Staff and students at a college are celebrating the grand opening of their new state-of-the-art theatre.

The grand opening of Box Theatre in the Chadwell Heath campus, at Redbridge College, took place yesterday (November 2).

The performing arts facility, which seats 250 people, was given the go-ahead from the Skills Funding Agency in November 2013 and has been under construction since the summer of 2014.

It features seating which can be folded away through the touch of a button.

Redbridge College, Tower Hamlets College and Newham College announced in April that they were forming an alliance to provide a viable solution to budget cuts and funding concerns.

Performances in the Box Theatre will be scheduled for spring 2016.

Redbridge College chief executive, Theresa Drowley, said: “Linking skills such as technical sound engineering and recording in a professional onsite facility, will meet the needs of employers to hire skilled technical workers and the possibilities are endless.

“Opportunities in this industry have never been so high or sought after.”

Gerry McDonald, principal of Tower Hamlets College, said: “The arts in London are booming and there are hundreds of opportunities for talented and creative people.

“This new complex will really give the students the best stage to perfect their talents and skills to compete successfully for jobs in the arts and creative sector.”