The venue was opened by Highgate’s staunchest ‘people power’ campaigner Nicky Gavron and the birthday bash took place almost a year after the former Deputy Mayor of London died aged 82 last August.
Gavron co-founded Jacksons Lane in 1975 and was its champion, and also successfully campaigned against the controversial widening of the Archway Road. Her political career mirrored Jacksons Lane, spanning five decades.
A commemoration plaque was unveiled to honour Gavron’s contribution to north London’s vibrant arts scene.
The festival kicked off with a circus parade along Archway Road with performers on stilts ‘walking tall’ in her memory.
A community barbecue shared food and stories with a ‘listening’ studio recording memories and voices of Jacksons Lane.
Pop-up performances were put on by cabaret, circus and drag artists. A heritage trail was laid on outside with shop-window displays along Archway Road.
Here are some key moments in the timeline of Jacksons Lane:
- 1975-76: Arnold Wesker’s Royal Hunt of the Sun is the first production, followed by Sir Ian McKellen playing ‘editor’ in The Journalists written and directed by Wesker. Also performing are Adam Ant, Tom Robinson and Joe Strummer.
- 1980s: Eddie Izzard signs up to a comedy course and makes his first professional appearance, while also starting their careers are Theatre de Complicite and Shared Experience.
- 1990s: Sadlers Wells’ Mosaics dance festival is staged, with future stars like Jonzi D, Rosemary Lee, Russell Maliphant and Jasmin Vardimon. The Mighty Boosh launch their career with a first performance.
- 2000s: Britain’s first disability arts festival, Xposure, is produced with performances all around London.
- 2010s: Jacksons Lane reopens after a storm caused the roof to collapse! Big-names help the relaunch like Alan Carr, Ricky Gervais, Germain Greer, Michael McIntyre, Stephen Merchant, Ruby Wax and Benjamin Zephaniah. The London International Mime Festival returns after 30 years with four international shows a year throughout the decade.
- 2020s: The new venue for Contemporary Circus with a £4.6million makeover and also a big donation from George Michael’s estate. Its Freedom Studio is named in his memory.
Jacksons Lane was built as a Wesleyan Methodist church in 1905. It became a community centre in March 1975.
