OUR HISTORY
Millfield THEATRE
Millfield Theatre opened on 15 December 1988 in the grounds of Millfield House on Silver Street in Edmonton, North London. At the time, it was the first new theatre built in London since the National Theatre in 1963 and was designed as a flexible venue seating up to 360 people.
The theatre’s first production was the pantomime Humpty Dumpty, starring Bobby Crush, beginning a much-loved tradition of annual Christmas pantomimes that continues today. Over the years, Millfield Theatre became home to many of Enfield’s amateur dramatic societies, whose legacy is still reflected in seats named in their honour throughout the auditorium.
Millfield quickly established itself as a centre for variety, music and comedy in Enfield, welcoming performers such as Danny La Rue, Paul Daniels, Cleo Laine, Chas & Dave, Georgie Fame and George Melly. Stand-up comedy has always been central to the programme, with appearances from Stephen K Amos, Omid Djalili, Russell Howard, Harry Hill, Tim Minchin, Tim Vine, Jenny Eclair and Stewart Lee.
In 2009, the theatre underwent a front-of-house refurbishment, after which the main auditorium was renamed the Sir Bruce Forsyth Auditorium. Sir Bruce Forsyth, who was born in Edmonton just a short walk from the theatre, officially reopened the venue later that year.
Now operated by Platinum Performing Arts, Millfield Theatre and Millfield House have entered a new chapter. Recent refurbishment and investment have ensured the venue continues to serve modern audiences, artists and the local community, while remaining true to its heritage. Today, Millfield is also home to Platinum Academy of Performing Arts, supporting the next generation of performers and creatives.
Millfield house
Millfield House was first recorded in 1796 in the minutes of the Edmonton Vestry, when it was owned by John Wigston of Trent Park. At this time, the house was let to the Imperial Ambassador of the German Empire.
After passing through several owners from the landed gentry, the house was sold in 1849 to the Strand Union Guardians and became a school for London workhouse children. Over the following decades, a number of extensions were added, and by 1897 the school housed around 400 children. It operated as a largely self-sufficient community, with cultivated land and livestock, and provided practical training for children in a range of trades.
The school closed in 1913, and during the First World War the building was used to house Belgian refugees. In 1915, Millfield House was converted into St David’s Hospital for Epileptics by the Metropolitan Asylums Board.
In 1971, the house was acquired by the London Borough of Enfield, which undertook renovations and removed many of the former workhouse buildings. Several historic structures from this period remain, including a lodge and outbuildings, as well as an early 20th-century lodge.
Millfield House reopened as an Arts Centre in 1979, beginning its role as a space for creativity and community activity. The surrounding gardens include one of the few remaining communal air-raid shelters in Enfield, with St David’s Play Area located nearby.
The house underwent extensive refurbishment in 2010–11 and was officially reopened by actor Rudolph Walker. Today, Millfield House forms part of the Millfield Arts Centre, alongside Millfield Theatre and is operated by Platinum Performing Arts, continuing its long history of public use as a place for culture, learning and community engagement.
