THE VENUE

Janet Viola

​

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Born in London, Janet Viola made her professional stage debut at the age of 11, performing alongside Dora Bryan and Larry Grayson. She went on to perform in many variety shows, festivals and pantomimes before being accepted to the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts on a full scholarship. Janet studied Classical ballet, Tap, Modern Dance, Contemporary Dance, National Dance, Jazz, Choreography and graduated with full RAD and ISTD teaching qualifications. Janet also won the prestigious 1979 Dancing Times choreographic award.

 

After completing her training, Janet joined Southern Ballet Company under the Artistic Direction of Miss Shirley Rees Edwards, touring the UK. Janet also danced for the Rambert choreographic workshops with Steven Ward, then toured with Dublin City Ballet and further went on to pursue a career in Musical Theatre.

 

In 1984 Janet created a thriving performing arts centre in East London’s Bow Church working with Sir Andrew Mawson OBE, before moving her performing arts school to a set of warehouses in The Docklands in 1991, at a time when the DLR was new and Canary Wharf stood tall as the only high rise tower on the island. Alongside the key guidance of her father and commercial property developer, Gerald Edward Robinson, Janet was also supported by London Docklands Development Corporation in creating a new arts & cultural hub on the island.

 

Janet Viola Dance Company was first launched in 1995 with six young dancers performing in local festivals, hospitals and East London venues but was sadly closed following the South Quay bombing in 1996, with her immediate attention required for the Lanterns buildings damaged in the blast.

 

Lanterns School of the Performing Arts opened in 1991, closely followed by the full-time Lanterns Arts & Educational Nursery in 1995. Lanterns was moved from its original premises at Lanterns Court after 17 years, to its current premises nearby in MillHarbour as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Isle of Dogs in 2008.

 

With the nursery school thriving and the performing arts school continuing to provide its services to the local community, Janet transformed the top floor of the Lanterns premises into Lanterns Studio Theatre in 2011.

 

In 2018, Janet received a nomination as one of the 8 finalists for the Female Entrepreneur of the Year category at the Forward Ladies National Awards Summit 2018, Sponsored by HSBC.

 

With over 30 years of experience providing key services to the local Docklands & Canary Wharf community, Lanterns Centre for Arts & Education has become central to cultural development and community engagement on the Isle of Dogs.