New Diorama was built as a Section 106 building, following direct demand from our local community for a new, vibrant local theatre.
Working alongside our principal supporter British Land, Camden Council and our community partners, NDT is now the cultural and creative heart of our community, engaging the full cross section of our local residents - young and old.
Alongside affordable, discounted tickets, regular performances especially for our schools, matinee performances for elderly residents at risk of isolation, and our popular Camden Youth Theatre - NDT also hosts and supports multiple performances each year made and performed by residents themselves.
We also work closely with our local Primary Schools, over 2021-24 running a four-year programme commissioning artists to work in classrooms and co-create a performance with local 7-11 year-olds. Each summer, a fully-produced version of the show then tours across Camden & wider London completely for free in school and community venues, reaching thousands of children.
Today our community programme engages with over 11,000 local people each year, making it one of the most successful in UK. In recognition of it's success, NDT have previously been named as Mayor of Camden's Charity and, with partner British Land, won several coveted Business in the Community Big Tick Awards.
Our Community Partners
Our brilliant NDT Community Partners represent the breadth of residents for whom New Diorama is their creative home.
Fitzrovia Youth In Action – FYA and New Diorama began an exciting partnership in order to provide young people in the Fitzrovia area with a space to perform, workshop and showcase their creative work.
In their own words, FYA "support local disadvantaged young people in developing projects which address the issues they care about, such as community cohesion, healthy living, conflict, drugs and alcohol."
Third Age Project – TAP have been working with New Diorama since we first opened, delivering activities for West Euston residents over 65. New Diorama have provided the space and time to present an annual Pantomime, performances for International Older People's Day and other events.
Third Age Project is a company reaching out to an older generation in our community who find themselves alone, offering creative opportunities to bring people together.
Pan Intercultural Arts - Based in Camden, Pan Intercultural Arts is a leading force in using the arts to inspire social change, running regular programmes with participants including young refugees, unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, survivors of trafficking and young people at risk of entering crime. NDT regularly provides space and support for performances by different groups throughout the year.
West Euston Partnership - The first community partnership ever made by New Diorama, WEP was was set up by local people in 1992 to help make the area a better place to live and work.
"NDT is a fantastic resource for the entire local community. In addition to bringing award-winning productions to our doorstep, it offers extensive opportunities for local people of all ages and nationalities to explore their creativity and provides a creative hub around which the whole community comes together."
Heather Johnson, Our Local Camden Councillor and twice Mayor of Camden.