Built within the iconic South London market grounds, The Buzz has been designed to inspire creativity and innovation, firmly providing a new home for immersive theatre in London. Building has now begun and the venue is scheduled to launch this November alongside a new bar and production.
This fully flexible performing arts space is set to be the UK’s first permanent purpose-built immersive theatre venue, providing leading theatre creatives space to grow ideas on a blank canvas. The Buzz will be a community hub for theatre-makers, local students, and the community alike.
The Buzz’s ambition is to provide the vastly creative immersive theatre scene with the space, flexibility and physical support they need to take performances to the next level. The vision is to reduce limitations on creativity which will facilitate production companies and great ideas.
The project is a collaboration between immersive theatre and production professionals ebp and Limelight Productions.
Renowned producer, Oliver Award nominee and one of The Stage’s Power 100 List, Emma Brunjes of ebp says:
“It’s thrilling to realise a long-held ambition to build our own space. We have produced immersive shows in tunnels, warehouses, abandoned buildings, bookshops and a visitor attraction. To create a dynamic performance space to unleash creativity is truly exciting. We want The Buzz to be at the forefront of the immersive theatre movement. The Buzz is a home to develop and realise ground-breaking ideas and the Buzz Bar a hub for our audience, creatives and local community. We are delighted to be expanding and complimenting the vibrant offering at Mercato Metropolitano.”
Andrea Rasca, the founder of Mercato Metropolitano said:
“I am proud of the partnership we’ve struck with The Buzz. We’re a sustainable community market that believes in fun and giving people a chance to develop innovative and creative ideas that promote social cohesion, education, and healthy living. The Buzz embodies all of this and much more. At Mercato Metropolitano we dedicate 20% of our space annually to incubating businesses that reflect our values. This year we helped launch 48 new businesses, including a new cinema concept, a hydroponics farm, and a gardening project in a double decker London bus! We like to have fun in partnership with creative and innovative minds like The Buzz.”
In addition to the venue, The Buzz Bar, a Charlie Chaplin inspired hub, will open its doors to offer a meeting point for the community, The Buzz audience and all visitors to Mercato Metropolitano. Charlie Chaplin, who was born in the Southwark area, famously frequented Elephant & Castle and even performed in one of its now defunct theatre venues.
The Buzz is being built as part of Mercato Metropolitano, the sustainable community market based in the heart of the Borough triangle of SE1. The market-style space’s profound commitment to hosting the city’s social fabric by creating a positive network of individuals, families and groups whilst increasing social and cultural values through the regeneration of the local areas serve as the perfect location for The Buzz. Joining artisan dining and live music, the location will now expand it’s growing community hub with the immersive theatre and bar.
The Buzz will soon be announcing an array of shows, community programmes and incredible opportunities for the next generation of creative artists. The Young Buzz, a collection of immersive and interactive theatre-based programmes will offer bespoke training and learning opportunities for people aged 14 to 30. The Young Buzz includes The Buzz Ambassadors, which will encourage students from across London to spread the word of the space’s opening and programmes, The Buzz Young Professionals and The Buzz Young Theatre Company, for those looking to develop their skills and embark on a career in immersive theatre.
Author: Adam Parry
Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.
