Fairfield Halls is set to launch a new multipurpose venue, The Studio.

The Studio will open on Thursday, September 25 with a night of stand-up comedy.

Russell Howard’s Good News and Edinburgh Festival regular Gareth Richards will headline the comedy cabaret hosted by Mark Smith, with support from Gabriel Ebulue, winner of the Comedy Store King Gong Award.

The evening will also feature new local comedy talent selected from an open audition being held on Thursday, September 18.

With financial assistance from Croydon Council, The Studio is a brand new addition to the facilities Fairfield has to offer, seating up to 100 people.

Simon Thomsett, chief executive, said: “It’s exciting at last to have this small scale studio space where we can present comedy, children’s shows and cabaret in an informal setting, it’s just right for these shows and I am sure will quickly become a popular part of the Fairfield offer. 

And it’s particularly thrilling to start things off with our Comedy Network which features new acts from the local area as well as established professionals, all in an intimate laid back setting.” 

Fairfield Halls has also ungraded its website which now features an online archive unique among UK venues and theatres.

As well as chronicling the 50 year history of Croydon’s landmark venue, it also serves as an illustrated history of post-war British theatre, light entertainment, comedy, rock, pop, classical music and dance.

The archive is a constantly growing resource that also includes several thousand photographs, programmes and posters of many of the international stars that have toured the UK during the 1960s and 1970s.

The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and promotional material for the likes of Johnny Cash and The Who, amongst others, all feature within it.

Croydon Council has committed over £30m to a phased redevelopment over the next three years. This work has so far included a new sound system, a studio space, new box office IT, the new website, digital cinema equipment and the new foyer.

For more information on The Studio, shows, events and to view the new website, please visit: www.fairfield.co.uk