A three-way partnership of Greenwich & Lewisham Young People's Theatre, Lewisham Arts Service and Downham Pride spent over a year researching the possibility of creating a lorry trailer that would convert into a mobile theatre and performance space that would be a fun and versatile venue that could be used to host a varied range of arts and performance experiences.

In 2005 GLYPT, with conversion partners Johnston Pullen and Trafalgar Lighting and principal partners, haulage firm Stephen Robinson & Sons, converted a second-hand 40-foot trailer into a space capable of seating 36–38 people (possibly more if it were a young people’s audience).

Inside this ‘black box’ is a 12’ by 8’ (3.8m x 2.3m) stage area complete with a small lighting rig and built-in sound system, microphones, a video projector and screen.

The space is fully accessible from a ramp on one side and steps on the other.

Seating is removable bench-style, seating, which can be removed to vary the spatial dimensions.  The front row can also be removed to accommodate up to two wheelchair users.

Usage

StagesTruck had its maiden voyage on June 18, 2005 at Downham Celebrates.  It was used for tours and the screening of the film The Incredibles.  An estimated 100 people attended film screenings.

On June 25 StagesTruck crossed the border into Greenwich, where it found pride of place opposite the Cutty Sark for NESTA’s Ignite! Friendship Festival/London 2012 exhibition.  NESTA estimated over 2,000 visitors through the space on the day.

On Saturday and Sunday July 9 & 10, 2005 the truck was resident in Mountfield Park for Lewisham People’s Day, where it as used as a cinema, for puppet shows, storytelling, performance poetry and storytelling workshops.  Over the course of the weekend more than 1,000 people visited the space.

Lewisham Housing Service hired the truck for the Selwood Street Party on July 2 and 3, 2005. It was used to show locally-made films about the community. 

On  August 24 and 26 it was at Shroffold Green for Lewisham Youth Service showing films for children attending a Playscheme based at Bromley and Downham Youth Centre

On December 16 the truck was on Downham Way showing film screenings for over 100 people as part of the Downham Christmas Lights.

In April and May 2006, StagesTruck became Lewisham's first mobile cinema, providing the venue for the Downham Film Club.

Over the bank holiday weekend May 27-28, StagesTruck once again became a cinema venue, this time Cinema Paradiso hosting the East End Film Festival at Fusion East's Paradise Gardens event in London's East End.

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