Jewel of Haringey: the Shell Theatre’s new look

The Shell Theatre has been revamped with a new design by internationally-renowned artist Camille Walala, in honour of its 90th anniversary.

Officially re-launching this Saturday, the open-air stage in Lordship Recreation Ground now boasts a colourful design after years of neglect. 

Built in the heart of the park, the Shell Theatre was first opened in 1936 by then-Mayor of Tottenham, James Henry Morrell. It soon became known as the ‘Jewel of Haringey’. From ballroom dancing to live shows, the Shell provided theatre, music and entertainment for all ages in the borough. In the 1950s, for example, the Shell hosted a fancy dress competition, which was won by Tottenham resident Rita Mart. 

However, over the years use of the theatre declined. In an attempt to encourage its use, a skateboard and BMX park was built on the grounds around the Shell, replacing its seating area, in 2006. Due to a lack of maintenance, the skateboard and BMX park also fell into disrepair. 

The neglect of the Shell and the park overall led to a spike in crime, particularly anti-social behaviour – making it ‘a no go area’. As detailed in the ‘Lordship Recreation Ground Management Plan 2015’, a total of 38 incidents of crime were recorded to have taken place in the park within a year. At the time, that equated to 8.5% of all crime reported in Haringey managed parks.

In 2012, the Shell Theatre Performing Arts Collective was established to coordinate a series of activities to encourage more positive use of the theatre. The collective exists to this day, and recently hosted Blockorama steel pan extravaganza and the Haringey Fringe Festival. 

Earlier this year, the collective, alongside the Friends of Lordship Rec, commissioned the Tottenham-based artist Camille Walala to revamp the stage. Camille is best known for her large-scale and explosively colourful murals, installations and street art. Working alongside skatepark users and volunteers from the local community, Camille gave the Shell a new lease of life. 

Organised by the Collective, Friends of Lordship Rec, Tottenham BMX club and Concrete Waves (the UK’s biggest surfskating community), Saturday’s relaunch will include live music and DJing by Felt Sounds System, who are bringing their wall of speakers to the stage, as well as a host of free BMX and surf skating sessions, free vegetarian food, art and competitions and giveaways. 

 A spokesperson for Friends of Lordship Rec said: “The day is to celebrate the past and look to the future.” 

 A spokesperson from the Tottenham BMX club said: “We’re really excited to be part of this new community of skatepark users that’s growing in the Rec, and it’s great that we’re all coming together for this celebration.

 “We hope the rebirth of the Shell Theatre is the first step towards a new facility for BMXers, skateboarders, roller skaters… For years, there’s been nowhere decent to ride or skate locally. We’re trying to change all that, and to show what’s possible.”

With its checkerboard arches and alternating pastel tones, the re-launched Shell is already attracting a new generation of users. The Bernie Grant Arts Centre and the Haringey Music Service, who supported the redesign and painting of the Shell, plan on using the theatre to put on performances and shows in the future. 

 The Open Shell event is taking place on Saturday, 17th September from 12pm to 8pm at Lordship Rec.