‘Not just for luvvies’: anger over changes to Actors Centre

For more than 40 years it was a place where actors – from legendary stars to those struggling for a first break – could socialise, network and learn new skills. Among its patrons and members were Laurence Olivier, Ian McKell en, Judi Dench, Alec Guinness, Anthony Hopkins, Alan Bates and Julie Walters .

- Harriet Sherwood

But last November, the Actors Centre – a registered charity in the heart of London’s West End – was “rebranded” by its new chief executive, Amanda Davey . It is now the Seven Dials Playhouse, a 100-seat theatre that describes itself as “truly inclusive … relevant, dynamic and exciting”.

The change has been met with dismay and anger among many members, who say the loss of such a vital resource for actors is unconscionable. They have set up a campaign, Actor at the Centre , demanding regular classes and workshops be reinstated.

The campaign has won the backing of Sheila Hancock , who described the change as “heartbreaking”, and Mark Rylance . Last week, Equity, the union representing 47,000 performers and creative practitioners, urged the Seven Dials Playhouse management team to reverse its action, and agreed to contribute to the campaign’s legal costs.