The UK’s leading free performing and creative arts school, The BRIT School, will bring the creativity, energy and diversity of its students to Croydon’s town centre when it launches a dazzling new series of pop-performances this month.
From 28 November, BRIT Presents, an exciting new programme of outdoor showcases in public spaces, will offer shoppers and visitors a fantastic range of free entertainment from The BRIT School students, before Christmas and beyond.
With an alumni that includes Adele, Katy B, Leona Lewis, Katie Tempest, Loyle Carner and many more, the school is renowned for producing some of the biggest names in performing arts, with some students becoming global stars.
BRIT Presents will include a range of performances from some of their most talented pupils, ranging from musical theatre classics to their own compositions, to their vibrant contemporary dance troupe Khronos.
The programme gets under way on 29 November when Khronos will perform at Centrale Shopping Centre at 4.30pm, 5pm and 5.30pm.
On Wednesday 5 December, musical theatre students will perform two 30-minute shows at North End at 5pm and 6pm.
The final performances before Christmas will take place on Wednesday 12 December, when musical theatre students will perform two 30-minute shows in the pedestrianised area of the High Street.
BRIT Presents will continue until June 2019, with details of upcoming events published in the New Year.
BRIT Presents is sponsored by Croydon Council and Croydon BID. The programme has been developed through Croydon’s new Cultural Partnership, which brings together the borough’s leading and local arts organisations to create new opportunities and events.
This is the latest highlight in Croydon’s cultural calendar, which in the last month has included a large-scale performance from London’s leading contemporary dance organisation, Dance Umbrella and Croydon’s first spoken word festival, Living in Poetry.
“This exciting new addition to our cultural calendar, BRIT Presents, goes absolutely to the heart of our arts ethos in Croydon. We are bringing first-class entertainment to our town centre, accessible, free and open to all, while creating showcase opportunities for some of our most talented young people.
“The BRIT School is renowned for producing some of the biggest names in performing arts, so Croydon’s shoppers could be well enjoying performances from the stars of tomorrow. We’re incredibly proud to have them all here in Croydon, and I’m delighted more people will have the opportunity to enjoy their creativity.”
Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport
Matthew Sims, chief executive, Croydon BID, said: “The BRIT School typifies the talent of our young people in Croydon today and as such the opportunity to collaborate on this exciting venture, especially at Christmas, offers all those that live, work and visit Croydon the chance to see some of the very best in music, dance and theatre. We are asking one and all to join us this Christmas in Croydon as we celebrate with a full schedule of activities to brighten your day and shopping experience as the festive season approaches.”
Ray Oudkerk, assistant principal for performing arts, said: “The BRIT School is proud to be partnering with Croydon Council and Croydon BID to bring the energy, ambition, diversity and creativity of our students to the heart of Croydon. We hope these BRIT performances in the run up to Christmas will be great to experience as an audience and inspire other young people in Croydon to find their own voices through the arts. We passionately believe all young people should have the opportunity to develop their artistic expression, whether it’s from music, film, dance, theatre, or digital design.”
