Oral Histories
Ade Berry is Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Jacksons Lane. Ade was born in Nottingham and it was his family’s love for music and arts that led him to forming successful bands like the Alberteens. He studied drama in Liverpool, co-founded Hull Freetown Theater Company, and directed in Sierra Leone before managing a London comedy club. Ade joined Jacksons Lane in 1996, rising to Programme Director by 2002. After developing a circus programme at Trinity in Tunbridge Wells, he returned to Jacksons Lane in 2006. In December 2006 a concrete collapse caused a year-long closure. Despite financial struggles, Berry was part of rebuilding the venue and growing Jacksons Lane’s circus programme and international partnerships. Ade talks about the power of circus and working with incredible people.
This interview was conducted on 13th February and 7th March 2025 by Marie Horner, Oral History Project Producer at Jacksons Lane.
Audio Recording Transcript