THE RIVER MAGAZINE | Spring 2018 23 | C U L T U R E | to the co-founders and former National Theatre bosses about the Bridge Theatre. when we came here we knew that it would take some beating,”explains Starr, who left the National Theatre in 2014 followed by Hytner in 2015. “We started our search three years ago. Southwark Council had told the developers (Berkeley Homes) that they needed to include a cultural centre so we put forward a proposal for a theatre.” The impressive exterior is echoed inside. A light and airy foyer welcomes visitors and leads to the auditorium, which was designed to respond to shows with different formats, among them end-stage, thrust-stage and promenade. “The stage is flexible so the seats can be removed. You can do so much inside and for a theatre of this scale it’s so unique,”enthuses Starr. So what can audiences expect? The Bridge will present four or five new productions year- round as well as intimate gigs and conversations on food, fashion, politics and science. Recent highlights include an evening with artist Grayson Perry and author Catherine Mayer. “Our agenda is really simple – it is to programme work that we’re really proud of and sell as many OPENS by natalie li