A LEGEND in the world of theatre who has been at the heart of drama in Redbridge for more than three decades is set to retire.

Vivyan Ellacott has been the manager and artistic director of the Kenneth More Theatre throughout its entire 35-year-history, and even helped oversee the design and construction of the building.

The theatre, in Ilford, is home to a wide variety of drama groups including the Wanstead Players and the Woodford Operatic And Dramatic Society (WOADS), and has helped nurture generations of actors and actresses.

Explaining his decision to leave, Mr Ellacott said: “I feel the time has come to hand over to a younger person. I don't think I'm quite as in touch with the younger audiences and contemporary culture as I should be.

“So for the good of the theatre it's time for a change – plus I can't do these 12 hour days anymore.”

Looking back on his career, he said: “Whenever I go to a West End show most of the time when I look in the programme I read how someone started their career at the Kenneth More theatre. You get a real kick out of that.”

“When I first started at the theatre in the 1970s they wanted me to sign a contract and I was really quite torn,” he said.

“I had seen the theatre being built and I felt like it was my baby, but I wasn't sure if I could commit myself to a deal which I thought might hold back my career. But in the end I agreed to sign up for three years – and that was 35 years ago!”

However a deal was struck between the theatre's owners and Mr Ellacott which allowed him to work on a freelance basis on other productions at the same time as him keeping a watchful eye on his Ilford base.

One personal highlight was his 1983 production of the hit musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

It ended up touring non-stop across the country for five years, before a six month stint across Europe.

Mr Ellacott now plans to go to Romania to teach English Literature for a few months.

“I need to get away otherwise I fear I shall become like the Phantom of the Opera,” he explained.

However Mr Ellacott will still have involvement in Kenneth More on an artistic level.

A benefit show to mark his retirement will be held at the theatre on Sunday September 5.