THE actor who originally played Martin Fowler has launched his very own theatre in the West End 18 years after leaving Albert Square.
James Alexandrou played Martin, the son of Pauline and Arthur Fowler, from 1996 to 2006, taking over from Jon Peynton-Price.
His explosive storylines saw him father a baby with Sonia Jackson (Natalie Cassidy), go off the rails, and kill Jamie Mitchell and Jack Ryder.
He left in 2007 and was replaced by the current Martin Fowler, James Bye.
But 18 years later, he has swapped the East End for the West End as he opens up his own theatre Playhouse East – a brand-new venue dedicated to creating groundbreaking work in theatre, music, and film.
News of the new theatre was confirmed on his Actor’s East Instagram page, with a post saying: “After 10 months of building works, we’re thrilled to announce the opening of our brand-new theatre, Playhouse East!
On his personal account he said: “My wife and I, along with a collection of moments and lunatics who are in on this ride with us, are building something. We’re making lots of mistakes and learning a lot.
“The truth is, there’s never been a flood of people running at me to give me work. I’ve mostly had to create my own. And now, I’m building my own little theatre so I can create work within it.
“An incredible byproduct of that is inviting others to rent studios from me—people who are on their own amazing creative journeys, from filmmakers to sound designers, sunglasses designers to prop makers.
“We’re tired, broke, and satisfied. There’s so much to tell and share.
“We are rehoming @actorseast inside our new building @playhouseeast.
“After the loss of a treasured member of our acting studio this year, it feels like there’s rebuilding to do within our community as well.
“I’ve also started a post-audio production company and studios for hire, @rumble.post, with two of the most excellent and incredibly talented sound designers: @dan.hibbert and @olivermapp. It includes sound editing studios and a Dolby Atmos dubbing theatre.”
He personally named friends who had helped them along the journey and paid tribute to his wife.
The first show the theatre will put on is Casserole, directed by James and written by him, Kate Kelly Flood, and Dom Morgan.
This is Actors East’s first play, and it is described as a blisteringly funny and emotionally raw one-act play that looks at how grief causes people to hide from one another in a relationship.
The Actors East Instagram post added: “To celebrate, we’re bringing back the critically acclaimed, triple Offie-nominated show, Casserole, fresh from its celebrated run at the Arcola Theatre earlier this year, for an exclusive one-week run only from December 13-20.”
Fans welcomed the news of the new show and the theatre opening with one saying: “Brilliant news, what a show.”
Another said, “Brilliant stuff. I have no doubt this will be amazing, and I look forward to jumping in and performing there, too.”
A third said, “Thank you for all you have all done—a truly MIGHTY feat. I look forward to collaborating very soon.”
