A PERFORMING arts centre was opened at Alton College on Friday by actor, director and writer Steven Berkoff. Mr Berkoff, famous for his distinctive modernist work, unveiled the £1.2 million on-budget and on- time Berkoff Performing Arts Centre, which was concealed behind a giant, pink silk shroud. Later he gave sixth form drama students an acting masterclass before performing his acclaimed solo show, Shakespeare's Villains in the evening. The new state-of-the-art centre will be used to train students of drama and theatre studies, music and dance and will offer the wider community a valuable resource for visiting theatre and community groups. Designed to stand out at the front of the college, the contemporary and energy-efficient building built of glass, blue render and cedar wood panels, includes a visitor reception, bar, a 100-tiered seat theatre with professional lighting and sound systems, and a double-height, mirrored dance studio with sprung floor. There are also two teaching rooms, IT facilities, acoustic walls, rehearsal space, scenery store and a props and costume room. Mr Berkoff said: "A town should have a soul and that comes from the creative arts. Performing arts links everyone and is also a way to open doors to all those mysteries of drama. It is an incredible journey. Plays teach us and make us better people than we were. One should never underestimate the power of the theatre. "When I was studying drama, aspiring performers had little choice but to follow the well-trodden path and head to London to develop in our profession. "The launch of this performing arts centre is opening up opportunity at a local level, given talented young people a chance to use world-class facilities in an inspirational environment. "This is the first project I have put my name to, and I'm immensely proud to do so." Head of Drama at the college, Kevin Davey, said he was delighted, and believed the modern enclosed facilities would do justice to the talented college students who come from a wide catchment area. He added: "The support of Berkoff recognises that we have some of the most outstanding drama and theatre facilities in the region. "Berkoff is recognised as having changed the face of theatre studies and acting as one of the country's leading practitioners, and his innovative work has pushed boundaries and inspired those learning the arts. "His theatrical techniques and expression are crucial to the study of drama. These methods empower our students to become more culturally and politically aware and work far beyond what is expected of them at sixth form level." "It was a no-brainer to put an identity to this building. I have admired his work for many years and his production values. This is a branding of excellence and Steven Berkoff can only serve as an inspiration." After the opening, works by college arts students – Tamasine McNabb's a painting of the new centre, and Laura Easton-Harris's portrait of Berkoff, were unveiled. Live music was played by college band, Jazz Factory.
