Showroom appeal to bring the best to the borough

The Hackney Showroom at the Hackney Downs Studios. Nina Lyndon with Sam Curtis Lindsay (Image: Archant)

Nina Lyndon and Sam Curtis, of Hackney Showroom, are appealing to the public to help fund an £8,000 transformation of the Hackney Downs studios.

The warehouse in Amhurst

Terrace was set up with the vision of heralding a new future for the borough, with the hope of being at the heart of the community.

Nina and Sam have set a target of raising the ambitious sum by March 26 – the showroom’s first birthday.

The former printworks was first launched as a theatre and the co-directors soon set about turning the place into a creative and cultural centre for east London.

Nina said: “We have interesing and diverse acts all the time so we want to appeal to all audiences.

“While we want to put on big shows and performances, we also want to make it easier for young people to get involved.”

Led by industry experts, a new free training programme will soon be available, with an audition day on February 20.

The showroom boasts a large warehouse theatre space, a smaller studio theatre and rehearsal room, dressing rooms and a bar.

The pair want to give artists more opportunities and space to create the best shows.

The donation appeal has already hit £3,700, which the team hopes to put towards a new lighting rig and work on a balcony area to enhance viewers’ experience.

Nina says starting the showroom in March last year was an enjoyable experience but not without its challenges.

She added: “It’s been absolutely terrifying as we are so ambitious in what we want to achieve.

“It’s what we love doing but with the very small team we have it’s always a challenge to meet the high standards we set.

“We eventually want to get out into the community and start performing in the streets and parks, we have big ideas for ensuring people not only watch our shows but take part in them too.”