* New cafe/bar to be open seven days a week
* Danny, the Champion of the World to be directed by the artistic director of Matilda the Musical
* Summer performance academy to open
* Local performers to be part of home-grown panto this Christmas
Their cosy office gives little indication of this pair's big ambitions to revive the fortunes of Hounslow's Paul Robeson Theatre.
But the 2,500 hopefuls who auditioned for Danny, the Champion of the World - due to open there this March ahead of a UK tour - show the grand scale of the duo's plans.
I meet Philip Ryder and Jonathan Ashby-Rock in their makeshift office, tucked away behind the theatre's kitchens, where a model plane hangs from the ceiling, flyers cover the walls and a pair of comedy and tragedy mask coat hangers complement the thespian decor.
It's hard to believe that a matter of weeks ago this was a cold storage room, and, having put their unique stamp on the cramped working quarters, the duo now hope to do the same for the theatre.
Philip and Jonathan first met as teenagers at the Paul Robeson Theatre, beside Hounslow library, upstairs in the Treaty Centre, during a youth theatre production.
They went on to form London Contemporary Theatre in 2012, producing shows including last summer's outdoor performances of Treasure Island and A Midsummer Night's Dream at Boston Manor and Gunnersbury Park.
People's theatre
Now back at the 280-seat council-owned venue where their friendship began, they have no illusions about the challenge facing them. After all, it is not long since the spectre of closure was hanging over the theatre. But they appear invigorated by the opportunity.
"We want to have a similar programme to Richmond Theatre but make it a bit more accessible to the diverse community on its doorstep. We're keen to make it the people's theatre, where everyone feels welcome and has the chance to get involved," says Philip, LCT's managing director.
The venue is already well used by schools and community groups but is not known for the calibre of its productions, and that is something they are desperate to change.
New cafe/bar
One of their first steps has been to create a new name, Hounslow Arts Centre, and a snazzy new website. The fresh moniker represents both a new beginning and the community's ownership of the venue, though the auditorium itself will still be called the Paul Robeson Theatre.
They also plan to open the cafe and bar seven days a week - modelling it on the National Theatre's Propstore pop-up venue, which featured props from past productions.
Top touring companies
But the main attraction was always going to be the shows, and they have used their industry connections to put together a strong initial line-up.
Hounslow Arts Centre will open on March 6 with a new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde produced by the award-winning theatre company Sell A Door.
An adaptation of Charles Dickens' Bleak House, the classic classroom comedy Teechers and an appearance by the acclaimed Reduced Shakespeare Company are among the treats in store during the first three months.
LCT's own production of Danny, the Champion of the World - directed by Lotte Wakeham, associate director of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda the Musical - will be the marquee show, playing for five days in Hounslow before heading off on a 42-venue UK tour.
Just getting the rights to Roald Dahl's cherished tale about a boy and his father taking on a greedy businessman is a coup, with that honour being awarded to only one production outside London's West End.
"We had people coming all the way from Swansea to audition for Danny and we're really excited about the project," says LCT's artistic director Jonathan.
"We're lucky that thanks to our connections we've got a lot of very good companies willing to give it a go and come here. We also want to use those connections to create opportunities for young people in this area.
"So many stage schools only get to rehearse at schools or village halls, and we want to open up this great space for people to learn about theatre and all the technical elements.
"Our pantomime this Christmas will be a huge part of that. We want to engage with lots of dance schools and performers to get them involved in that production, which will run throughout December."
The arts centre will also host concerts, dance shows, films and art exhibitions, and will provide a home for LCT's new performance school and academy this summer, for children aged four to 16 and six to 18 respectively. It will also remain open to the many groups already using it for yoga, school talks and other activities.
Makeover for theatre
In the long-term, they hope to secure an Arts Council grant to give the auditorium itself a much-needed makeover.
About 70 balcony seats are currently out of commission, as they have been for years due to water damage, and the primary 'concentration' colours are ideal for sleep-inducing lectures but less than welcoming for theatregoers.
More wing-space is also needed to accommodate touring productions, so there is plenty of work to be done, but Philip and Jonathan are confident they can realise their ambitions.
"It's not just about improving the appearance; it's going to take a lot of work to re-establish the theatre within the community because it's been dormant for so long," says the former.
"We're confident we can do that by working with those groups which already use it and encouraging as many new faces as possible to get involved.
"We want to be a big part of the ongoing regeneration of Hounslow town centre, where there's already a new outdoor arts space at Bell Square, the High Street is being modernised and hopefully a cinema is coming soon."
* You can find out more about Hounslow Arts Centre and book tickets at www.hounslowartscentre.co.uk .
