In addition to transforming the way that people meet the Space online, Emma has developed our e-newsletters, print materials and box office systems.
Emma is also a brilliant director, assisting some of our favourite performances here at the Space, like Gut Girls and the Shape of Things. This summer Emma made her debut at the Space as solo director in her remarkable rendition of Tartuffe.
Emma also worked with our first ever Space Youth Drama group on a film-making project which saw the staff of the Space parodying themselves in a mockumentary. This fly-on-the-wall piece, conceived and shot by 12-16 year olds, followed the Space staff as they attempted to stage ‘I’m a Little Teapot – the rock opera’. Emma’s sense of humour and easy-going nature created the perfect environment for the Space staff to enjoy sending themselves up.
Amazing attention to detail and creative ideas. Emma can take a look at the wider picture and always have something astute, perceptive and interesting to say. In the short time she’s been here Emma has tightened up the marketing department, given us a style overhaul, clear visual branding and developed press relationships.
Ali Forbes
An inspired arts programmer and skilled fundraiser, Ali Forbes was Centre Director of the Space from 2001-2005.
Whilst continuing to celebrate the diversity of the Space’s arts programme, Ali brought a new energy to the Space with band nights and cabaret events proving very popular with the local audience on the Isle of Dogs. Ali attracted some fantastic bands and eclectic performers and developed a following for the Trashville nights and free Summer festivals.
Ali had a great eye for talent and gave many new theatre companies opportunities to perform. That initial start is crucial for so many new companies and without Ali’s encouragement and support, many of them would have struggled. One such company, Les Enfants Terribles led by Oliver Lansley, have gone on to receive critical acclaim, been nominated for and won industry awards and now are making awards themselves as they aim to support other new companies starting out. Les Enfants Terribles’ first production at the Space was Steven Berkoff’s West and Ali managed to attract Berkoff himself to perform at the venue on more than one occasion. Ali’s desire to see big names perform at the Space also provided a performance from Linda Marlowe and brought us close to Helen Mirren who has voiced her support for the venue.
Amongst her many achievements was the securing of lottery funds to provide a new sound system at the venue. Ali clearly spent the money well as the system is still in operation today. Ali also brought in the grant providing workshops for young people that was the pre-cursor to our long running Space Cadets programme.
When Ali went part-time, she brought in current Centre Director Adam Hemming to job share. Adam recalls, ‘It was fantastic working alongside Ali. I’d known her for a couple of years having brought shows to the Space with my theatre company. I learnt a great deal from Ali and am massively grateful for the opportunities she gave me.’