Celebrating 25 years of Encore

​It’s our Silver Anniversary!

 

The Ellen Terry Building has long been a home for performance. Built in 1880 as a music hall, it later became the Gaumont Picture Palace in 1931—a grand 2,500-seat cinema complete with a ballroom and a stage for live acts. The building suffered significant damage during the Coventry Blitz, including a devastating hit in 1941 that destroyed the ballroom. Yet, like the city itself, it was rebuilt and restored. In 1967, it was renamed the Odeon, and in 2000, it found new life as the Ellen Terry Building, housing the Coventry School of Performing Arts. With this new chapter, a tradition was born—the first festival of final-year performance work was staged here that same year.

 

Now, 25 years later, our annual showcase remains a vital platform for our graduating students, a space where fresh talent, bold creativity, and innovative storytelling come to life. While the course name has evolved from ‘Theatre’ to ‘Acting’, our commitment remains unchanged: to present the very best in new and emerging live performance.

 

This year’s Encore Festival promises an exciting mix of performances, reflecting the vibrancy and creativity of our students. From compelling new writing to uproarious physical comedy, from enchanting children’s theatre to daring, boundary-pushing experimental pieces, from masterful clowning to UK premieres of international scripts—there’s something to inspire, challenge, and entertain every audience member. Whether you’re looking for laughter, thought-provoking drama, or something completely unexpected, there’s something for everyone.

 

Join us as we celebrate the past, revel in the present, and look forward to the future of performance.

 

Here’s to the next 25!