“We've had plays in the cupboard, plays on the pelican crossing opposite"
The UK’s first theatre in a shop,Theatre Absolute was set up by Chris O’Connell, and Julia Negus in 2008 having been inspired by a model in Chicago.
The informal theatre space was set up in collaboration with Coventry City Council to provide an intimate, non conventional setting for artists, writers and fellow creatives to perform and display their work.
The shop, a former well known fish and chip shop called Fishy Moores, has been the backdrop to plays being performed in its limited spaces and neighbouring surroundings, such as a nearby pelican crossing and the wider city centre arcade. It was the starting point for a city centre shop front theatre festival.
Julia and Chris say that part of the legacy of the shop and their work is the opportunities to mentor and work with future theatre makers. They say despite the closure of the theatre they’re looking forward to having the opportunity to perform again without the extra responsibility of running a venue. They plan to continue in name and to apply the same ethos to their work as they did in their venue.
The building is due to be demolished as part of a wider redevelopment plan, City Centre South Development.
A celebration event is to be held during the first weekend in November for people to get together to reflect on the shared creativity that’s taken place there during their time in the City Arcade.
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