MAJOR STORIES in brief (scroll down to read in full) -
UNRESTRICTED VIEW CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AT THE HEN AND CHICKENS THEATRE
Image: Unrestricted View team at The Hen and Chickens Theatre, James Wren, Felicity Wren and Mark Lyminster
Unrestricted View, the London theatre company dedicated to fostering bold new writing and comedy, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary at the helm of the Hen & Chickens Theatre.
Unrestricted View's journey began in 1997, a love story intertwined with artistic passion. When Felicity Wren gifted James Wren a simple paper pad for their first wedding anniversary, it sparked a fire. James penned his first play, and together, the couple (now divorced but ever-collaborative) embarked on a remarkable theatrical adventure.
Their second production in 1999 landed them at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, a 54-seat black box pub theatre steeped in London's artistic spirit. The theatre was manager less at the time and after their run of their production, the then bar manager Dani Higginson asked James & Felicity if they would consider taking over the reins.
Over the past quarter-century, Unrestricted View has transformed the Hen & Chickens Theatre into a haven for artistic exploration. The company has provided a safe space for countless playwrights, directors, and actors to develop their craft and connect with industry professionals. Their efforts have yielded impressive results, nurturing the careers of comedic luminaries like Jimmy Carr, The Mighty Boosh, and Sarah Millican to name a few.
There have been ups and downs over the years with awards, fires, love stories and losing dear friends.
Unrestricted View's unwavering commitment to the artistic community extends beyond the stage. They curate three annual film festivals including the now BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) qualifying Unrestricted View Film Festival, providing a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work.
"For 25 years, Unrestricted View has been a catalyst for artistic expression," says Felicity "We are incredibly proud of the diverse voices we have championed and the artists we have helped launch. Our dedication to fostering new writing and comedy remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to many more years of pushing boundaries and celebrating artistic audacity at the Hen & Chickens Theatre."
About Unrestricted View
Unrestricted View is a London-based theatre company committed to providing a platform for bold new writing and innovative comedy. Established in 1997 By Felicity & James Wren, the company has nurtured the careers of numerous playwrights, directors, and actors while fostering a vibrant artistic community at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Unrestricted View also champions independent cinema through their three annual film festivals.
Felicity Wren (Co- Founder and Executive Director): Felicity is now based in LA, but is still very much involved in the running of the company. She is also Vice President of Development for The ISA (International Screenwriters Association) and Creative Screenwriter Productions.
James Wren (Co-Founder and Artistic Director): James is also Festival Director for Unrestricted View Film Festival (Now a BIFA Qualifying festival). He is also an actor/writer and a director of FMW Films.
Mark Lyminster (Theatre Manager): Mark has been a pretty much permanent fixture during our time at the H&C and is the heart, soul and Queen of this theatre. He is also an actor and Festival Director For Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival.
View all shows coming up at The Hen & Chickens Theatre and book here
Read our interview with James Wren
here
VOILA! THEATRE FESTIVAL returns 2024, and now includes pub theatre venues
'CONNECTING BORDER-BUSTING THEATRE TO CITIZENS OF EVERYWHERE'
VOILA! THEATRE FESTIVAL IS BACK! After celebrating 10 years at The Cockpit the team took a short break last year in order to relaunch with a new festival model. They are joining forces with a host of new venues to showcase even more panlingual theatre across London this November! The festival is produced by The Cockpit and expanded thanks to support from Arts Council England.
Voila! Theatre Festival is a place for artists to create, to connect, and to celebrate collaboration. The festival will support individuals and companies to make a daring leap: presenting a new piece of work, touring to a new audience, or translating a play into a new language. Previous programmes have included cross-cultural mash-ups, adaptations, bilingual comedies, devised theatre, solo performance, puppetry, clowning, circus, dance, music, stand-up, family shows, and more.
The festival embraces an entrepreneurial fringe model in order to platform emergent theatre: contemporary artist-led work that responds to our world with a sense of urgency. It supports and mentors theatre makers to take the next steps in self-producing their work, bypassing institutional gatekeepers. Voila! creates a home for artists to speak in their own voice, in their own accent, and in their own language.
The festival runs 4 - 24 November 2024 and applications are now open to take part, read more about this on the Voila Festival website HERE
THEATRE503 ANNOUNCES NEW SEASON OF WORK
THEATRE503 announces its new season of work which includes THE GREAT PRIVATION by NIA AKILAH ROBINSON (Theatre503's International Playwriting Award Finalist) among its 2024 premieres
Harlem playwright Nia Akilah Robinson’s The Great Privation: How to flip ten cents into a dollar premieres in May, and is directed by Theatre503’s Carne Associate Director and 2023 JMK Award Winner Kalungi Ssebandeke. The production is one of three world premieres of new plays by debut writers at the new writing powerhouse, to include Tachwedd by 503Five alumnus Jon Berry (October) and Bungalow by Ruth D’Silva (September).
Lisa Spirling, Artistic Director said: “Nia Akilah Robinson, Jon Berry and Ruth D’Silva are bold, brilliant debut writers all with the bravery and skill to crack open our hearts and minds in their quest for the humanity in us all. The audacious writing in their plays explores and then shatters the status quo of what has gone before, they ask difficult questions, hold up to the light big ideas and societal fault lines, and hold the characters within them with nuance and soul. We can’t wait to share their words and their worlds with you.”
Theatre503 is delighted to confirm that the Theatre503 International Playwriting Award will return for 2024/5, with submissions opening on 1 June 2024. Further information will be announced soon. Theatre503’s Writer’s Programme of online and in-person writing masterclasses and courses will continue through 2024, and a programme of new writing short runs during the Summer is to be announced.
The season in brief:
• The Great Privation: How to flip ten cents into a dollar by Nia Akilah Robinson, directed by Kalungi Ssebandeke, a Theatre503 production (14 May – 1 June 2024)
• Bungalow by Ruth D’Silva, directed by Beth Kapila, a co-production with Jessie Anand Productions (10 – 28 September 2024)
• Tachwedd by Jon Berry, directed by Jac Ifan Moore, a co-production with Phoebe Stringer Productions (15 October – 2 November 2024)
Further details are available here Theatre503
BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE announces the inaugural
LAMBETH FRINGE FESTIVAL
Building on the success of last year’s 8th critically acclaimed incarnation of the Clapham Fringe, The Bread and Roses Theatre today announces a dynamic rebranding and expansion of its flagship festival. Heading into the 9th year of the much-loved Off West End Festival, The Bread and Roses Theatre has continued to expand from 2023’s biggest and most international line-up, with companies from across the globe bringing us their work, including a production from Japan, and an expansion to five venues: Bread & Roses Theatre, Golden Goose (Camberwell) The Railway (Clapham), Two Brewers and Central Film School.
Each venue hosts a variety of work: The Bread & Roses Theatre and Golden Goose host Performance, Works In Progress and more; The Railway hosts Comedy Bandits; The Two Brewers hosts drag, spoken word and performance art and Central Film School hosts independent film screenings.
Alongside some of the best and most crowd-pleasing theatre, comedy, works in progress, experimental performance and emerging artists at our founder venue, the Festival is due to expand even further to include venues from across the borough of Lambeth, full details to be announced shortly.
The Festival team are also keen to hear from any venues in the Lambeth area who we have not yet reached out to, so please don’t hesitate to contact us at lambethfringe@breadandrosestheatre.co.uk
The Festival is curated and produced by the The Bread & Roses Theatre, led by Managing Director Rebecca Pryle, Artistic Director Velenzia Spearpoint and Associate Producer Alexander Knott.
The Bread and Roses team comment: “With 2024 being the ten year anniversary of The Bread & Roses Theatre, and the 9th year we have run this festival, it feels like the perfect time to spread our wings even wider, and bring the whole borough of Lambeth together for what we hope will be the fastest-growing and most vibrant Off West End arts festival in the city. With favourable deals for artists, and a wide range of venues to choose from, we can’t wait to welcome audiences to the very first Lambeth Fringe!”
The Guardian on the Bread and Roses: "A new wave of venues has opened in recent years, all on the sweetheart deals of old.”
The festival runs 19 September - 20 October 2024
Lambeth Fringe Festival on Facebook
Lambeth Fringe Festival on Twitter
NewsRevue transfers to the Seven Dials Playhouse for 3 weeks
NewsRevue is in a new home from this Thursday for the next 3 weeks whilst the Bridge House Pub that houses the Canal Cafe Theatre undergoes a major refurbishment. Featuring an uber talented cast of NewsRevue alumni waiting to wow audiences from a central London location. With material choices inspired from West End musicals, expect a witty takedown on the fiasco that was the Willy Wonka exhibition in Glasgow, Adelaide’s Lament by Vladimir Putin and a dazzling finale parodying the show tunes of Matilda ‘If I grow up, Protesting Children and the inexorable demise of the NHS to Naughty,” in addition to the usual hallmarks of this Guinness World Record-breaking show. Notes to Editors Title: NewsRevue Performance Dates: 7th to 23rd March, Thursdays to Saturdays at 9pm Running Time: 60 minutes Location: Seven Dials Playhouse, 1A Tower Street, London, WC2H 9NP Box Office: https://sevendialsplayhouse.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/ shows/ 1173652584 020 3841 6600 Tickets: £16.50/£20 (plus £1.50 booking fee) Director: James Larbow Musical Director: Andy Campbell Smith Cast: Alice Gold, Andrew Macmillan, Harry Rundle & Helen Cunning
We are very proud to announce that LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE is now an OFFIE AWARD WINNING publication
A ONEOFF Special Award has been awarded to London Pub Theatres Magazine and Editor Heather Jeffery for providing a vital forum for highlighting the excellent work that happens in rooms in pubs, with sensitive editing, and an acute sense of the importance of tiny fringe venues to the health and development of British Theatre
PUB THEATRES WIN at OffWestEnd AWARDS 2024
Image: Kate Bannister receives Artistic Director Award for her work at Brockley Jack Studio
The Offies are designed to celebrate the best of independent, alternative and fringe theatre across Greater London and at selected fringe festivals around the UK. Their 2024 ceremony, on the evening of Sunday, 25 February, at the Woolwich Works, gave out over 50 awards across an large range of categories and to a hugely diverse range of recipients. Over 850 people attended to participate in the second live Offies ceremony since March 2020.
Pub Theatres were winners in a number of categories.
The ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AWARD was presented to KATE BANNISTER, Artistic Director at the JACK STUDIO THEATRE. In her acceptance speech Kate pointed out the importance of small theatres to the theatre ecology and paid tribute to Karl Swinyard who runs the theatre with her. Our huge congratulations to her, on receiving this recognition for her work.
The PRODUCER AWARD was presented OPEN BAR THEATRE for their innovative open air productions in partnership with FULLER’S BREWERY.
PEOPLE’S VOTE AWARD for PROGRAMMES went to BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE in Penge
OFFIES - SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY went to THOMAS JUDD in
SENSE & SENSIBILITY / OPEN BAR THEATRE at FULLER’S pub gardens.
Image: Thomas Judd in Sense & Sensibility
Image: Scavengers
OFF FEST AWARD for CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL went to SCAVENGERS by BRYAN OLIVER (Urban Wolves Theatre Company) at ETCETERA THEATRE
Image: Wasteman
OFF FEST AWARD for GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE went to WASTEMAN by JOE LEATHER at KING’S ARMS pub theatre, Salford
FULL LIST OF OFFIES WINNERS 2024
SPECIAL AWARDS 2024
Artistic Director: Kate Bannister, Artistic Director, Jack Studio Theatre
Producer: Open Bar Theatre
Special Achievement: David Byrne, formerly at the New Diorama Theatre (now at the Royal Court)
PEOPLE’S VOTE – awards for venues, voted by the public
Foodie Experience: Park Theatre
Programmes: Bridge House Theatre
Theatre Bar: Kenneth More Theatre
Facilities: Queen's Theatre Hornchurch
Most Comfortable: Queen's Theatre Hornchurch
Most Welcoming: Orange Tree Theatre
Online Info & Booking: Queen's Theatre Hornchurch
Programming Policy: Orange Tree Theatre
Social Media Presence & Activities: Queen's Theatre Hornchurch
OffFest – awards for theatre at fringe festivals
Vault Festival
How We Begin / Surfacing Acts Theatre / Pit at the Vaults
Brighton Fringe
Experiment Human / Hooky Productions
Camden Fringe
Scavengers / Etcetera Theatre
Greater Manchester Fringe
Wasteman / Joe Leather / Kings Arms Salford
Edinburgh Fringe
MUSICALS & CIRCUS
Godfather Death: A Grimm's Musical / Greenside
LGBTQIA
52 Monologues for Young Transsexuals / Pleasance Courtyard
NEW WRITING
Mark Thomas's 'England & Son' / Summerhall
SOLO PERFORMANCE
SAD-VENTS / Underbelly
THEATRE
Diana the Untold and Untrue Story / Pleasance Dome
Offies
DESIGN
COSTUME DESIGN
Lambdog1066 / The Flea / Yard Theatre
SET DESIGN
Galya Solodovnikova / The White Factory / Marylebone Theatre
LIGHTING DESIGN
Ryan Joseph Stafford / Bacon / HFH Prodns / Riverside Studios
VIDEO DESIGN
Oleg Mikhailov / The White Factory / Marylebone Theatre
SOUND DESIGN
Sam MacDonald / Colossal / Soho Theatre
MUSICALS / OPERA / CABARET / PANTO
CHOREOGRAPHY / MOVEMENT
Matt Cole / Police Cops: The Musical / Southwark Playhouse
CABARET
Thick&Tight / Tits & Teeth: A Retrospective Of An Outstanding Career / Shoreditch Town Hall
PANTO DESIGN
Emily Bestow, Henry Slater, Liam McDermott, Pavlov’s Puppets / Snow White / Greenwich Theatre
PANTO PERFORMANCE
Ensemble / Tossed / Royal Vauxhall Tavern
PANTO PRODUCTION
Odyssey / Charles Court Opera / Jermyn St Theatre
OPERA PERFORMANCE
Heming Li / Turandot / The Opera Makers & Ellandar Prodns / Arcola: Grimeborn
OPERA PRODUCTION
Trouble in Tahiti / Arcola: Grimeborn
NEW MUSICAL
Zachary Hunt, Nathan Parkinson, Tom Roe, Ben Adams / Police Cops: The Musical / Southwark Playhouse
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Rio Kai / Recognition / Talawa / Fairfield Halls
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Annie Wensak / Flowers for Mrs Harris / Riverside Studios
Allie Dart / Unfortunate: the Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch / Southwark Playhouse
LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
SuRie / Annie Get Your Gun / Lavender Theatre
Lauryn Redding / Bloody Elle / Soho Theatre
DIRECTOR (MUSICALS)
Hannah Chissick / Eugenius / Turbine Theatre
MUSICAL PRODUCTION
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button / Southwark Playhouse
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
TYA DESIGN
Toby Olié, Daisy Beattie / Wolves in the Walls / Little Angel Theatre
TYA WRITING / ADAPTATION
Magero Otieno-Magero / He Said She Said / Kiln Theatre
TYA PERFORMANCE
Marijn Brussaard, René Groothof, Kim Karssen / The Invisible Man / Theater Artemis / Unicorn Theatre
TYA MUSIC / SOUND
Conrad Murray / Pied Piper / Battersea Arts Centre
TYA PRODUCTION
The Toymaker's Child / Chickenshed
CROSS-GENRE
ACCESS
High Times and Dirty Monsters / Bernie Grant Arts Centre
COMMUNITY OUTREACH YOUTH
The Realness / The Big House
ONLINE PRODUCTION
Father Unknown / Northern Stage
The Silence & The Noise / Pentabus & Rural Media
IDEA DESIGN
Sound Design by Persis-Jade Maravala & Ross Flight / Binaural Dinner Date / ZU-UK / University of Greenwich
IDEA PERFORMANCE
Gemma Paintin / The Talent / Action Hero & Deborah Pearson / Battersea Arts Centre
IDEA PRODUCTION
Kim Noble / Lullaby for Scavengers / Soho Theatre
NEWCOMER
Kasper Hilton-Hille / That Face / Orange Tree Theatre
PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE
Euan Wilson, Chioma Uma, Alice E Mayer, Harry Curley, Tom Crabtree, Christopher Atkinson / The Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria / Arcola
PLAYS
MOST PROMISING NEW PLAYWRIGHT
Rafaella Marcus / SAP / Soho Theatre
NEW PLAY
Mojisola Adebayo / Stars / Tamasha Theatre / ICA
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Dorothea Myer-Bennet / Possession / Arcola Theatre
Thomas Judd / Sense & Sensibility / Open Stage / Fullers Pub Gardens
PERFORMANCE PIECE
Sutara Gayle / The Legends of Them / Hackney Showroom & Brixton House
SOLO PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Samuel Barnett / Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen / Bush Theatre
LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Ned Costello / Leaves of Glass / Park Theatre
Sally Paffett / Vermin / Arcola
DIRECTOR (PLAYS)
Jay Miller / The Flea / Yard Theatre
PRODUCTION (PLAYS)
The White Factory / Marylebone Theatre
The Hope Theatre is Set to Continue at The Hope & Anchor
The Hope & Anchor pub in Islington, home of The Hope Theatre, has clarified that the multi award winning Theatre will not be closing following the recent announcement that the current producers, Solar Plexus, are stepping down. The pub is happy to confirm that it is still committed to the theatre’s future.
A spokesperson for The Hope & Anchor said: “The Hope Theatre is a place for artists to thrive and its commitment to artists, along with its long-standing in-house Agreement with Equity, is of paramount importance to us as we enter this new phase of The Hope Theatre in 2024 and beyond.
“We thank the Board of Solar Plexus Productions for their help during their sojourn at The Hope Theatre and we will continue our good work sticking to the principles and format that we have always held dear since the very beginning when we started The Hope Theatre 11 years ago."
“The future is very exciting as we look to grow the wonderful theatre based in the Hope & Anchor pub in Islington and build on its past successes. We look forward to sharing further news soon and we remain committed to those companies who are currently programmed at The Hope Theatre, and we encourage the theatre community to come support them.”
For further information on the current season at The Hope Theatre go to https://www.thehopetheatre.com/whats-on/.
DENHOLM SPURR named as new OFFWESTEND DIRECTOR
Actor/Producer Denholm Spurr named as new OffWestEnd Director.
“I want OffWestEnd to be not just a pat on the back but a hand to cling onto“
Incoming OffWestEnd director Denholm Spurr dedicates his tenure to transforming opportunities in the sector. OffWestEnd announced its successor at a glittering award ceremony at the Woolwich Works on Sunday 25 February. Denholm Spurr has been involved with OffWestEnd and The Offies for 12 years, originally serving as an assessor in 2012, before going on to produce both live and cyber ceremonies for the brand.
He’ll be taking over from Geoffrey Brown who recently announced he’ll be stepping down as Director from July this year. In a speech at the end of the ceremony, Spurr celebrated the outgoing director,’s “tremendous tenure” and named Brown as “a mentor, a friend, and a constant inspiration”.
Spurr also used his speech to outline his “unreservedly radical” mission statement as he becomes the youngest ever Director of the organisation, which was established in 2005 and founded the OffWestEnd Awards (The Offies) in 2010. He also paid tribute to OffWestEnd founded Sofie Mason & Diana Jervis-Reed who “unified” the sector through the organisation.
In his speech, Spurr candidly outlined the struggles he has faced as an artist and theatremaker in London — including experiencing homelessness and turning to “unconventional means” to sustain his creative career: “That's precisely why I'm taking on this role. I want to serve the community that has brought me so much joy despite the struggles. My tenure as Director of The Offies will be unreservedly radical, marked by a fearlessness in advocating for our community - for practitioners, for venues facing funding and lease dramas, and for producers investing in big ideas. I want to be a supporter of, a voice for and a collaborator with our community.”
He issued an open invitation to all UK creatives to get in touch to share their vision of how OffWestEnd can better help support the industry. He concluded by congratulating this years winners and finalists, a full list of which can be found here https://drive.google.com/file/d/169PUoWIVXi9WQ2Kq755ROz80Gj89Vw-_/view
You can read his speech in its entirety here https://drive.google.com/file/d/168qMn1S7FIVbY_Ag47bfLWiDei8XE6qn/view
Dispute over the next ARTISTIC DIRECTOR at THE HOPE THEATRE / Board steps down / Current season of shows continues until 8 June
The board of The Hope Theatre in Islington have resigned their roles after being unable to reach an agreement with the pub in which the theatre is located. Departing Artistic Director Phil Bartlett announced his intention to step down to the board last November, after two-and-a-half years in the position. After a wide search, a new candidate was chosen to take on the role with an expected start date in early March. However, after lengthy discussions with the pub it became clear there was no chance of an agreement on the future direction of the theatre. This made the position of the board as an independent charity untenable. The board will therefore step down from their position and dissolve Solar Plexus Productions, the company that currently manages the theatre.
Under Solar Plexus Productions, The Hope Theatre produced Off-West End hits including THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB STORY, HER ACHING HEART, LOVESONG OF THE ELECTRIC BEAR and many more, including most recently the professional UK premiere of Jen Silverman’s THE MOORS and intimate gig-theatre piece SNAKEHEAD.
The Hope Theatre was founded in 2013 by Adam Spreadbury-Maher as an extension of the old King’s Head theatre down Upper Street. It was the first Off-West End venue to open with a house agreement with Equity, the UK's largest performers union, to ensure a legal wage for all actors, stage managers and box office staff working at the theatre. The Hope was handed over to Matthew Parker in 2014 who ran it for five years. He was succeeded by Kennedy Bloomer and then Phil Bartlett, who will be the Hope Theatre’s final Artistic Director of this incarnation.
Productions at the Hope Theatre have previously transferred to the West End (USHERS: THE FOH MUSICAL to the Charing Cross Theatre, and Snoo Wilson's LOVESONG OF THE ELECTRIC BEAR to the Arts Theatre) and it has been home to many world premieres, including the professional world premiere of Joe Orton's FRED AND MADGE and Joel Samuels' adaptation of the Nick Hornby football memoir FEVER PITCH. The current Deputy Artistic Director, Ella Dale, will oversee a transition period to ensure all the companies who have been programmed at the Hope between now and June have a fantastic time and receive the attention and audiences that their shows deserve.
Paul Clayton, patron of the Hope, said: “This is a sad situation, and the relationship between venues and their companies is a delicate one. The Hope theatre has always put artists and their welfare first. If the theatre is run by someone they haven’t appointed, this is not possible. This also means that my position as patron is impossible and I will step down forthwith.” The space in which The Hope Theatre operated will remain in the hands of the pub.
The current season of shows continues until 8 June which can be viewed on The Hope Theatre website here
Historic OLD RED LION PUB & THEATRE is up for sale / the theatre continues to thrive
New proprietors are being sought for Islington's famous Old Red Lion pub and theatre which has gone on the market for £450,000 with Christie & Co. The theatre continues to thrive. Artistic director Jack Robertson comments: "This year alone we've had sold out runs, transfers, a festival of new diverse writing to rival Vaults plus a UK premiere & a touring revival coming up." The full theatre programme can be viewed on the website here
The Grade II listed pub, which was rebuilt and altered over the years, is one of the oldest pubs in London. The original tavern, called the “Redde Lyon”, stood on this spot in 1415. At this time, it was surrounded by countryside and fields. The present leaseholders are brothers Damien and Lorcan Devine, who took it on in July 2000 and who are now selling up. The pub is noted for its real ales and being home to one of London’s most renowned fringe theatres.
The theatre was founded by Charlie Hanson in 1979 and he became its first Artistic Director. When the lease was taken over by the Devines in July 2000, Helen Devine took over as Artistic Director between 2004-2010 and led the ORL to win the Empty Space Peter Brook Award and Dan Crawford Pub Theatre Award! Other Artistic Directors have included Clive Judd, Katy Danbury, Alexander Knott and the newly appointed Jack Robertson (managing the theatre since 2023).
Over the years the Old Red Lion Theatre has transferred work off-Broadway and four times to the West End. Notable hits beyond the Fringe include: The World Premiere of Arthur Miller's first play NO VILLAIN (Trafalgar Studios); THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG (Trafalgar Studios and No 1 Tour); MERCURY FUR (Trafalgar Studios); KISSING SID JAMES (London and off-Broadway); THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Old Red Lion Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket)
Those interested in taking it on, might like to know that the premises includes an 80-cover ground floor bar, a partially covered outside terrace for 20, a self contained flat for staff, and a fully fitted theatre seating up to 60. Due to its longevity and rich heritage, The Old Red Lion is a highly regarded establishment. The property also benefits from having a commercial kitchen, providing an opportunity for a new operator to develop the food trade.
Details of current shows at the theatre are on the Old Red Lion website here What's On (oldredliontheatre.co.uk)
New dining pub theatre STAGE DOOR opens its first season with MARRY ME A LITTLE
The Stage Door Theatre has announce its opening production will be Marry Me a Little, a musical with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman René.
The revue sets songs cut from Sondheim’s better-known musicals, as well as songs from his then-unproduced musical Saturday Night, to a dialogue-free plot about the relationship between two lonely New York single people, who are in emotional conflict during an evening in their separate one-room apartments. Despite knowing of the other’s existence, they never get up the courage to talk to each other, though they imagine what such an encounter might be like.
The Stage Door Theatre is a new pop-up fringe dinner-theatre venue above the Prince of Wales pub on Drury Lane. Operated by Lambco Productions, the venue will be somewhere to meet friends for drinks, dinner and a show. A one-stop shop for a welcoming night out amongst friends.
Marry Me a Little runs from 28 Feb - 13 April, more details and bookings are on the Stage Door Website here
Geoffrey Brown to leave OffWestEnd and the Offies
Geoffrey Brown is standing down at 30 June 2024, after 7 years as Director of OffWestEnd and the Offies. His successor will be announced at the 14th Offies Awards Ceremony on 25 February.
OffWestEnd exists to celebrate the full spectrum of independent and alternative theatres. The Offies Awards are a hugely successful aspect of the work of OffWestEnd – they recognise and celebrate the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of independent theatres across London (and beyond), helping to raise the profile and status of independent theatre by giving venues and companies greater power to promote their work individually and collectively and to reward the new talent that they nurture and that is essential to the future of our theatre industry.
OffWestEnd and the Offies were started in 2010 by Sofie Mason and Diana Jervis Read, and the first Offies awards ceremony was held in 2011. Activities and services grew and they stepped down in June 2017, when Geoffrey took over.
In Geoffrey’s 7 years, OffWestEnd and the Offies have grown and developed significantly with new Offies categories added, to include access and online categories. The Offies now send 2 assessors to over 400 shows per annum. The OffComm (Offies Commendation) was introduced to recognise the best of the many productions with short runs. The OffFest award was introduced for theatre performances at festivals, and this now includes fringe festivals in Brighton, Camden, Manchester and Edinburgh. Finally there is the occasional OneOff award to recognise special achievements.
The live awards ceremony was re-introduced in 2018, when 350 finalists, presenters, sponsors and guests gathered at The Albany in Deptford. In the next 2 years, the awards ceremony was held in the Grand Hall at Battersea Arts centre – and then Covid hit. During this period, there were 2 online ceremonies and then the first post-Covid live event in 2023 at Alexandra Palace. Around 900 people are expected to attend the 14th Offies Awards Ceremony next week, on 25 February, at the Woolwich Works. On a practical level, a new branding was introduced and Marketing services have been expanded.
Finally, it is to Geoffrey's credit that OffWestEnd and the Offies survived Covid even though their entire income (from marketing services and live awards event) virtually disappeared. Geoffrey says: “The last 7 years have been some of the most stimulating, exciting and challenging of my entire career of over 45 years of working in arts and culture."
Geoffrey's final Offie ceremony will be held at Woolwich Works 25 February 2024 – tickets can be purchased
here
JANUARY 2024
FINALISTS for OFF WEST END AWARDS 2024 include several productions at PUB THEATRES & PUB VENUES
Finalists for the OFFIES awards were announced online today (9 January) and include several shows produced at pub theatres and pub venues. These are listed below:
PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE
A Woman Walks into a Bank / Theatre503 / Keith Dunphy, Giulia Innocenti, Sam Newton
SOUND DESIGN
The Girl in the Green Room / Bridge House Theatre / Luke Adamson & Joseph Lindoe
LIGHTING DESIGN
Bacon / Finborough / Hannah Farley-Hills Productions / Ryan Joseph Stafford
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
A Brief List of Everyone Who Died / Finborough / Siphiwo Mahlentle
Sense & Sensibility / Open Stage / Fullers Pub Gardens / Thomas Judd
Cont.
Image: Siphiwo Mahlentle, nominated for Supporting Performance in A Brief List of Everyone Who Died at Finborough Theatre
Image: A Woman Walks into a Bank at Theatre503 picks up two nominations: Most Promising New Playwright and Performance Ensemble
MOST PROMISING NEW PLAYWRIGHT
A Woman Walks into a Bank / Theatre503 / Roxy Cook
The Boys Are Kissing / Theatre503 / Zak Zarafshan
COSTUME DESIGN
Sense & Sensibility / Open Bar / Fullers Pub Gardens / Grace Kelly Miller
NEWCOMER
Strangers In Between / Golden Goose Theatre /
Alex Ansdell
FINBOROUGH premiere, BACON, transfers to New York January 2024
Bacon by Sophie Swithinbank premiered at Finborough Theatre 2022. Produced by Salt Lick Productions, it transferred to Riverside Studios in London, then EDINBURGH and BRISTOL (in 2023). It then transferred to Soho Theatre in New York in 2024. The show has picked up many accolades along the way including Best Premiere (2022 London Pub Theatres), Duologues – Acting Award Winner for Corey Montague-Sholay and William Robinson (2022 London Pub Theatres), Lead Performance In A Play – William Robinson and Corey Montague-Sholay (OffWestEnd 2023) and Director (Plays) – Matthew Iliffe (OffWestEnd 2023).
GATHER TOGETHER storytelling festival opens at ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE
EVENTS currently running at GATHER TOGETHER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL:
Folklore, illustration, local stories, modern classics, community events, poetry and live music are coming together this winter at The Rosemary Branch for their first ever Gather Together Storytelling Festival, running 18 January - 4 February 2024.
Highlights include -
So many of our favourite stories come with pictures; to emulate that, the phenomenal Chris Riddell will live illustrate the award-winning Unwanted Objects, a story and song show by David Head and Matt Glover.
Local, national and international legend Cleo Sylvestre MBE is treating audiences to the incredible story of her life, accompanied by her live band, in Honey B Mama: Exposed. Hear how she was the first black woman to play a leading role at the National Theatre, recorded with the Rolling Stones and unearthed a long-buried, explosive family secret.
The live music continues in The Selkie’s Wife, a feminist retelling of the classic Selkie myth by award-winning Scottish folk musician and folklorist Essa Flett.
Multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed storytellers are gracing our stage during the festival to present first glimpses of their brand new work. See work-in-progress performances from James Rowland, Ben Target, Casey Jay Andrews, Joe Sellman-Leava and Aniruddh Ojha.
All stories are worth hearing, so Rosie B has got some opportunities in Gather Together for everyone to share theirs. Local Stories is an invitation for anyone to get on the stage and share. They are especially looking for stories of the local area, or stories from members of the local community, as these will all be audio recorded and archived by Islington Museum as a resource for generations to come.
Also in the festival Come Here ‘Til I Tell Ya
is a night of enchanting storytelling, soul-stirring poetry, and joyous revelry, dedicated to celebrating the rousing spirit of powerful Irish women. This show will be accompanied by
free community workshops looking at Irish women and power.
Plus, Rosie B's monthly comedy nights are getting in on the action with Tall Tales & Cocktails and Sketch Book both centering stories and storytelling in their shows.
Join the festival at Gather Together this winter for some brilliant entertainment and brand new perspectives. It’s the perfect time of year to curl up with a good story.
Gather Together Storytelling Festival
January 18th - February 4th 2024
The Rosemary Branch Theatre
2, Shepperton Road, London N1 3DT
Tickets and information: https://www.rosemarybranchtheatre.co.uk/
DECEMBER 2023
Robert McWhir is appointed Artistic Director of new pub theatre THE STAGE DOOR
New 200 seat West End fringe theatre venue The Stage Door Theatre is proud to announce the appointment of Robert McWhir as Artistic Director.
Robert was previously Artistic Director of the Landor Theatre in Clapham for 16 years, where his many productions included critically acclaimed versions of The Clockmaker’s Daughter, She Loves Me, The Man Inside, Meet Me In St Louis, A Class Act, Curtains, Ragtime, Tomorrow Morning, Into The Woods, I Love You Because and Follies.
McWhir says: “I’m thrilled and excited about this new venture and looking forward to announcing our inaugural season of productions early in the new year. Alongside plays and musicals there will be regular events including Overtures Sunday Roasts, Musical Mondays, Classical Music Matinees and special one-off nights such as The Love Shack on Valentine’s Day.”
Opening in January 2024, The Stage Door Theatre is a new pop-up fringe dinner-theatre venue above the Prince of Wales pub on Drury Lane. Operated by Lambco Productions, the venue will be somewhere to meet friends for drinks, dinner and a show. A one-stop shop for a welcoming night out amongst friends.
Executive Producer, Richard Lambert, says: “Robert’s vast experience in running a successful fringe venue along with extensive freelance directing experience makes him uniquely qualified to steer this new venture. Robert and I have worked together on many production in several different venues over the years, and I’m really looking forward to working together again.”
Further information and box office can be found of Stage Door Theatre website.
FINBOROUGH THEATRE adds PLAY SOUNDTRACKS to its #FinboroughFrontier FREE TO VIEW SERIES
Finborough Theatre have just launched a selection of soundtracks from Finborough Theatre productions, available to stream for free on Spotify.
Currently available playlists are:
Finborough Theatre Cast Recordings featuring original cast recordings of Finborough Theatre productions of new musicals by Craig Adams, and Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds, and rediscoveries from Julian Slade and two shows by Ivor Novello. All the musicals featured are available to buy on CD.
Celebrating British Music Theatre featuring music from British musicals and operettas produced at the Finborough Theatre.
Music Theatre Stateside featuring music from American musicals produced at the Finborough Theatre.
It Is Easy To Be Dead featuring music heard in the Olivier Award nominated new play.
I Wish To Die Singing featuring music heard in the award-winning new play.
We will be adding more playlists from Finborough Theatre productions in the future.
#FinboroughFrontier
During lockdown, their acclaimed #FinboroughForFree series released monthly free-to-view archive recordings and original online content including new plays, rediscoveries, a community festival, and the Finborough Forum, our invitation-only group for theatre creatives. Their online work saw them awarded London Pub Theatres’ Award for Pub Theatre of the Year 2020, and their web series Late Night Staring At High Res Pixels won London Pub Theatres Standing Ovation Award for Best Online Theatre 2021. Now renamed #FinboroughFrontier the Finborough continues to keep the online content entirely free to view and is also usually available in a subtitled version.
Artistic Director, Neil McPherson says: "We strongly believe that online work is an exciting new complement to our work, and are anxious to explore this new medium, embracing anything that can be presented digitally including film, livestream, audio, and hybrid – above all to ensure that our work is truly available for everyone, especially those who cannot easily access our auditorium."
NOVEMBER 2023
THEATRE503 ANNOUNCES ITS NEW 503FIVE RESIDENT PLAYWRIGHTS for 2023 - 2025
Images of 503Five: Top row - Shona Bukola Babayemi, Melis Aker, Rachel-Mae Brady. Bottom row - Joe Kerridge, Asa Haynes
Asa Haynes, Joe Kerridge, Melis Aker, Rachel-Mae Brady and Shona Bukola Babayemi are announced as the 503Five, Theatre503’s pioneering programme for early career playwrights. Established in 2009, the 503Five is a scheme for UK-based writers who have developed their craft to a high standard but are not yet professionally produced.
Chosen from 400 applicants, the 503Five each receive a £2,000 seed commission to write their full-length professional debut, as well as creative support from Theatre503 over 18 months. The 503Five is made possible through the support of the Philip Carne MBE and Christine Carne, and The Orseis Trust.
Previous 503Five commissions include Yasmin Joseph’s award-winning J’Ouvert, which transferred to the West End, won the James Tait Black Prize 2020, and was screened by BBC Arts in 2021; Ross Willis’ Wolfie – winner of the 2020 Writers’ Guild Award for Best New Play; and the Olivier Award-winning Rotterdam by Jon Brittain. The 503Five has yielded two Evening Standard Award winners, an Olivier Award winner, and a BAFTA nominee. To date it has launched 30 playwrights who are now writing for a wide range of stage and screen productions.
Zak Zarashan’s 503Five commission The Boys are Kissing, produced in January 2023, was a finalist for Best Writer at The Stage Debut Awards, Most Promising New Playwright at the Offies, and Best New Writing at the London Pub Theatre Magazine Awards.
Steve Harper, Theatre503’s Literary Manager says: “We are excited to see our new 503Five build upon the impeccable level set by the alumni of the scheme. In terms of our new writers’ unique voices and diverse forms, they promise to enrich and challenge how we work as a theatre, and through their commissioned plays offer us global stories that dive deep into what it is to be human in the 21st century.”
INTRODUCING THE 503FIVE:
The 503Five alumni are: Dare Aiyegbayo, Mahad Ali, Jon Berry, Brad Birch, Jon Brittain, Ella Greenhill, Charlene James, Annie Jenkins, Yasmin Joseph, Chris Hogg, Tabby Lamb, Gemma Langford, Benedict Lombe, Zak Zarafshan, Richard Marsh, Sorcha McCaffrey, Brian Mullin, Rex Obano, Neasa O'Callaghan, Vinay Patel, Lou Ramsden, Nimer Rashed, Martha Reed, Kaamil Shah, Beth Steel, Joel Tan, Chloe Todd Fordham, Chris Urch, Ross Willis and Aisha Zia.
NEW PUB THEATRE OPENS in the WEST END
New West End LGBT fringe venue, the Stage Door Theatre, is opening at the Prince of Wales pub in Drury Lane, Covent Garden. It plans to offer dinner theatre ticket options alongside regular tickets. The new 100 seat pub theatre will be led by producer Richard Lambert who runs production company LAMBCO. The opening show is yet to be confirmed. Currently the first show announced is Sauna Boy running 29 May - 1 June.
Further information and box office can be found of Stage Door Theatre website.
KING’S HEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES OPENING DATE FOR NEW VENUE AND DETAILS OF INAUGURAL SEASON
The King’s Head Theatre charity has announced it will open the first new production at its purpose built 200-seat theatre on 8 January 2024, bidding farewell to it's old home at King's Head pub next door. The new theatre opens with the world premiere of Exhibitionists by Shaun McKenna and Andrew Van Sickle (previews from 5 January 2024).
Following an extensive programme of building works with support of £800,000 from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, the new theatre in Islington Square is located immediately behind the original pub theatre, and features an accessible, flexible auditorium, offices, and rehearsal space, as well as two bars, one of which will double as a 50-seat cabaret, drag and comedy space as well as for rehearsals and readings.
The first new show in the theatre, Exhibitionists (5 Jan - 10 Feb 2024) is a modern gay romantic comedy written by Shaun McKenna (The Lord of the Rings, Watermill & Drury Lane; Ladies in Lavender, Royal & Derngate and Tour, Radio 4’s Eleanor Rising and the forthcoming The Forsyte Saga, Park Theatre) and Andrew Van Sickle. This exploration of love, betrayal and hook-ups sees five men find themselves in an intersecting comic web of relationships after they meet at an art exhibition. Directing the piece will be Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End; Flowers For Mrs Harris, Riverside Studios; Tick, Tick… Boom, Park Theatre) with a cast to be announced.
The venue will soft-launch the new theatre with a 10th anniversary revival of the drag comedy fantasia Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho by Olivier Award winner Jon Brittain (Rotterdam, Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder) and Matt Tedford (who stars in the title role). This Christmas Special edition will run from 16 to 30 December 2023.
Executive Producer (and acting CEO) Sofi Berenger said “I’m so excited to be announcing this incredible array of artists who will be the first to perform in our brand-new space, along with many more to be announced for our first year. Across our two spaces, we’ll be able to present multiple productions per week so there will always be something to see from plays, musicals, opera, drag, cabaret, comedy, family shows, pantomime and more at the new King’s Head Theatre!”
The theatre will continue to focus on creating work with, by and for the LGBTQ+ community, with a renewed priority on community, educational and artist development programmes. KHT will also continue to run an entirely free fortnightly workshop series KHT Skillshares, with intensive producing and training programmes to be announced. The team will continue to explore training opportunities for mid-career artists, in the wake of the successful pilot Trainee Artistic Director programme from earlier this year.
Twitter @kingsheadthtr / Instagram & Facebook @kingsheadtheatre / Web kingsheadtheatre.com
THE ROYAL THEATRICAL FUND ANNOUNCES A ONE-OFF EMERGENCY CRISIS GRANT FOR ALL WHO WORK IN THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS
OPENING TODAY, 1 NOVEMBER
The Royal Theatrical Fund today announces the launch of a new one-off emergency crisis grant; the Emergency Crisis Grant Award will open for applications on 1 November 2023 via https://www.trtf.com/.
This new initiative is a one-off crisis grant and is for those that are unable to meet their essential needs, due to an unforeseen change in circumstances.
Samantha Bond, Chairwoman said today, “The RTF continues to make every effort to support people in the entertainment industry in the most desperate times and that is why we have launched an Emergency Crisis Grant, running for the next six months.
“Throughout the pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis we have been there with the Theatre Community Fund and Fleabag Support Fund to provide support to thousands of applicants.
“We do not want anyone in need to be afraid to turn on their heating, use the electricity or unable to feed themselves or their family.
“Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help but don’t be afraid to get in touch.”
The Cost-of-Living Crisis still goes on and the RTF will work closely with all theatrical charities to ensure they reach all those in need.
The aim of this one-off ECG is broad and is aimed to cover essential needs, which could include keeping food on the table, meeting the rising fuel costs, keeping a phone connected, buying school uniform, in fact any essential emergency needs will be considered.
To be eligible for this UK scheme you must have worked professionally for 7 years in the entertainment business, this includes professional training. Your main income should come from work engaged within the sector.
Full details and how to apply can be found here Royal Theatrical Fund (trtf.com)
OCTOBER 2023
2023 LONDON PUB THEATRE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The London Pub Theatres Awards 2023 were held at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate Sunday 22 October. Over 140 guests packed out the venue in a joyful evening celebrating outstanding achievements in the pub theatre environment. The awards cover pub theatres, companies and individuals in 19 categories. The full list of winners is shown below. Further images of the ceremony can be found on LPT Instagram
The Awards are run by London Pub Theatres Magazine led by editor Heather Jeffery and the Head Judge, Award-winning playwright David Weir.
PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2023 is awarded to BROCKLEY JACK THEATRE led by Artistic Director Kate Bannister
RUNNER UP for PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2023 is awarded to ETCETERA THEATRE led by Otto Jäger.
COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO NEW WRITING is awarded to Artistic Director Lisa Spirling and Literary Manager Steve Harper and team at THEATRE503.
COMMENDATION for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT is awarded to Zena Barrie and Michelle Flower, founders and directors of CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL since 2006.
ACTORS AWARD
Áine Ryan for KITTY IN THE LANE at Jack Studio Theatre
(Note: Áine Ryan is also winner of Standing Ovation NEW WRITING AWARD for PADDY GOES TO PETRA at Jack Studio Theatre – see below)
ACTORS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Edmund Dehn
Most recently for LEAR ALONE as Lear at Golden Goose Theatre (2023), Power Luncheon as Churchill at The Hope (2022) and Death of a Hunter as Ernest Hemingway at Finborough (2018). But his career spans back to 1979 in repertory theatre for a 9-month season playing Mr Manningham, Banquo and Judge Brack amongst other roles. He was also actor in the first performance at the Finborough Theatre when it was opened in 1980.
BEST PRODUCTON
THE RETURN OF BENJAMIN LAY by Naomi Wallace, Directed by Ron Daniels, Arsalan Sattari Productions at Finborough Theatre
BEST PRODUCTION (MUSICAL)
SUMMER IN THE CITY by Jennifer Selway, Directed by John Plews, Produced by Ovation at Upstairs at the Gatehouse
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES
A CHRISTMAS CAROL in-house production at Jack Studio Theatre
ADAPTATION
ANIMAL FARM adapted by Paul Stebbing, directed by Gaspard Legendre at The Golden Goose Theatre & on TOUR
COMEDY
YIPPEE KI YAY written and performed by Richard Marsh at King’s Head Theatre
SOLO SHOW (written by the performer)
Mark Farrelly for THE SILENCE OF SNOW on tour (including several pub theatres)
NEW WRITING
Aine Ryan for PADDY GOES TO PETRA at Jack Studio Theatre
DUOLOGUE/TWO HANDER
Douglas Clarke-Wood and Tallulah Bond in SCORCHED by Tallulah Bond at Etcetera Theatre
SUPPORTING ROLE
Catherine Warnock as actor-musician and for her original score in BLACK CAT by Edgar Allan Poe at King’s Head Theatre
ENSEMBLE ACTING
MAKESHIFTS / REALITIES / HONOUR THY FATHER at Finborough Theatre
Cast: Poppy Allen-Quarmby, Joe Eyre, Andrew Hawkins, Beth Lilly, Philippa Quinn, Akshay Sharan, Suzan Syvester
DIRECTOR
Keith Strachan for NEXT DOOR’S BABY and ABOUT BILL both at Theatre at the Tabard
BLACK BOX THEATRE
HOW WE BEGIN by Elisabeth Lewerenz, premiered at King’s Head Theatre
INNOVATIVE PLAY
Jan Noble for BODY 115 at The Hope Theatre
NEW PLAY RAISING AWARENESS
VITAMIN D by Saher Shah at Rosemary Branch (Look for the Woman festival)
2023 FINALISTS for LONDON PUB THEATRE AWARDS ANNOUNCED Sunday 17 September
2023 Finalists for London Pub Theatre Awards are announced below. Nominees can be viewed on our Awards page. All finalists will receive an invitation to the live Awards which will be held at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate, on Sunday 22 October 2023, where the winners will be announced.
BEST PRODUCTION
THE JOURNEY TO VENICE by Bjørg Vik, directed Wiebke Green / Produced by Anarchy Division at FINBOROUGH THEATRE
A CHRISTMAS CAROL directed by Kate Bannister / in-house show at JACK STUDIO THEATRE
NOT NOW by David Ireland, directed by Max Elton / 19th Street Productions at FINBOROUGH THEATRE
THE RETURN OF BENJAMIN LAY by Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker, directed by Ron Daniels / Produced by Arsalan Sattari at FINBOROUGH THEATRE
BEST PRODUCTION (Musical theatre)
NEXT DOOR’S BABY by Bernie Gaughan & Matthew Strachan directed by Keith Strachan / Take Note Theatre at THEATRE AT THE TABARD
ABOUT BILL by Matthew Strachan & Bernie Gaughan, starring Kim Ismay, directed by Keith Strachan at THEATRE AT THE TABARD
SUMMER IN THE CITY by Jennifer Selway / Produced by Ovation at UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE
REDISCOVERY/ADAPTATION
A CHRISTMAS CAROL adaptation by Ross McGregor, directed by Kate Bannister at JACK STUDIO THEATRE
George Orwell’s ANIMAL FARM adapted by Paul Stebbing, directed by Gaspard Legendre / produced by Adge-Tnt & Theatre du Heron at GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE
MAKESHIFTS / REALITIES / HONOUR THY FATHER triple bill, Directed by
Melissa Dunne / produced by Andrew Maunder for Aardvark Theatre at FINBOROUGH THEATRE
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES Design (sound/lighting/costume/set)
KITTY IN THE LANE JACK STUDIO THEATRE / Lighting Design by Alex Forey, Set Design by Constance Comparot, Sound Design by Florence Hand, Sounding and Lighting Operator: Scarlett Bryan
A CHRISTMAS CAROL at JACK STUDIO THEATRE / Set Design: Karl Swinyard, Sound Design and Composition: Julian Starr, Lighting Design: Carey Chomsoonthorn, Costume Design: Martin J Robinson, Video Design: Douglas Baker, Song composition: Joseph Hardy
THE RETURN OF BENJAMIN LAY by Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker at FINBOROUGH THEATRE / Set Designer Riccardo Hernandez & Isobel Nicolson, Costume Designer Isobel Nicolson, Lighting Design Anthony Doran, Sound Design John Leonard
ACTORS AWARD
Edmund Dehn for LEAR ALONE / And Tomorrow Theatre Company at GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE
Brendan Dunlea for PADDY GOES TO PETRA by Áine Ryan, at JACK STUDIO THEATRE
Tapiwa Mugweni as Amman in MY BROTHER’S KEEPER at THEATRE503
Áine Ryan for KITTY IN THE LANE at JACK STUDIO THEATRE
SUPPORTING ROLE
Catherine Warnock as actor-musician in BLACK CAT by Edgar Allan Poe, directed by Selwin Hulme-Teague at KING’S HEAD THEATRE
Shane Coveney in THE BOYS ARE KISSING at THEATRE503
Kishore Walker in THE BOYS ARE KISSING at THEATRE503
DUOLOGUE/TWO HANDER
Max Sterne and Martin Edwards in THIS BITTER EARTH directed by Peter Cieply / Produced by Storefront Theatre London and Sarah Lawrie at THE WHITE BEAR THEATRE
Tallulah Bond and Douglas Clarke-Wood for SCORCHED BY Tallulah Bond at ETCETERA THEATRE
Laura Mugford and Joseph Ryan-Hughes for ONE DAY WHEN WE WERE YOUNG/ Just a Regular House Theatre Company at BARONS COURT THEATRE
ENSEMBLE ACTING
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA directed by Evan L Barker / The Messy Kind Collective at BARONS COURT THEATRE Cast Hugo Papiernik, Paul Surel, Tor Leijten, Lavinia Grippa, Harry Rose, Izzi McCormack-John, Alun Rees, Gemskii, Bradley Luckett, Rosanna Vikberg
SCAVENGERS Writer/Director Bryan Oliver / Urban Wolves Theatre Company at ETCETERA THEATRE /Camden fringe / Cast Matteo Piombino, Grace Richardson, Neil Hobbs
MAKESHIFTS / REALITIES / HONOUR THY FATHER Directed by Melissa Dunne at FINBOROUGH THEATRE Cast: Poppy Allen-Quarmby, Joe Eyre, Andrew Hawkins, Beth Lilly, Philippa Quinn, Akshay Sharan, Suzan Sylvester
BLACK BOX
BROWN GIRL NOISE by Kaya Uppal, Directed by Neetu Singh at THE HOPE THEATRE / Camden Fringe
MEDIOCRE WHITE MALE by Will Close and Joe Von Malachowski (Produced by Metal Rabbit) at KING’S HEAD THEATRE
HOW WE BEGIN by Elisabeth Lewerenz (Produced by Surfacing Acts Theatre and Antonia Georgieva) at VAULT Festival February, premiered at King's Head Theatre (2019)
COMEDY
GAY WITCH SEX CULT script and performance by Andrew Doherty, direction by Martin Willis,/ Objectively Funny at KING’S HEAD THEATRE
AN ABSOLUTE FARCE OF A MURDER MYSTERY by Peter Rae at DRAYTON ARMS THEATRE
YIPPEE KI YAY written and performed by Richard Marsh (produced by James Seabright) at KING'S HEAD THEATRE
SOLO SHOW (written by the performer)
Aine Ryan for KITTY IN THE LANE at JACK STUDIO THEATRE
Mark Farrelly for THE SILENCE OF SNOW toured to Tabard Theatre / Jack Studio Theatre / Bridge House Theatre / King's Head
Yan Toby-Amisi for BLUD (produced by vant-gard) at ETCETERA THEATRE
Grace Quigley for BLUEWATER at KING’S HEAD THEATRE
DIRECTOR
Keith Strachan for NEXT DOOR’S BABY and ABOUT BILL at THEATRE AT THE TABARD
Wiebke Green for JOURNEY TO VENICE at FINBOROUGH THEATRE
Phil Bartlett for THE MOORS by Jen Silverman at THE HOPE THEATRE
Lisa Spirling for THE BOYS ARE KISSING at THEATRE503
David Brady for THE SHATTER BOX by James Lewis / Proforça Theatre at THE LION AND UNICORN THEATRE
NEW WRITING
Neil Weatherall for DO IPHONES DREAM Of ELECTRIC SHEEPLE?/ 5Go Theatre Company at LION AND UNICORN THEATRE
Tallulah Bond for SCORCHED at Etcetera Theatre
Aine Ryan for PADDY GOES TO PETRA at JACK STUDIO
Zak Zarafshan for THE BOYS ARE KISSING THEATRE503
INNOVATIVE PLAY
BODY 115 by Jan Noble at THE HOPE THEATRE
YIPPEE KI YAY written and performed by Richard Marsh (produced by James Seabright) at KING’S HEAD THEATRE
AND THEN THE RODEO BURNED DOWN written and performed by Chloe rice and Natasha Roland (Produced by theSpaceUK in association with Nicholas Abrams & Richard Williamson) at KING’S HEAD THEATRE
NEW PLAY RAISING AWARENESS
ONE LAST WALTZ by Luke Adamson at BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE
FAUN by Vinnie Heaven at THEATRE503
VITAMIN D by Saher Shah at ROSEMARY BRANCH Look for the Woman festival
The Bread & Roses Theatre Announces the Clapham Fringe Festival 2023
Now in its 8th critically acclaimed Year, welcoming theatre companies and artists from around the world. The Bread and Roses Theatre is gearing up for this year's Clapham Fringe Festival, which is set to be our biggest and most international, with companies from across the globe bringing their work, and an expansion from one to three venues to include Two Brewers and the Railway Tavern. Alongside some of the best and most crowd-pleasing theatre, stand-up, works in progress, experimental performance and emerging artists at Bread and Roses Theatre, the programme will also include drag, burlesque and cabaret at Two Brewers whilst Clapham’s Railway Tavern will showcase their in-house stand-up comedy team ‘Comedy Bandits’.
Highlights include: Theatre Group GUMBO 'S surreal satire Are You Lovin’ It? from Japan, as part of an international tour - Winner of "Media Pick" at Edmonton Fringe, "Best of Fest" at San Diego Fringe, "Best Ensemble" in New York City and more. International work is also on display with A Scar Is Born by Lorelei Zarifian, which originated in the US - a cycle of songs recounting life in Marseille, Paris, New York and Florida, intertwined with sketches about the absurdity of modern existence. Other highlights include: this is not a play about ophelia (a play about ophelia) a one woman show that explores the experience of teenage grief. It is multi-disciplinary piece and uses technology to ask the question; ‘What if Ophelia didn’t have to die?’ and Anthroplay Theatre brings us Four Short Plays - 15 minute plays, showcasing new writing with up and coming performers, curated & directed by Anthroplay.
SHOWS at Bread and Roses Theatre at a glance:
21 & 22 Sept
The Platform has been running regularly since October 2012 as the original project that triggered the eventual launch of The Bread and Roses Theatre and has established itself as an opportunity to discover, develop and explore new short plays and monologues for audiences as well as creatives.
★★★★ “One to watch and keep on watching" - Remotegoat on The Platform
"one of the strongest short work platforms in London" - Onomatopoeia on The Platform
Absurdocles: An Improvised Greek Tragedy 23 - 27 Sept
Discover the greatest Greek Tragedy never told, an improvised comedy show that explores the most profound human emotions and the fraught relationship between gods and mortals. With Gelos' humor, it's guaranteed to make you laugh your sandals off, and no Classics knowledge is necessary. The cast creates gripping tales with a nonsensical moral from three audience suggestions. It's entirely improvised, ensuring a unique experience every time, whether it's a CEO tormented by the god of toes or tragic love between two taxidermists. Join for an epic show that leaves you high on Mount Olympus.
The Extraordinary Time Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen 23 & 27 Sept
Amazing tales, elegantly told. The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen is a multi award winning, family friendly, improvised storytelling show. There will be pirates and princesses, unicorns and dragons, spacemen and swordfights, and all of it completely and irrefutably true.
Age 5+
Without, presented by Neil Reidman 23 September & 25 September, 7pm
A one man show starting in the Windrush periof to modern day about a man losing his father as a child growing up without his father and becoming a father. It also looks at all the challenges and obstacles he had to face throughout his journey from boyhood to man.
AAA Immigrant Comedy Show, presented by Joe Bains 24 September, 9pm
Stand-up from Joe Bains. A journey of a man trying to survive in the western world by using his unique cultural and ethnic identity.
RUNAWAY, presented by Beyond Borders 25 & 26 September at 9pm
Beyond Borders presents their debut play Runaway, a semi-biographical story wrapped in a generous coat of unapologetic humour, exploring themes of home, belonging and finding your identity as a foreigner in a big city. It's a play about endless searching for the place that feels right. That feels like home. It's about racing towards the future and running away from the past, until you cannot run anymore and all you are left with is the present. A train station. And a train to Brixton.
Suchandrika Chakrabarti: Doomscrolling (WIP) 30 September, 5pm
*Sold out at VAULT Festival 2023 * Writer for Have I Got News For You & Radio 4 * As seen on NextUp Comedy * As heard on BBC Sounds * Former journalist Suchandrika Chakrabarti (Funny Women 'One To Watch' 2020, British Comedy Guide Pro Performance Award finalist 2021) will heal your crippling phone addiction....
Sour Grapes, presented by Instinct Pictures 1st & 3rd October at 9pm, 10th & 11th October at 7pm
The play delves into the haunting realm of Postpartum Depression (PPD), a menacing yet often unacknowledged condition that has claimed the lives of countless mothers and torn apart families. It revolves around Dapo and Oreoluwa King, a youthful couple, their ambitions, dreams, and the challenges they face while grappling with the terrifying grip of postpartum depression. In a gripping narrative, their journey unfolds, shedding light on the hidden depths of this affliction. Through their trials, the play uncovers the raw reality of PPD, weaving a tale of both despair and hope, as they navigate the treacherous path to healing and restoration.
Steppendads: Serious Theatre Show 28 September, 9pm
Steppendads are a sketch comedy duo based in London/Essex with great hair. Our new show, titled 'Serious Theatre Show' is a comedy show where we try to make serious theatre, including vocal exercises for the audience, kitchen sink 'drama' about village life and office drudgery, and a scene in tribute to Arthur Miller. As serious as we try to make this show, the funnier it gets.
BAR, presented by Lemon Shed 29 & 30 September, 7pm
Smoke. Sweat. Neon Lights. The place where four women went from strangers to sisters is being priced out and sold on. The morning after the final celebration at the bar, relationships are fractured, perceptions are distorted and trust is broken. The four must use their final moments in the space they call home to navigate what’s real and what’s right.
A Scar is Born, presented by Lorelei Zarifian 30 September, 3pm
A Scar is Born is the humorous story of one misfit’s hopeful audition. She reviews for the casting director important moments of her life and her journey from France to America. In the face of rejection, she never gives up her passion for performing the music of words and language. A cycle of songs recounting life in Marseille, Paris, New York and Florida, intertwined with sketches about the absurdity of modern existence.
JezO's Car-Crash Magic Show 1 October, 3pm
JezO (Jez Bond), a member of the prestigious Magic Circle previews his family-friendly Car-Crash Magic Show ahead of a run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. The show will feature a mix of danger, humour, illusion, and more!
Thanyia Moore: August 1 October, 5pm
After 10 years of comedy, Thanyia was finally set to do her long awaited, anticipated debut hour at Edinburgh festival fringe. Everything was going to plan, until August came. A month that was forecasted to be bright and sunny, became dark and grey, and it took every bit of strength that Thanyia had, to make it through. From running around Edinburgh, to hospital visits, all whilst being triggered by strangers who review you - Thanyia's month was not the 'norm'. A show about mental strength, the female body and how awesome the NHS is in Scotland!
this is not a play about ophelia (a play about ophelia), presented by Lyse Theatre 1 & 2 October, 7pm
‘this is not a play about ophelia (a play about ophelia)’ is a one woman show that explores the experience of teenage grief. It is multi-disciplinary piece and uses technology to ask the question; ‘What if Ophelia didn’t have to die?’ and aims to develop discussion around bereavement care in the UK.
How Can(t) I Help?, presented by Holly Gow 3 October at 7pm & 6 October at 5pm
“GP receptionists aka the gatekeepers from hell. Except I'm not. Well not always.” A one woman show recounting the best and mostly worst times working in a doctors surgery. The shoulder to cry on, the hand to slap samples into and the face to scream at. Come and watch the madness unfold.
Red Tent, presented by LazyLeaf Theatre 4 & 5 October, 7pm
Work drives everyone mad; from drinking too much coffee and popping out for a cigarette to stress-crocheting and calling on the occasional Ouija board, Ellie, Ash and Rachel do what they can to survive. Alone. Obviously. That is until they find themselves locked in a storage cupboard together. Whoops!
Avocado Presents, presented by Avocado Improv 4 October, 9pm Best friends Hamza and Jake discover characters and scenes on the spot, without the faintest idea what might happen next. Watch Avocado pull an ORIGINAL ONE-ACT PLAY out of thin air - think Tarantino meets Spinal Tap. To top it off, legendary music fills each show, leaving you dancing in your seat and rolling in the aisles.
Scott McPherson: Life 7 October, 1pm
From the age of eight, when the opportunity of becoming the Milky Bar Kid was cruelly snatched away and the ensuing porridge addiction that followed. Scott's life has been a rollercoaster of very often surreal life experiences. Life is Scott's latest solo instalment, bursting with funny observations on a wide spectrum of everyday life.
Bubblegum & Pop, presented by Hulahoop Theatre 7 October, 3pm It's the 1980's and two fourteen year old girls with a love for Wham! and George Michael meet through the penpal section of a popular teen magazine. Set in their bedrooms they write and chat about love and life as a teenager in the 80's and develop a relationship based on friendship and rivalry. Nostalgic show with an 80's soundtrack and fashions, where phone calls and letters were the only forms of communication and the Rubik's Cube was all the rage. Which of the two friends will ultimately marry George?
Four Short Plays, presented by Anthroplay Theatre 7 & 8 October, 5pm
Four Short Plays does exactly what it says on the tin. Anthroplay selects four, fifteen minute plays from current voices that showcase amazing new writing and brilliant up and coming performers. This is our second event series, born out of our flagship scratch night Anthrotalks - which has been held monthly for the last two years.
They Cut You Open, presented by Sensible Footwear 8 & 9 October, 7pm
Leyla’s life is turned upside down when she is diagnosed with end-stage renal failure right before the COVID-19 pandemic. As she stitches the pieces of her life together, she realises some scars aren’t just skin deep. Funny, gut-wrenching and reflective, this solo show explores Leyla’s journey through transplant, grief, explosive awakenings and waiting for the call.
Gary, presented by London Intersectional Arts Collective 8 October, 9pm
Things are going to change... Just not in the way Gary expects. He wants your vote to make his little piece of London great again. However, after a protest gets out of hand outside a library hosting a drag queen story time, Gary wakes up some time later in hospital. With no memory of who he was, how does he tell the world who he really wants to be? And how will the world around him react? How will HE react when he finds out who he was - someone who would hate everything about the him of the present. And how does he deal with the fact that he is now perhaps she...and a lesbian also! Gary has a lot of thinking to do and a very short time to do it.
Mid-Life Clear-Out, presented by Queerlysh 9 October, 9pm
Queen Queerlysh, a queer storyteller, explores how honesty makes you lighter! When she clears her storage, clarity ensues, uncovering middle-aged frank realities and falsehoods, while recovering her creepy baby mask, vagina puppet, Wonder Woman outfit, and photos of her ex. Each object holds a story. Will they live into new beginnings? You, the audience, decide.
Have A Nice Day!, presented by Hayley Scott 12 & 13 October, 7pm Tom is on a mission to get his life back on track. Alex, having recently survived a suicide attempt, desperately wants to feel normal. A situationship is the last thing either one needs... 'Have a Nice Day!' is a new comedy-drama about love, healing and two people trying not to f*** it all up.
The Dirty Blues Show, presented by Suzanne Noble & George Webster 12 October, 9pm Meet Suzanne Noble, a performer following in the footsteps of entertainers like Bette Midler and Sophie Tucker. Together with her pianist sidekick, ‘Gorgeous’ George Webster, they bring you the hottest and naughtiest dirty blues from the 1920s-40s. Expect a night filled with sexual innuendo, bawdy lyrics, and a whole lot of hot dog talk!
Are You Lovin’ It?, presented by Theatre Group GUMBO 14 & 15 October, 5pm ★★★★★ Winner of "Media Pick" at Edmonton Fringe, "Patron’s Pick" at Orlando Fringe, "Best Fest" at San Diego Fringe, "Best in Fest" at Tampa Fringe, "Best Ensemble" at FRIGID NY. A huge hit at fringe fests across the US and Canada. Japanese GUMBO invites you to a surreal romp with a dancing Japanese businessman, Krazy Kitty and delicious WacDonalds for all. You won't be able to stop laughing! This kooky, edgy, cartoon-like show may be the strangest show I've ever seen at the Fringe. - Edmonton Journal
Ciara, presented by Footdown Productions 14 October, 7pm
A story exploring queerness and religion. Watch Ciara O’Brian, a Northern Irish Catholic girl, given her mother's journal detailing how to be a good Catholic and life during the Troubles. Fighting with the past, Ciara is led to a self-discovery in the modern day. Her life changes when, Protestant girl, Olivia Devlin stumbles into her life.
The Clapham Comedy Club @ The Bread & Roses Line-up TBA - previous performers include Sara Pascoe, Abandoman, Dane Baptiste and Simon Brodkin. Check the Clapham Fringe website and socials for updates!
The Festival is curated and produced by the The Bread & Roses Theatre, led by Managing Director Rebecca Pryle, Artistic Director Velenzia Spearpoint and Associate Producer Alexander Knott.
FULL FESTIVAL LINE UP
What's On: 2023 (claphamfringe.com)
Creatives for shows at THEATRE503 are announced as nominees at THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2023
The Stage Debut Awards today reveals the much-anticipated nominees for its annual awards ceremony celebrating the best emerging theatre talent in the UK. This year’s 45 nominations across 8 categories celebrate an array of talented individuals from performers to composers and designers through to writers, lyricists and directors.
Two shows at THEATRE503 are among this year’s shortlist. CARLY BROWNBRIDGE (set & costume) is nominated BEST DESIGNER for AGATHA. ZAK ZARAFSHAN is nominated BEST WRITER for THE BOYS ARE KISSING.
The inaugural The Stage Debut Awards took place in 2017 and recipients of these awards have gone on to star in and create West End shows, television series and films.
THE FULL LIST OF 2023 NOMINEES ARE…
Best Performer in a Play (Sponsored by Cabbells):
● Bukky Bakray for Sleepova at Bush Theatre, London
● Rita Bernard-Shaw for Trouble in Butetown at Donmar Warehouse, London
● Natalie Blair for Spring and Port Wine at Octagon Theatre, Bolton
● Rhian Blundell for Let the Right One In at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
● Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
● Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring
● Daniel Rock for Richard the Second at Omnibus Theatre, London and touring
● Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London
Best Performer in a Musical (Sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line):
● Liv Andrusier for Ride at Charing Cross Theatre, London
● Josh Barnett for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
● Arcangelo Ciulla for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
● Carla Dixon-Hernandez for Mrs Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre, London
● Drew Hylton for Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale at Royal and Derngate, Northampton and touring
● Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
● Maisie Smith for Strictly Ballroom the Musical, Churchill Theatre, Bromley and touring
Best Director: (Sponsored by Arts Council England)
● Daniel Blake for Bones at Park Theatre, London
● Indiana Lown-Collins for The Solid Life of Sugar Water at Orange Tree Theatre, London
● Denzel Westley-Sanderson for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring
● Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London
Best Designer (Sponsored by Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL):
● Carly Brownbridge (set & costume) for Agatha at Theatre503, London
● Peter Butler (set & costume) for The Shape of Things at Park Theatre, London
● Andrea Scott (video) for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, London
Best Writer (Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions):
● Sasha Hails for Possession at Arcola Theatre, London
● Lenny Henry for August in England at Bush Theatre, London
● Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London
● Jennifer Lunn for Es & Flo at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
● Richard Mylan for Sorter at Swansea Grand Theatre
● Zak Zarafshan for The Boys Are Kissing at Theatre503, London
Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (Sponsored by Crossroads Live):
● Gerel Falconer for Alice in Wonderland at Brixton House, London
● Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre, London
● Jenny Moore for Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London
● Lilly Pollard for Sugar Coat at Southwark Playhouse, London
Best West End Debut Performer:
● Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace
● Emily Fairn for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace
● Mike Faist for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace
● Kyle Ramar Freeman for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre
● Gabriel Howell for The Unfriend at Criterion Theatre
● Paul Mescal for A Streetcar Named Desire at Phoenix Theatre
● Zachary Quinto for Best of Enemies at Noël Coward Theatre
● Samira Wiley for Blues for an Alabama Sky at National Theatre
Best Creative West End Debut: (Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment)
● Joe Bunker (Musical Director) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre
● SpitLip (David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre
● Tingying Dong for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre
● Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre
● Scott Le Crass for Rose at Ambassadors Theatre
● Rob Madge for My Son's a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre
Australian diving star Matthew Mitcham - the first openly gay athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal - will make his
UK acting debut in Strangers in Between
at Golden Goose Theatre
Image: Stephen Connery-Brown Matthew Mitcham Alex Ansdell Photo Nick Brittain
Directed by former Artistic Director of King's Head Theatre, Adam Spreadbury-Maher,
Strangers in Between is a captivating Australian classic from Tommy Murphy. An unflinching look at the highs and lows of growing up gay in modern Australia, promising audiences laugh-out-loud one liners, simmering sexual tension and heartfelt confessions.
Matthew Mitcham is a retired Australian diver and trampolinist, born in Brisbane. At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Matthew executed a two-and-one-half somersault with two-and-one-half twists in the pike position for his final dive, scoring four 10s, giving him not only the highest score on a single dive ever, but the gold medal - the first openly gay athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. He wrote his autobiography, ‘Twists and Turns’, in 2012, adapting it into a cabaret show, that toured Australia to great reviews (the Australian Stage said he was “a born performer who soon has the audience eating out of his hand. …an utterly charming character”). Matthew was in the TV series ‘The Pool’, and came second on the Australian version of ‘Dancing With the Stars’. He was also in the film ‘We All Lie My Darlings’.
Joining Matthew Mitcham in the cast are Stephen Connery-Brown and Alex Ansdell.
‘Strangers in Between’ was awarded the prestigious Best Play Award at the New South Wales Premiere’s Literary Awards. It made its debut at the renowned Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney, where it broke box office records. It received its critically acclaimed UK premiere at the King’s Head Theatre in 2016, also directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher.
Produced by LAMBCO Productions STRANGERS IN BETWEEN by Tommy Murphy is at Golden Goose Theatre, Camberwell, 19 September to 7 October.
Box Office: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/strangers-in-between
JULY
HELP SAVE CAMDEN'S ETCETERA THEATRE
The Cost of Living Crisis with bills and rent increase has put one pub theatre in danger of closure by the end of the year. Etcetera Theatre management have had to set up a donation page to raise £7,500 to help keep their doors open. It is one of the last few independent platforms that offers space to emerging artists, helping them on their journeys, with accessible rates and a theatre platform in an evermore gentrified London.
Etcetera is one of the stalwart of off west end festivals as well as having a regular programme of shows. Since its foundation in 1986, this award-winning theatre has become one of the milestone venues of the London fringe circuit. A visit here is considered essential viewing for audiences; it’s where the talent of the future stops en-route to making it big in the industry. Shows have transferred to some of the country's top venues, including the Royal Court, Arcola, Trafalgar Studios, the Bush, Hampstead Theatre, the BAC and Riverside Studios.
KING’S HEAD THEATRE CONFIRMS MOVE FROM PUB THEATRE TO NEW SPACE IN ISLINGTON SQUARE
The King’s Head Theatre charity has announced they will be closing their home of 53 years on 13 August 2023, and moving into a custom-built new theatre immediately behind the existing venue in Islington Square, with an opening date and programme to be announced. The final season in the pub theatre will be Guest Artistic Director David Cumming’s season, following Arts Council England funded Takeover seasons from Isabel Adomakoh Young, Tom Ratcliffe and Tania Azevedo. The new venue features a 200-seat auditorium and a 50-seat cabaret space, with contractors already on site.
The charity has simultaneously launched a dedicated production fund, the Angels of Angel, which will support the theatre in commissioning and producing new work, inviting donors not only to support innovative work to be produced at the King’s Head Theatre, but to join a community of like-minded theatregoers and supporters through ongoing networking events. Inaugural donors will be offered the opportunity to ‘sponsor a stair’ in the new theatre, each dedicated to a standout show from 53 years of the theatre’s history.
The final performance in the pub theatre will be a celebration gala with performers including Mark Gatiss, Ian Hallard, Dame Janet Suzman, Linda Marlowe and Le Gateau Chocolat, each reviving roles they played at the King’s Head Theatre’s original home.
Previous artistic directors Dan Crawford (founder), Stephanie Crawford, Adam Spreadbury-Maher and Mark Ravenhill were integral to the theatre’s reputation as a breeding ground of new talent and helped launch the careers of Maureen Lipman, Hugh Grant, Richard E Grant, Steven Berkoff, Tom Stoppard, Joanna Lumley, Bryony Lavery and Victoria Wood. Many of the pub theatre’s productions transferred to the West End including Mr Cinders, Wonderful Town, Artist Descending a Staircase, Vieux Carre and Coming Clean. In 2010, KHT won an Olivier Award for Best New Opera for La Boheme. The theatre also co-produced the immersive show Trainspotting Live which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
Acclaimed for its work developing theatre directors, through its Trainee Resident Director Scheme which was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for contribution to the Arts.
James Seabright, Chair of Trustees, said “Next month we will bid a bittersweet farewell to London’s original pub theatre at 115 Upper Street, as work continues at the new King’s Head Theatre next door at Islington Square. The amazing opportunity for the charity to move into a new home that will stand it in good stead for the next five decades has been made possible by a dream team of partners. They have worked closely with the charity over the challenging pandemic years to keep the vision on track, including key funder the Mayor of London through Round Three of his Good Growth Fund, our current landlords Young & Co’s Brewery, our future landlords Cain International, the brilliant burghers of Islington Council, and the visionary designs of architects S&Co and PUP.”
Sofi Berenger, Senior Producer, said “It’s incredibly exciting to be looking towards the future of the new theatre, and the future of being able to produce new work on our stage through our Angels of Angel network. Our aim is to create a theatre space that can truly respond and react to artists and audiences, heralding in a new era post-pandemic. We are also making sure to look back, reflect, honour and celebrate everything and everyone that has made King’s Head Theatre one of the leaders of London’s Fringe and independent theatre for 53 years.”
A spokesperson for Young’s Pubs said “We have loved our partnership over the years and wish the King's Head Theatre every success in their new premises. We look forward to continuing to welcome our local community to the King's Head Theatre pub.”
The King's Head Theatre team led by Senior Producer Sofi Berenger, with interim Capital Project director Louise Chantal, will guide the organisation through the transition and opening of the new theatre, with opening dates and programme to be announced. Although no new artistic director will be appointed in the short term following the success of the Takeover the trustees are exploring the extension of this model to programme future seasons.
More details on the new theatre, the closing of the pub theatre, and the Angels of Angel campaign are all on the website www.kingsheadtheatre.com
BOX OFFICE opens for the 17th CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL running 31 July - 27 August
Since 2006 the Camden Fringe has hosted new and experimental theatre and comedy performances by emerging artists across North London. This year there are nearly 300 shows on sale across 24 venues.
Ten pub theatres are taking part with Etcetera Theatre being a must for fringe goers, as this is where Camden fringe started back in 2004 and your festival line-up would not be complete without a visit to this venue. The Hen and Chickens Theatre has the largest number of shows to choose from with a whopping 42 shows. The theatre is run by three actors, so you are sure to experience the thespian vibe here. Also, with plenty of shows to choose from, don’t miss out, Canal Cafe Theatre in Little Venice, Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town, Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate, Rosemary Branch in Haggerston and The Hope Theatre in Islington.
Shows to see are as diverse as musical theatre to drama, improv to satire and clowning to stand up comedy covering a plethora of themes. THIS GIRL Musical: THE CYNTHIA LENNON STORY (Upstairs at the Gatehouse) charts the emotional journey of Cynthia’s life, before, during and after Beatlemania. RUNAWAY (Rosemary Branch) is a solo show from Beyond Borders exploring themes of home, belonging and finding an identity as a foreigner in a big city. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT THIS IS THE PLAY I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT (Hen and Chickens Theatre) is a visceral production taking a unique journey into the lives & minds of 4 performers to see what happens when they delve into their inner most kept secrets. DEAD SOULS (Etcetera Theatre) is a new translation of Gogol's classic novel about a social climbing conman, an hilarious and pointed satire of Imperial Russian aristocracy.
The list is endless, and promises to cover all tastes. We highly recommend browsing for shows on the Camden Fringe website or picking up a brochure in one of the participating theatres.
Camden Fringe Festival runs 31 July - 27 August 2023.
For the full line-up of shows see camdenfringe.com
Brochures are available at all participating theatres.
Multi-award winning BACON (which premiered at the Finborough) to TOUR London, Edinburgh & Bristol
BACON by Sophie Swithinbank which performed at Finborough Theatre in 2022 is to tour the UK this summer. The return of the multi-award-winning play, is an unflinching and unexpectedly humorous look at masculinity, sexuality and power, through the dizzying lens of youth.
Winner of the Tony Craze Award and three Off-West End Awards, it also garnered two London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Awards for best production (premiere) and duologue (actors Corey Montague-Sholay and William Robinson). The tour is presented by HFH Productions and will be at Riverside Studios in London July 18 - 29, as well as Edinburgh in August and Bristol in September.
Dates, further details and box office:
18-29 July at Riverside Studios
2-27 August at Summerhall, Edinburgh
12-16 September at Bristol Old Vic
JUNE
CLAPHAM FRINGE IN NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH TWO BREWERS
Clapham Fringe is expanding for 2023, as it announces a new partnership with the Two Brewers on Clapham High Street, a venue proudly serving the LGBTQIA+ community since 1981. Clapham Fringe is a performing Arts Festival in South London which has been running at Bread and Roses Theatre in Clapham since 2015. Produced by the team behind the Bread and Roses Theatre, it promises to be affordable with equality, diversity and artistic quality at the forefront of the programming.
This year the festival runs 21 SEP - 15 OCT 2023 and submissions for those who would like to take part are open until 9th July 2023. Take Part (claphamfringe.com)
The Bread and Roses venue welcomes and supports emerging theatre-makers taking their first steps. The programme includes new writing, contemporary revivals, reinvented classics and occasionally also devised work, improvisational theatre, comedy events, family shows and physical theatre.
The Two Brewers venue welcomes drag, burlesque, cabaret, LGBTQIA+ artists, so individuals and companies who would like to apply should specify their interest in performing at this South London institution!
Applications are submitted through eventotron here.
MAY
THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS - submissions open until 30 June
The Stage Debut Awards, dedicated to recognising breakthrough theatre talent, announces today that it will take place on October 1 2023, uniting the previous 12 month’s most exciting and up-coming performers and creatives in a special ceremony celebrating their outstanding professional debuts.
The much-anticipated annual event, the 7th since its inception in 2017, will be held for the second year running in association with headline sponsor Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), and hosted at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London.
The eight awards eligible for nomination champion performers, directors, designers, writers, composers and lyricists, and submissions are open until June 30. This is how it works:
WHO CAN YOU NOMINATE?
Yourself – why not? The Stage wants to hear about your fabulous talent! Or anyone else you have worked with or whose work you admire, as long as they are making their debut between August 1, 2022 and July 17, 2023.
The Stage particularly welcome entries from outside London and all scales of professional productions are eligible.
Definition of debut: first professional appearance in a named role in a production reviewed by The Stage (previous appearances in ensemble roles or as an understudy do not disqualify you from consideration).
I FOUND MY HORN transfers from White Bear theatre to Riverside Studios
Fifteen years after its first production, and following a recent sell-out run at the White Bear in Kennington, I Found My Horn - starring Jonathan Guy Lewis - transfers to the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith from 30 May – 11 June. Written by Jonathan Guy Lewis and Jasper Rees, adapted from Rees’s best-selling book, and directed by Harry Burton, I Found My Horn was first performed in 2008 at the Aldeburgh Fringe Festival.
This joyous, feel-good show places the transforming power of music centre-stage: A man wakes up in midlife to a broken marriage and the dawning fear that he has done nothing to make himself memorable. Packing away his life as he prepares for divorce, he is struck by an insane idea: why not pick up the French horn that defeated him in his youth? So it is that, after a lay-off of several decades, Jasper seeks adventure and redemption via sixteen feet of treacherous brass tubing.
I Found my Horn is playing at Riverside Studios 30 MAY – 11 JUNE
TICKETS ON SALE NOW HERE https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/i-found-my-horn-62447/
Read our interview with Michael Kingsbury, Artistic Director of White Bear Theatre on ‘how theatre works today’ with reference to I Found My Horn
APRIL 2023
OBITUARY: FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BARONS COURT THEATRE, RON PHILLIPS
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Founding Artistic Director Ron Phillips earlier this month. Ron ran the theatre with Christian Deal until the pandemic. Prior to founding Barons Court Theatre, Ron was club secretary of Queens Park Rangers 1966 – 1989, pictured here on the far left when QPR won the third division Championship.
With great kindness and leadership he gave countless opportunities to emerging and early career artists during his tenure. Amy Winehouse, Eddie Redmayne, Sarah Kestelman, Sheila Atim and Amy Molloy are but a few of the artists who presented their work at the Barons Court Theatre as emerging artists.
Without his steadfast commitment, Barons Court Theatre may not have existed today.
FINBOROUGH THEATRE OFFERS ARTISTIC SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE
As part of its ongoing response to the war in Ukraine, the Finborough Theatre has made all the tickets for the revival of Pussycat in Memory of Darkness, playing 28 March-22 April 2023, just £8 for everyone for every performance between 29 March to 9 April 2023. The original production of Pussycat in Memory of Darkness at the Finborough Theatre in August 2022 received huge press acclaim, and was shortlisted as Best New Play 2023 at the OffWestEnd Awards. In December 2022, it became the first theatre performance in Ukraine by a foreign theatre since the Russian invasion. It has since been seen in the USA, with further dates in Germany planned for Spring 2023. Through its #VoicesFromUkraine series, the Finborough Theatre stands in artistic solidarity with the people of Ukraine. "We are committed to raising public awareness of the invasion for as long as the war continues".
Box Office https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/pussycat-in-memory-of-darkness/
BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE to tour PANTO IN THE PUB this EASTER
The Bridge House Theatre team have joined up with Fuller’s to tour PANTO IN THE PUB this Easter. The Company plan to delight audiences with their performance of MOTHER GOOSE – an Easter-themed pantomime for all the family. This colourful extravaganza will be hosted by 12 Fuller’s pubs, from London to Liphook, between Monday 3 April and Saturday 15 April.
The show is set to be full of humour for all ages, and centres around Mother Goose and her silly son Billy who are down on their luck. A kindly fairy, seeing how much Mother Goose does for her local community, decides to help her and sends them the answer to all of their problems in the form of Priscilla – a goose that lays golden eggs. Expect brightly coloured costumes, song and dance numbers, and more than a few jokes just for the grown-ups.
Luke Adamson, Artistic Director of The Bridge House Theatre Company, says: “I’m delighted to be working with Fuller’s and my great love, pantomime. Our shows are always unique – the scripts are bespoke and written new for every show. Our double bill of pantomimes at Christmas in 2021 were a smash hit and were nominated for four Off West End Awards! We get the finest performers, musical directors and choreographers to make sure that our productions give a million-dollar experience but without the price tag.”
Further details and tickets here: https://www.fullers.co.uk/event-finder/mother-goose
MARCH 2023
NEW FESTIVAL CELEBRATING WOMEN OPENS ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE MARCH 2023
A brand new festival of women, LOOK FOR THE WOMAN, opens this March at the Islington pub theatre, fondly known as the Rosie. It is held in honour of International Women's Day (8 March) and brings together some of the best woman-led clowning and comedy, plus the London Premiere of an original piece of theatre to celebrate, interrogate and explore all things femme and female.
The producers explain the ethos behind the festival here:
"'Cherchez la femme' is a somewhat cheeky French phrase. It embodies a cliché of detective pulp fiction: no matter what the problem, a woman is often the root cause. However, to many of us this could be stated conversely: no matter the woman, there is often a problem she is having to solve. And usually, with a good dollop of humour. This International Women's Day we are reclaiming this phrase and taking the month of March to turn detective and 'look for the woman’ in our own way. "
Subjects covered will include the environment, tackling global warming. Women in politics. In marriage and divorce. In sexual awakening, in cabaret, in family, in work, in puppetry, in song, and in life. Finally, maybe they'll even have a femme fatale... When you look for the woman, who knows what else you'll find.
Read article by Zuma Puma on the festival
here
SEE THE LINE UP FOR THE FESTIVAL HERE
WINNER ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 THEATRE503 INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING AWARD
Theatre503 announces ROXY COOK’S A WOMAN WALKS INTO A BANK as the winning play of the 2023 THEATRE503 INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING AWARD.
Emerging playwright Roxy Cook was announced today (1 March) as the winner of the 2023 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award with her first play A Woman Walks Into a Bank. Roxy accepted the Award from Erica Whyman, Chair of the Award Judging Panel at an event taking place in the shell of the 503Studio at Nine Elms, which will become a world-class centre for debut playwrights.
With her play selected from 1,466 submissions from 49 countries, Roxy receives The Carne Prize of £6,000 which includes the staging of a world premiere production at Theatre503 after a year’s support and development, and publication of her play by Samuel French Ltd, a Concord Theatricals Company.
Set in Moscow in the afterglow of the 2018 World Cup, A Woman Walks Into A Bank follows an old woman who is living with dementia as she walks into a bank looking for help, only to be conned into taking out one of Moscow’s notoriously dodgy loans… with only her cat to bear witness. Inspired by the experiences of Roxy’s relatives and told in the style of the fairytales she was told as a child, A Woman Walks Into a Bank is a darkly comic play about the social apathy tearing Russia apart from the inside out.
The finalists for the 2023 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award were plays from Olga Braga, Georgia Bruce, Roxy Cook, Charlotte Cromie, and Nia Akilah Robinson.
On behalf of the Judging Panel, Lisa Spirling (Artistic Director) said: ‘This was an outstanding collection of plays that the judges felt took incredible courage to write, demonstrated remarkable skill, placed centre-stage people and places we haven’t seen before, and start conversations we are afraid to have. A Woman Walks Into Bank exemplifies this. It exudes a level of confidence and boldness rare in a debut play, with a theatricality that suits the chaos of the world it depicts. We can’t wait for its production on Theatre503’s stage and to watch whatever Roxy Cook does next.’
Former winners of the award are Paul Murphy (Valhalla) and Bea Roberts (And Then Come The Nightjars) – joint winners in 2014, Andrew Thompson (In Event of Moone Disaster, 2016), Danusia Samal (Out of Sorts, 2018) and Pravin Wilkins (Moreno, 2020).
WINNING PLAYS of Scenesaver's JUST WRITE competition to be performed at WHITE BEAR THEATRE 14 - 16 March
The seven winners (named below) were chosen from a considerably large number of entries from all over the world. They have received a cash prize of 100 each and their plays are being performed by professional actors at The White Bear Theatre in Kennington as double/triple bills over three nights. These are as follows:
Yesterday/Today by Kevin Douglas (45 mins)
YESTERDAY/TODAY is a queer, sci-fu, multiverse romcom that takes a Beatles-loving failed writer and catapults him “Across the Universe” … whether he likes it or not.
Reaching Alice by Kyra Williams (60 mins)
Alice blames her best friend Hannah for the death of her daughter five years ago; a play about female friendship, guilt and whether forgiveness of ourselves and others can ever be possible
The Palace Garden by Robert Frew (32 mins)
If you were handed the power to remove a brutal dictator, would you do so, if his overthrow could result in bloody anarchy and the total disintegration of your society?
What would Dave Do? by Matthew Fisher (45 mins)
Dave is waiting in a Hospital Waiting Room, about to become a father. Not alone in his anticipation of fatherhood, someone else is in the waiting room with him… God.
Sister Bea's Full Branzino by Steven Fromm (30 mins)
A professor and former student meet for what is supposed to be a simple reunion dinner, but it turns out to be anything but simple.
The Golden Age by James Morgan (60 mins)
The story of a disgraced Hollywood A-lister’s return to the spotlight in the aftermath of a young girl’s untimely death.
Naptime by Robin Cantwell (40 mins)
When Damla returns home to find a complete stranger in her bed, alarm bells start ringing — but when her peculiar house guest explains his presence, Damla’s feelings change towards him…
The box office and further details are on the White Bear Website here
FEBRUARY 2023
PUB THEATRE WINNERS ANNOUNCED at OFFIES 2023 AWARDS held at ALEXANDRA PALACE THEATRE
The 13th annual Off West End Awards were held at Alexandra Palace Theatre, Sunday 12 February, with several pub theatres and shows performed in pub theatres being recognised. The afternoon began with a champagne reception. Actors and creatives flooded in, with many guests following the dress code of wearing something ‘special and sparkly’. As the beautiful auditorium of the theatre filled up for the ceremony, the excitement was palpable.
With a comprehensive catalogue of Awards covering every aspect of off west end theatre, the ceremony ranged over three hours. Pub theatres won both major awards, people’s vote awards and a fringe festival award. In addition, Directors John and Katie Plews were honoured for their work at Upstairs at the Gatehouse (more details below).
Presenters included Dame Maureen Lipman, (who also won the Solo Performance Award for her role as Rose at Park Theatre), and Off Westend patrons & actors Louise Jameson and Linda Marlowe. Louise Jameson hit a note with the audience in her presentation praising this sector of the theatre industry comparing it to “the heartbeat”.
The first Major Award for pub theatres was for Sound Design, given to Calum Perrin for Ten Days in a Madhouse by So It Goes Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre. Another win for the same show, went to Douglas Baker for his Video Design.
Olivia Thompson won New Musical for La Maupin by Fantastic Garlands at Lion and Unicorn Theatre.
Former Artistic Director of The Hope Theatre, Matthew Parker, won Director (Musicals) for Thrill Me at Jermyn St Theatre (and gave Dame Maureen a curtsy as he received his trophy).
Matthew Iliffe won Director (Plays) for Bacon by Sophie Swithinbank at Finborough Theatre. Also for the same play, Corry Montague-Sholay and William Robinson won Lead Performance (in a play).
Several pub theatres won Offies people’s vote. Drayton Arms Theatre for ‘Foodie Experience’ (20% off food and drinks when you pre-order with your ticket), Baron’s Court Theatre for ‘Most welcoming’, and Jack Studio Theatre for ‘Social media presence and activities’ (follow twitter and Instagram). When Jack Studio director, Karl Swinyard accepted the award, he had his camera at the ready to take an image of the audience.
In the fringe festival awards, Threedumb Theatre won an OffFest for Dog/Actor at Etcetera Theatre.
The final words of the evening were given to John Plews, Artistic Director of Upstairs of the Gatehouse in Highgate, as he and Katie Plews were honoured for their distinguished career in theatre. John and Katie (along with their production company ‘Ovation’) are particularly known for their excellence in Musical Theatre and they have helped launch the careers of many theatre professionals. Although they are retiring from this popular theatre in North London, John happily announced that the theatre will stay open under new management.
John spoke about their 35 years at the Gatehouse after finding a ‘derelict room’ upstairs at the pub which was a Wetherspoons at that time. With over 6,000 performances at the venue, John and Katie had many people to thank, but (with time pressures) John kept it brief, thanking those ‘who could not be with us today’. He remembered a talented and beloved friend Victoria Wood who lived next door and who supported the venue financially. He also recalled his affection and admiration for Mr Bob Carlton who inspired his love of Juke Box musicals.
WINNER OF LPT STANDING OVATION AWARD (solo show) RETURNS TO OLD RED LION FOR 3 MONTH RESIDENCY
TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY returns for a second run at the historic Old Red Lion Theatre. Back by popular demand, it runs for an unprecedented three month residency, 14 February - 6 May 2023
Set against the backdrop of a Woodstock-vibe music festival in the height of the Summer of Love and backstage in her dressing room, TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST marks a key moment in Janis Joplin’s all too brief existence: Singer and actor Collette Cooper won plaudits for her embodiment of the psychedelic rock idol, with dark humour and glimmers of hope that candidly reveal Joplin’s troubled genius. Janis was a pioneer on many fronts: for women in music and race relations, and the themes of the play resonate profoundly in today’s world.
Winner of LONDON PUB THEATRES STANDING OVATION SOLO SHOW AWARD and Nominated for five OFF WEST END AWARDS, including Best Musical Production and Best Leading Actor, the show features all of Joplin’s greatest hits (alongside original material), with an emotional performance from Cooper backed by top session musicians.
Tickets are available on the Old Red Lion Theatre Website
KING’S HEAD THEATRE TO WELCOME FOUR GUEST ARTISTIC DIRECTORS TO CURATE THEIR OWN SEASONS
From March – August 2023, the Kings Head Theatre will welcome four guest Artistic Directors, drawn from different theatre backgrounds, to take over and curate their own seasons at the iconic Islington pub venue. Each will have full creative control over curating the programme, supported by the staff at the King’s Head Theatre, with planned seasons ranging from arts and activism, new musical theatre to the best in drag and cabaret.
The guest Artistic Directors are Isabel Adomakoh Young, Tom Ratcliffe, Tania Azevedo and David Cumming. All are mid-career LGBTQ+ identifying artists from various disciplines. As well as offering these four artists an opportunity to curate their seasons, they will also be matched with an industry mentor and receive training on practical aspects of programming, different approaches to artistic direction and curation and developing artists. Part of the aim of the takeovers is to give mid-career artists interested in exploring the next steps in their careers towards artistic curation and direction a training opportunity where there are very few options for aspiring cultural curators.
All of the seasons are open for public proposals, and artists are encouraged to get in touch about their shows by visiting the website here for more information. The guest artistic directors are programming across a broad spectrum of styles and shows which work for 1 day to 3+ week runs.
The programme has been supported by Arts Council England.
UPSTAIRS AT THE GATHOUSE DIRECTORS, JOHN AND KATIE PLEWS TO LEAVE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY, NEW DIRECTORS APPOINTED
Image: John and Katie Plews receiving Standing Ovation Award for Best Production, Musical Theatre (Five Guys Named Moe) 2022
Artistic Director John Plews and Producer Katie Plews (Ovation) have announced that they will be leaving the Gatehouse at the end of February. Their current theatre manager, Annlouise and her partner Isaac, will be taking over the lease of the theatre on 1 March. The last show produced by Ovation is SUMMER IN THE CITY marks their 24th Christmas musical at the venue.
Ovation first acquired the lease for the theatre in 1997, and the Plews set about establishing ‘Upstairs’ as one of the leading fringe theatres in London. Their mantra was to create a programme of shows which entertain specialising in revivals and London fringe premieres, but it seems likely that they are best known for their musical theatre productions. These include several shows which have won Awards: Best musical production (London Pub Theatre Awards 2022) and Director Mykal Rand (Off West End Awards 2022) for FIVE NAMED MOE; Best choreographer Chris Whittaker (Off West End Awards 2018) for TOP HAT and Best off west end Production (Mousetrap Awards 2014) for AVENUE Q.
Amongst many other Awards, the pair were recently recipients of the prestigious LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (London Pub Theatre Awards 2020). As well as personal success in their long careers in theatre, Upstairs at the Gatehouse was a founding members of SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENT THEATRES, the industry body for venues under 300 seats www.sitgb.org
In the programme for SUMMER IN THE CITY John remarks: “Without Katie, ‘Upstairs’ would never have happened. Together with our daughters Racky and Jessica it has been a truly theatrical family adventure – luckily I’ve had a front row seat for the past twenty-five years – thank you everyone who has ever got involved … it’s been a blast!”
Read our interview with John Plews on MUSICAL THEATRE here
FINBOROUGH THEATRE BECOMES FIRST FOREIGN THEATRE TO PERFORM IN UKRAINE SINCE THE INVASION
The Finborough Theatre has become the first foreign theatre to perform in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in a unique collaboration between the Finborough Theatre and the Pro-English Theatre, Kyiv.
The Finborough Theatre production of Pussycat In Memory Of Darkness by Ukraine’s leading dramatist, Neda Nezhdana, was performed by Kristin Milward and directed by Polly Creed at the Pro-English Theatre, Kyiv, on 8 December and at the National Les Kurbas Centre, Kyiv, on 10 December 2022, to huge acclaim.
Neda Nezhdana play HE WHO OPENS THE DOOR is currently available to view for free on the Finborough Theatre’s YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/finboroughtheatre
The fourth annual London Pub Theatres Award were held at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate Sunday 30 October 2022. Designed to celebrate outstanding achievements in the pub theatre environment, they cover pub theatres, companies and individuals in 17 categories. The Awards are run by London Pub Theatres Magazine and is led by Editor Heather Jeffery and Award-winning playwright David Weir.
The major winners included:
PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2022 -
is awarded to NEIL MCPHERSON and team at the FINBOROUGH THEATRE for their outstanding programming of shows and free to view, online shows.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PUB THEATRES –
Is awarded to MICHAEL KINGSBURY who is the Artistic Director and Founder of both WHITE BEAR THEATRE in Kennington and GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE in Camberwell. The recently founded Golden Goose Theatre has been redeveloped to upgrade it, with a brand new auditorium which is fully accessible.
Member of the Awards team, Chris Lilly said: "Michael Kingsbury, winner of the award for 'Outstanding Contribution to Pub Theatre' is a living embodiment of the concept 'man of theatre'. Actor, director, producer, teacher - in a word, essential..."
RUNNER-UP - PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2022 is awarded to
Helen, Damien and Róisín Devine at OLD RED LION THEATRE. This much loved venue is a family run business and it’s one of the oldest pub theatres, established in 1979. The award was accepted by Executive Director (and pub landlord) Damien Devine and his niece, Managing Director Helen Devine.
Member of the Award team, Chris Lilly said: "The Old Red Lion Theatre, next to the Angel, Islington, has been putting on superb theatre since 1979. Many of today's most celebrated actors started in the room above a pub full of Arsenal supporters enjoying big screen football, and it continues to offer a home to new, challenging, theatre. One of London's most exciting theatres in a tiny, tiny space."
In addition to be being recognised for their excellent, one of the shows at Old Red Lion Theatre, won SOLO SHOW written by the performer. This was awarded to Collette Cooper for TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST. A musical biopic of the Janis Joplin story.
COMMMENDATION FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT -
is awarded to producer EMMA TAYLOR and Founder PROFESSOR MICHAEL HODD for NEWSREVUE at CANAL CAFÉ THEATRE
NewsReview was founded in 1979 by Prof Michael Hodd who also founded Canal Cafe Theatre in 1984. Emeritus Professor of Economics at LSE, Professor Hodd sadly passed away recently. This award is being made in his honour and to Emma Taylor who has been Producer of NewsRevue since 2001. This popular current affairs parody song and sketch show runs 4 days a week at Canal Cafe theatre and makes appearances at Edinburgh Festival and in the West End. It gives numerous opportunities to casts and directors which are changed every six weeks, and to writers with new sketches every week based on what's in the news.
Heather Jeffery said: “It’s a show for anyone who ever wanted to laugh out loud at what’s in the news, and to enjoy our right to freedom of speech.”
HOSTS OF THE EVENT, John and Katie Plews (Ovation Productions) won BEST PRODUCTION for their musical theatre show FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate.
Heather Jeffery said: “The directors of the theatre, John and Katie Plews, kindly hosted the event in their 142 seat venue which was completely packet out. The atmosphere was electric and as winners took to the stage, we couldn’t hear the pianist for the thunderous applause. Katie and John were one of the successful winners for their musical theatre production of FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE and we look forward to their December show, new musical SUMMER IN THE CITY set in the 60s, as their Festive Shows are one of the highlights of the year.”
The full list of winners is below:
AWARDS TO PUB THEATRES (4 Awards)
PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2022 is awarded to Neil McPherson and team at the FINBOROUGH THEATRE.
RUNNER-UP - PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2022 is awarded to
Helen, Damien and Róisín Devine at OLD RED LION THEATRE.
COMMMENDATION FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT is
awarded to Producer Emma Taylor (since 2001) and Founder Professor Michael Hodd for NEWSREVUE at CANAL CAFÉ THEATRE which has been running since 1979.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PUB THEATRES is awarded
to MICHAEL KINGSBURY who is Artistic Director and Founder of both WHITE BEAR THEATRE and GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE.
STANDING OVATION AWARD WINNERS (13 categories)
BEST PRODUCTION
YES SO I SAID YES by David Ireland / 19th Street Productions at Finborough Theatre
BEST PRODUCTION – premiere - Joint-winners
BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/Salt Lick Productions at Finborough Theatre
TIL DEATH DO US PART by Safaa Benson-Effiom at Theatre503
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES
HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES and PAYNE: THE STARS ARE FIRE by Ross McGregor / Arrows & Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre
SOLO SHOW – written by performer
Collette Cooper for TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY at Old Red Lion Theatre
ACTORS AWARD
Siobhan Redmond for THE STRAW CHAIR by Sue Glover at Finborough Theatre
ENSEMBLE ACTING
Ossian Perret, Joseph Potter, Charlie MacCechan, Denise Laniyan for THE DWARFS by Harold Pinter, Flying Colours Productions at White Bear Theatre
DUOLOGUES - acting
Corey Montague-Sholay and William Robinson for BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/Salt Lick Productions at Finborough Theatre
ACTORS AWARD - supporting role
Laurel Marks playing Cecilia Payne in HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES by Ross McGregor / Arrows and Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre
INNOVATIVE NEW PLAY
Nellie Bly’s TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE adapted by Douglas Baker, at Jack Studio Theatre
COMEDY
GAME NIGHT by Ear to Ear Productions at The Hen and Chickens Theatre
NEW PLAY RAISING AWARENESS
CELL OUTS by Glasshouse Theatre at King’s Head Theatre
BLACK BOX THEATRE
TELL ME STRAIGHT by Paul Bradshaw at Chiswick Playhouse (now renamed Theatre at the Tabard)
The ETPEP Award 2022 has been won by first time playwright by Saana Sze for their play Belly of the Beast.
Black, non-binary and queer, the characters in the play, YoungMartha and NowMartha are set against rigid systems which insist they conform. Belly of the Beast examines school politics, from the standpoint of both student and a teacher, as it asks “What are schools for?”
31 year old Saana Sze is a queer British-Ugandan writer/educator, living in East London. They worked in Front of House theatre for over three years. Their first theatre commission, Claudia Jones, was created for a young audience with Blue Elephant Theatre, as part of BET’s Celebrating Black Voices series. Belly of the Beast is Saana's first full length play.
Saana will receive a prize of £8,000, a development relationship with the Finborough Theatre including one-to-one dramaturgy with Finborough Theatre Artistic Director and playwright Neil McPherson; a rehearsal workshop with actors and a director to develop the play; and a staged reading performance of the winning play either at the Finborough Theatre; and publication by Salamander Street, independent publisher of theatre, performance and live art. There will be ten runner-up prizes of £400 each, including for the two shortlist candidates – Eva Lily and Jacko Pook.
Neil McPherson, Artistic Director of the Finborough Theatre, said:
“We are all hugely excited by the discovery of a new first time playwright with startling potential. I hugely look forward to working closely with them over the next few months on the forthcoming staged reading of their play. We will announce a date for the performance shortly. Watch this space!”
Winner Saana Sze said:
“It was a dream to be shortlisted and it is absolutely surreal to win. It’s infinitely satisfying, as I enjoyed my time in Front of House Theatre, to have those years linked to my playwriting career. I can’t wait for the play to be developed with the Finborough Theatre and for it to be in front of an audience.”
The ETPEP Award is a playwriting prize for new UK playwrights who work or have worked in the theatre industry, run by the Finborough Theatre in association with the Experienced Theatre Practitioners Early Playwriting Trust (ETPEP).
SCENESAVER LAUNCHES AN INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION, WINNING ENTRIES TO BE PERFORMED AT WHITE BEAR THEATRE
Scenesaver has launched Just Write! An international playwriting competition. Up to six winners will be chosen in March 2023 when their play will be performed by professional actors at The White Bear Theatre in London and they will win a cash prize of £100 .
Scenesaver founder Caroline Friedman said: “the is a huge opportunity that could be a life-changing moment for a new playwright. We know how hard it is for newcomers to break into the theatre world and we are giving six lucky winners their big break, the chance to win a cash prize and to have their work performed in a London theatre. We want people to create a 'must see' play. Something innovative, a performance that will engage an audience and be something theatregoers will recommend others to see."
Scenesaver are looking for exciting new talent, and want writers to let their creativity and inspiration shine through.
The play can be on any subject and in any style. There is no entry fee to submit your work and anyone aged 17 or over can enter. The play must, however, be written in English. Entries are being accepted either in written form or as a recorded version.
To find out how to enter the competition follow this link to find details about the competition and the entry form.
https://www.scenesaver.co.uk/blog/just-write-international-new-playwriting-competition/
The competition closes at midnight on December 1st 2022.
GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE REOPENS ITS DOORS WITH REIGNITE FESTIVAL IN OCTOBER FOLLOWING REFURBISHMENTS
Exactly 2 years after Golden Goose Theatre first opened their doors, they are throwing them open once more with Relgnite on 11 October 2022, showcasing their brand new theatre. After six weeks of renovations, the theatre will have a new thrust layout, a larger capacity with tiered seating on three sides and a new lighting rig to show off.
Relnite will feature work from brand new companies alongside Olivier Award winning writers and Pulitzer Prize winning plays, all culminating in a Festive Festival and homegrown flagship productions in January and February.
The current programme on sale now can be viewed here with more shows being added in the coming weeks.
STANDING OVATION FINALISTS 2022 ARE ANNOUNCED
The finalists for the Standing Ovation Award have been announced. The Standing Ovation award is for individuals and companies who have shown exceptional achievement in the pub theatre environment. There are fourteen categories which includes awards for best production, solo show, actor awards, outstanding production values, comedy, innovative play, raising awareness and black box
The Awards Panel is composed of LPTM reviewers, led by award winning playwright David Weir. The panel are keen that the awards should be encouraging innovation, greater access, sustainability, diversity, under-represented voices, taking risks and keeping alive our theatrical history.
The 2022 Winners will be announced at The London Pub Theatre of the Year Awards on 30 October, 5.30pm at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate.
The full list of finalists can be viewed here
2022 STANDING OVATION FINALISTS TO BE ANNOUNCED 10 SEPTEMBER/LPTM AWARDS CEREMONY TO BE HELD 30 OCTOBER
Run by London Pub Theatres Magazine STANDING OVATION NOMINATIONS are made throughout the year. The FINALISTS will be announced on the magazine and on twitter on Saturday 10 September. Finalists will receive an invitation to attend the 2022 Awards ceremony, to be held on Sunday 30 October at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate. The ceremony is part of LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR AWARDS.
The Awards Panel is composed of LPTM reviewers, led by award winning playwright David Weir. The Standing Ovation award is for individuals and companies who have shown exceptional achievement in the pub theatre environment. The Awards panel are keen that this should be encouraging innovation, greater access, sustainability, diversity, under-represented voices, taking risks and keeping alive our theatrical history.
There are currently fourteen categories in the Awards including best production, innovative play, play raising awareness and black box. Only shows seen by LPTM reviewers can be considered for the award.
A request for a reviewer can be send to Enquiries@londonpubtheatres.com minimum 5-night run (except for Camden Fringe)
THE BREAD & ROSES THEATRE announces
CLAPHAM FRINGE FESTIVAL 2022 LINEUP
The Clapham Fringe festival presents an egalitarian festival fostering new work and emerging talent 22 September – 9 October. Now in its 7th critically acclaimed Year, the full program of productions for 2022 has been announced. With an eclectic, vibrant mix of early career producers, touring productions, stand up comedy and genre-bending new work, the festival promises to have something for all tastes.
Highlights include, The Bread & Roses Theatre Company’s much-loved scratch and work-in-progress night The Platform (22nd - 24th Sept), well known in the Off West End community as a hotbed of new voices and a hugely dynamic engine room for work to go from the development stage into the main programme and beyond. Evan Reynolds’ new play BoyBi (9th October) goes from page to stage for the very first time as part of the festival, having been developed as part of The Bread & Roses’ Writer’s Circle earlier this year.
Other highlights include Expial Atrocious’ BUTCHERED (24th & 25th Sept), a blood-thirsty absurdist drama about challenging tradition, with dynamic choreography, abstract language, and an original soundtrack, and Goodbye ‘89 (2nd – 4th October), a love letter to the pioneering activists of the ‘80s from By the Balls Theatre Company.
The event is curated and produced by The Bread & Roses Theatre, led by Managing Director Rebecca Pryle, Artistic Director Velenzia Spearpoint and Associate Producer Alexander Knott.
Clapham Fringe Festival runs from 22 September - 9 October 2022 at The Bread & Roses Theatre, 68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4 6DZ London.
The full festival line-up can be viewed AT A GLANCE here and on The Bread & Roses website here
Clapham Fringe Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClaphamFringe
Twitter @ClaphamFringe
Instagram: @ClaphamFringe
GOLDEN GOOSE CLOSES ITS DOOR IN SEPTEMBER FOR REFURBISHMENT
An exciting new era awaits as Golden Goose closes it's doors in September in preparation for an upgrade to the theatre: A relaunch, with a new space, new shows and a new layout. Exactly 2 years after Golden Goose first opened their doors, they will throw them open again with ReIgnite - an exciting season showcasing the BRAND NEW THEATRE.
After 6 weeks of renovations, the theatre will reopen with a new thrust layout, tiered seating on 3 sides (with room for more theatre goers), and a new lighting rig. The opening season, Relnite, will feature work from brand new companies alongside Olivier Award winning writers and Pulizer Prize winning plays, culminating in a Festive Festival and flagship home-grown work into January and February.
Artistic Director, Georgia Harris, comments: "We can't wait to ReIgnite, bigger and better, and we can't wait for you to join us. Keep your eyes peeled for sneak peaks, chats and revelations over the coming weeks, as we reveal exactly what we've got coming!"
Keep in touch with the theatre on twitter: @GooseTheatre
Website: https://www.goldengoosetheatre.co.uk/
What's on page: https://www.londonpubtheatres.com/whats-on-golden-goose-theatre
JULY 2022
ETCETERA THEATRE'S BLACK BOX FESTIVAL IS BACK
the Etcetera in Camden has become a hub for several London theatre festivals including Camden Fringe with many shows to see during August. With the re-launch of Etcetera's annual Black Box Festival (formerly PNPA Festival), they are reaffirming their commitment to creating a strong platform for the capital's upcoming theatre makers.
Running from the 14 - 19 November the theatre welcomes some of London's most thrilling new fringe theatre, comedy, cabaret and musical acts. The theatre has three different slots available , with no hire fee and a 50/50 box office split.
For more details and to apply to take part, get in touch with the Artistic Director, Emily Keeble, email admin@etcetertheatre.com
CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL OPENS AUGUST 2022 WITH A BROAD VARIETY OF SHOWS IN PUB THEATRES
The Camden Fringe returns to North London this August for a 16th time, with another packed programme. There are over 240 different productions currently on sale, with a few more additions anticipated.
“All shows are priced between £5 and £15 so you can take a risk without having to take out a loan” says Co-Director Zena Barrie.
There are ten pub venues taking part with Etcetera Theatre in Camden boasting the largest number of shows, with a whopping 42 productions. This is where Camden fringe started back in 2004 and your festival line-up would not be complete without a visit to this venue. The Hen and Chickens Theatre comes in next with a very proud 39 shows. The theatre is run by three actors, so you are sure to experience the thespian vibe here.
Also, with plenty of shows to choose from, don’t miss out, Canal Cafe Theatre in Little Venice, Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town, Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate and The Hope Theatre in Islington.
If you are struggling to choose which shows to see, check out our selection here.
Camden Fringe Festival runs 1st – 28th August 2022.
For the full line-up of shows see camdenfringe.com
THEATRE503 SEEKS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AFTER ANDREW SHEPHERD STEPS DOWN
Andrew Shepherd has been appointed the new Executive Director of Selladoor Worldwide, co-leading the company alongside Creative Director Naomi James, and working with CEO David Hutchinson to take Selladoor into a new chapter of opportunity and growth.
Shepherd is currently Executive Director of Theatre503 having joined the new writing venue in 2016. Together with Artistic Director/CEO Lisa Spirling, they have been responsible for transforming the organisation, including securing the 503Studio at Nine Elms, launching a global online writers’ programme, a new investment fund, and a paid trainee producer scheme. Shepherd will be joining Theatre503’s Capital and Strategic Development Board to continue to support the delivery of the 503Studio and a physically accessible Latchmere space.
Andrew Shepherd: “.... It is a bittersweet moment to be embracing a new chapter while also leaving a role that has changed my life. I am so incredibly grateful to the Theatre503 Board and team, past and present, for all their support and tireless commitment to supporting the best early career playwrights in the world. Above all to the remarkable Lisa Spirling and everything we have achieved together.”
Lisa Spirling, Artistic Director/CEO Theatre503: “Andrew’s passion, vision, and expertise have been a game-changer for Theatre503 and for so many early career writers and the artists that bring their words to life. Working with our team, Andrew has been instrumental in an extraordinary moment in our organisation’s history. It has been a joy and a great privilege to have him as my running mate. The board, the team, and I will miss him tremendously but we’re thrilled for this new chapter at Selladoor.“
Full details of the Executive Director position and how to apply can be found of the Theatre503 website
THE BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE OFFER OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE OF ALRA
The Bridge House Theatre are very proud to be working with students who were studying at The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts when it suddenly closed earlier this year. This new production of Chekhov’s The Seagull adapted and directed by the theatre’s artistic director Luke Adamson places Chekhov’s characters in the roaring 20s in the UK.
“The 'Bright Young Things' have changed the mood in town fuelled by the boom of jazz, fashion and the arts, but on an estate in the country there is only a lake, and the people around it burn for something more… On a summer's day in a makeshift theatre by a lake, a bold new play is to be performed. What happens during, and in the days immediately after, this performance will change not just the course of the summer, but the lives of everyone involved, for ever after.”
Luke Adamson and Joseph Lindoe, The Bridge House Theatre’s artistic team, are ALRA graduates and were very keen to help as soon as they heard the news of the schools closure.
Adamson says: “We’re so glad to be able to afford these students the opportunity to perform on our stage. Leaving drama school and heading into our industry is difficult at the best of times, but when your training has been so badly disrupted it is bound to make that transition even harder. We’re hopeful that this run will provide a springboard for the students to connect with agents, casting directors, directors and producers. It will also give them a valuable insight into the world of small scale and off west end theatre.”
Lindoe says: “... small scale/fringe theatre is so important to up and coming actors. It provides a space for creative freedom, creating your own work often being essential in this industry. We're looking forward to providing a safe and supportive environment for these new professionals as they embark on their careers."
The show runs 23 Aug - 3 Sep at 7.30pm. https://thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk/shows/the-seagull/ Although press are welcome to join us and tickets can be requested via info@thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk, we’d ask that you remember that this is a student production.
ALEXANDER KNOTT APPOINTED ASSOCIATE PRODUCER AT BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE
Former Artistic Director at Old Red Lion Theatre (2019 - 2021), Alexander Knott, has been appointed Associate Producer at Bread and Roses Theatre. Knott is a South London based, Off West End Award winning theatre maker who works as a writer, director and creative producer. He is also Joint Director of theatre collective Bag of Beard and Resident writer for BoxLess Theatre (since 2016).
He has written and directed plays at the Bristol Old Vic, The Barn Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East, 53Two Manchester, the Underbelly Edinburgh, the Old Red Lion Theatre and numerous venues across London. His reimagining of ‘Private Peaceful’ won the 2022 Off West End Award for Theatre for Young People, Families and Those with Special Needs. His work has been nominated for multiple other Off West End Awards, LPT Standing Ovation Awards and Off West End commendations.
His plays include: Loop (BoxLess, Theatre Royal Stratford East, national tour & Edinburgh Fringe), Bath (Bag of Beard, The Bread & Roses Theatre), Blue Blue (WoLab, Kings Head Theatre), Brenda from UKIP (Proforca, The Space/Lion & Unicorn), Renaissance Men (Joint Writer/Dramaturg, Old Red Lion/Square Chapel Arts Centre & northern tour), Hedgehog (BoxLess, Lion & Unicorn Theatre), At Last (Joint Writer, Proforca, Lion & Unicorn and tour), Nothing Between Friends (Joint Writer, West Avenue, Waterloo East Theatre), Yesterday’s Dreams (Katzpace), December - A New Play for Christmas (Old Red Lion Theatre), Cratchit (Park Theatre). He is 2022 Associate of New York/Chicago playwrighting studio collective, Telling Humans.
In Autumn 2022, his new play ‘Ballooniana!’ will launch the New Wimbledon Theatre’s Premieres season of new writing.
Artistic Director of Bread and Roses Theatre, Velenzia Spearpoint comments: "We are very excited to welcome Alex to our small team and know that he will bring invaluable experience and energy to The Bread & Roses Theatre."
JUNE 2022
THEATRE AT THE TABARD RETURNS WITH SIMON REILLY AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
In June 2022 Take Note Theatre was awarded the lease to operate the Theatre above the Tabard pub. The theatre originally opened in 1985 as the ‘Tabard Theatre of New Writing’. It operated as the Tabard Theatre until 2019, when it was renamed Chiswick Playhouse. In 2022, as it reopens, the Tabard name will return.
Take Note Theatre was established in 2018 by Simon Reilly and Sarah Reilly, and brings together established and emerging theatre talent to bring new and classic stories to the stage. Simon Reilly who was also the General Manager of the Tabard Theatre from 2008 to 2019 is appointed Artistic Director.
Reilly comments:
“I’m delighted to be returning to the Tabard and to the wonderful community of Bedford Park, Turnham Green and Chiswick. We look forward to bringing the local audience a wide range of theatre, comedy and entertainment, and to developing opportunities for local young people to get involved in the arts.”
The theatre plans to reopen in July with comedy and drama. Meanwhile the management company are continuing to build their team of creative and production associates, as well as broadening opportunities for young and emerging talent to get involved through volunteering, internships and trainee schemes. Further shows are being programmed in the coming months for the 78-seat Tabard studio space.
More details about Theatre at the Tabard can be found on their website https://tabard.org.uk/
KING'S HEAD THEATRE CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN/HISTORIC MOVE TO ISLINGTON SQUARE IS SCHEDULED FOR 2023
Co-Artistic Director Hannah Price has decided that she will be stepping back from the venue. Hannah has been presented with a number of exciting opportunities outside of KHT, and will be continuing in the revised role of Associate Director to support Mark Ravenhill in his creative vision.
KHT’s trustees are also delighted to confirm that following a pandemic hiatus, the final planning permissions for the charity’s new home are now progressing. Subject to these being approved by Islington Council, the move to the 250-seat purpose-built theatre in Islington Square is scheduled to go ahead in 2023.
The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about great theatre, it is known for its challenging work and support of early career artists. KHT is committed to fighting prejudice through the work it stages, and the artists and staff it works with. The team believes in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work - work they are passionate about.
What's On pages for upcoming shows can be viewed
here
MAY 2022
PUB THEATRES PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLDWIDE UKRAINIAN PLAY READING SERIES
Finborough Theatre and Jack Studio Theatre have both announced their participation in the Worldwide Ukrainian Play Reading Series in support of the Ukrainian people. Jack Studio Theatre have announced a live event on 4 June (read below).
FINBOROUGH
FINBOROUGH Theatre’s new digital initiative #FinboroughFrontier continues with the first in an ongoing season of online readings and performances of Ukrainian Plays as a part of the Worldwide Ukrainian Play Reading Series, a collaboration with the Theatre of Playwrights in Kyiv to read new Ukrainian plays around the world. In addition, true to our policy of pairing vibrant new writing with unique rediscoveries, they will also be presenting readings and performances of classic Ukrainian drama and poetry in English.
The first in the series is OTVETKA by Neda Nezhdana, available from Monday, 30 May at 6.00pm on the Finborough Theatre YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/finboroughtheatre
Simultaneously available free with subtitles on Scenesaver www.scenesaver.co.uk
“This war is not just on territory but inside us all. Cities being bombed, yes, but the brain is bombed even more. Cyber-attacks, fake news, fabricated terrorism, election fraud…” Under the shadow of an imminent Russian attack, a woman tries to hold her shattered life together after the father of her unborn child is killed in the Donbas by a sniper. Suddenly, her phone pings with a happy message from a friend on the other side. A wedding invitation! How will she respond?
This explosive ‘monodrama’ by leading Ukrainian writer Neda Nezhdana confronts not only the physical war between Russia and Ukraine, but the hybrid war she sees unravelling around the world. ‘Otvetka’ is a Ukrainian word that means both answers and a military retaliation.
The play is currently electrifying audiences in Ukraine where performances are constantly interrupted by the all-too-real sound of the air-raid siren. It is dedicated to a true Ukrainian hero, the tenor Vasyl Slipak who traded success in the Paris Opera in 2016 to volunteer to fight for his country in the Donbas – only to be killed by a sniper a few months later.
All videos are free to view but the theatre does ask for donations for Voices.org.ua, a Ukrainian charity providing urgently needed psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by the war in Ukraine. DonatIions: https://voices.org.ua/en/donat/
JACK STUDIO THEATRE
THE JACK STUDIO THEATRE are producing plays in support of the Worldwide Ukrainian Play Readings Project.
“The Worldwide Ukrainian Play Readings Project is working round the clock to bring the words of Ukraine’s amazing and courageous playwrights to the world by translating dozens of their plays, many written in the last few weeks from the frontline – raw, immediate and powerful.”
The Jack Studio is proud to present six of these short plays written by six different playwrights. All ticket sales for this performance will go directly to two charities: Ukrainian Emergency Performing Arts Fund and Voices, which helps children affected by war.
They invite audiences to join them to show solidarity with these Ukrainian theatre makers.
The programme:
Our Children written by Natalia Blok
The Peed-Upon Armored Personnel Carrier written by Oksana Grytsenko
Peace and Tranquillity written by Andriy Bondarenko
Planting The Apple Tree written by Iryna Harets
A Dictionary of Emotions in the Time of War written by Elena Astasyeva
Give Me A Taste of the Sun written by Oleksandr Viter
The performance date is Saturday 4 June 2022 at 7.30pm, tickets are £15 suitable for 16+
The Worldwide Ukrainian Play Reading project was initiated by American critic John Freedman. For more information, please see here: https://www.citd.us/worldwide-ukrainian-play-readings
VOTING HAS OPENED FOR SCENESAVER’S BIRTHDAY HONOUR AWARDS FOR BEST ONLINE PERFORMANCES
Voting has opened for the Birthday Honours Awards for the best performances on Scenesaver, the free online streaming site showing work from the world's little theatres. The awards attract a huge following with thousands of votes cast.
The awards celebrate the creativity of the fantastic performers, writers, directors, producers and technical crews whose work is showcased on Scenesaver and watched by thousands of people all over the world.
Anyone can contribute to the people's vote by nominating a production or creative for an award and these votes will be added to the votes cast by Scenesaver's expert selection panel.
The closing date for nominations is midnight on Sunday May 15th, finalists will be announced on Sunday May 22nd and the winners will be revealed on Sunday May 29th at 7pm
The details are on the site: https://www.scenesaver.co.uk/blog/win-a-performance-award-in-the-birthday-honours/
Nominate your favourites here: https://www.scenesaver.co.uk/scenesaver-birthday-honours/
Browse and watch all productions here: https://www.scenesaver.co.uk/all-productions/
APRIL 2022
THE KING’S HEAD THEATRE TO PREMIERE
THE HAUNTING OF SUSAN A, a new ghost story by MARK RAVENHILL set within and inspired by London's oldest pub theatre
The King’s Head Theatre have announced the world premiere of Mark Ravenhill’s new play The Haunting of Susan A, which will run at the venue - London’s oldest pub theatre - from 1 – 26 June 2022.
Written as a response to the 50th anniversary celebration of the King’s Head Theatre and having celebrated the famous creatives who started their careers at the theatre, like Tom Stoppard, Victoria Wood and Bryony Lavery, Mark Ravenhill premiers his first new play as Artistic Director of The King’s Head Theatre.
Drawing on the traditions of a classic ghost story, The Haunting of Susan A explores the power of the mind to make the unseen visible and for the cruelty of the past to haunt a room.
Mark Ravenhill said of his new play, “Arriving last year as co-artistic director in time for the 50th anniversary, I reflected on the memories that might be held in this space, London's oldest pub theatre. The result is a ghost story. Inspired by my love of the work of M.R. James, my new play is set in the King’s Head and explores how trauma from the past can realise itself in the present and the power of the imagination to make the unseen manifest.”
Further details of cast and creative team to be announced. Tickets are on sale now here.
The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about great theatre, it is known for its challenging work and support of early career artists. The King’s Head is committed to fighting prejudice through the work it stages, and the artists and staff it works with. The team believes in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work - work they are passionate about.
SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR CLAPHAM FRINGE 2022 AT BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE
The organisers of this performing arts festival have announced that their portal for applications to take part in the 2022 CLAPHAM FRINGE is now open. Running over three weeks 22 Sept - 9 Oct 2022, it offers low registration fees and box office splits. This popular festival hosts around 45 - 50 productions each year. Submissions are invited for theatre, comedy, cabaret, musicals, family shows & whatever else theatre makers have invented. The deadline for applications is 10th June.
The Clapham Fringe was founded in 2015 by Rebecca Pryle and Tessa Hart, who also founded The Bread & Roses Theatre. In 2016 Velenzia Spearpoint joined the team. The Festival is designed to celebrate and foster emerging talent by giving affordable opportunities to stage new work at Bread and Roses Theatre.
The Bread & Roses Theatre is an intimate and versatile space with artistic quality and fair representation of societies real diversity at the heart of the theatre's programming. They focus on new writing, underrepresented voices and distinctive work.
Further details of the festival and how to apply can be found on the Bread and Roses website
CELEBRATING 400 YEARS OF LONDON PUB THEATRES
Did you know that London Pub Theatres Magazine is over 400 years old? One of the first writers for the paper was John Dryden who was beaten up over an article in a little known rival publication, The Stooge. The altercation happened in the passageway of the Lamb and Flag Pub in Covent Garden, a venue which was also frequented by one William Shakespeare.
Published 1 April
MARCH 2022
MARK RAVENHILL TO DIRECT A CONTEMPORARY QUEER REINVENTION OF PUCCINI’S LA BOHÈME AT THE KING’S HEAD THEATRE
Mark Ravenhill, Co-Artistic Director of The King’s Head Theatre, will direct a contemporary queer reinvention of Puccini’s classic opera LA BOHÈME, opening at the world-renowned Islington pub theatre’s stage from 26 April and playing until 28 May.
With Puccini’s score and a new English libretto originally conceived by David Eaton and Adam Spreadbury-Maher with additional material by Philip Lee, and with Musical Direction from David Eaton, this classic tale of love and loss amongst a community of struggling artists returns to the King’s Head Theatre in a new version which relocates the story to contemporary London. Full casting will be announced shortly.
Penniless writer Rudolfo struggles to monetise his online writing but a Grindr hookup with a Liberty perfume salesman- known to his friends as Mimi -leads to unexpected blossoming of romantic passion. Meanwhile Rudolfo's flatmate, Marcello pursues an on/off relationship with sometime model Musetta who is torn between the idealism of loving an artist and the material possibilities offered by a hedge fund manager. As a year passes from one Christmas to the next, the four friends struggle to reconcile love with artistic aspiration and the need to pay the bills.
Mark Ravenhill explains: “Our version of La Bohème is the story of a group of friends who started partying in the 1990s. As they reach middle age, they are faced with the possibility that now may be the time to sell out and settle down. But romantic passion, sexual desire and the hedonistic pleasures of partying remain as strong as ever. It's exciting to honour the overwhelming romantic beauty of Puccini's score with his eye for telling social detail in this new version”.
Puccini's story has been constantly reinvented since its premiere in 1896 most notably with the Broadway musical Rent. A previous production for Opera Up Close enjoyed a successful run at the King’s Head Theatre, and received an Olivier award. Subsequently in 2018 another incarnation of La Boheme from the King’s Head Theatre West End season was nominated for Best New Opera at the Oliviers.
The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about great theatre, it is known for its challenging work and support of early career artists.
Tickets from £10 are on sale now here
A NEW MULTI-ARTS FESTIVAL FOR EARLY CREATIVES TO EXPERIMENT FOR FREE OPENS AT LION AND UNICORN THEATRE
A new multi-arts festival for early-career creatives to experiment for free opens at Lion and Unicorn Theatre 23rd – 28th May 2022 curated by ChewBoy Productions. ChewFest is the latest creation from the 'weird, whacky and wonderful minds' of the multi-award winning ChewBoy Productions.
Following cancellation after cancellation of festivals for early-career creatives of any age to showcase their work, the ChewBoy team wanted to curate a week-long event of celebrations, experiments and brand-new, never-before-seen work. The festival aims to provide a free platform for early-career companies and creatives who are looking to either have their first credit on a London stage or are looking to be bold with their work in abstract ways. Over the course of the week, ChewBoy will provide support to over 12 companies and individuals in bringing short and snappy pieces to a London venue.
The week-long celebration will include: 5 new short plays from 5 new playwrights, performed as rehearsed readings by 5 recently graduated actors; half-hour extracts of exciting experimental work from new companies; revival of the award-winning TETHERED production by ChewBoy; a new collaboration with Proforca Theatre (managing company of Lion and Unicorn Theatre); free online workshops and much, much more!
Further information about the festival and how to get involved can be found on the Chewboy website here: www.chewboyproductions.com/chewfest
FEBRUARY 2022
KING'S HEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES SPRINGBOARD, A NEW FESTIVAL FOR EARLY YEARS COMPANIES
The King's Head has announced a new festival, SPRINGBOARD, featuring early years companies who missed out on performance slots due to the cancellation of VAULT Festival or the pandemic. It will run at The King's Head Theatre 29 March - 23 April 2022. It is an eclectic mix of drag, cabaret, comedy and drama and aims to be unexpected, bold and a guaranteed good time.
Co-Artistic Directors Mark Ravenhill and Hannah Price, Producer Sofi Berenger and the whole team at the King’s Head Theatre are delighted to announced Springboard festival with 87% of shows created by, or telling the stories of LGBTQ+ people, the season reflects the King’s Head’s commitment to exploring the many diverse stories and artists that make up the LGBTQ+ community.
Shows announced so far are available to view on the King's Head website What's On | King's Head Theatre (kingsheadtheatre.com
Co-Artistic Director Mark Ravenhill said, “It's been a tough couple of years for young theatre makers. So it's encouraging to see so many of them coming back with new, fresh work for our King’s Head Theatre Springboard festival. It will be great also to welcome audiences back to share a range of work that's youthful, contemporary and more than a little bit queer.”
The King’s Head is committed to fighting prejudice through the work it stages, and the artists and staff it works with. The team believes in fair pay for all on the fringe and creates accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work - work they are passionate about. In 2022, subject to a fundraising campaign, the King’s Head Theatre will move into a custom-built space in the heart of Islington Square, directly behind its current home securing the future of the venue for generations to come.
SEVERAL PUB THEATRE VENUES WIN AT OFF WEST END AWARDS 2022
The winners for OffWestEnd Awards 2022 were announced Sunday 20 February. With 26 categories at 24 venues across London, several pub theatres have been successful and have also triumphed in categories of the People’s Vote.
The Offies 2022 were held online hosted by OffWestEnd Director Geoffrey Brown at Battersea Arts Centre. The online platform was provided by Scenesaver, a digital hub hosting over 600+ performances free to view. The Offies family of awards recognise and celebrate the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of independent, alternative & fringe theatres.
LONDON PUB THEATRE WINNERS ARE LISTED BELOW:
OFFWESTEND MAJOR AWARDS
COSTUME DESIGN
Justin Nardella / The Sugar House / A Million Freds Prodns / Finborough
LIGHTING DESIGN (Joint winners)
Robbie Butler / Wolves Are Coming For You / Jack Studio Theatre
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Beth Burrows / Call Me Madam / Upstairs at the Gatehouse
MUSICAL DIRECTION
Benjamin Levy / Godspell / Ye Olde Rose and Crowne
DIRECTOR (MUSICALS)
Mykal Rand / Five Guys Named Moe / Upstairs at the Gatehouse
CHOREOGRAPHY / MOVEMENT
Robbie O'Reilly / Boys in the Buff / Lambco Productions / Drayton Arms Theatre
PANTO
Beowulf / Charles Court Opera / Kings Head
COMPANY ENSEMBLE
DJ Bazzer's Year 6 Disco / Chewboy Productions / Golden Goose Theatre
OFFFEST WINNER AT CAMDEN FRINGE
JULIET & ROMEO from Giggle Riot Theatre at The Cockpit & Upstairs at the Gatehouse
ONCOMM
PLATFORM BASED WORK (Joint winners)
Athena Stevens/Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels at Finborough/hosted by Scenesaver
PEOPLE’S VOTE
Most Comfortable
Drayton Arms
Most Welcoming
Jack Studio Theatre
Online Info & Booking
Drayton Arms
Programming Policy
Jack Studio Theatre
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
DAME JUDI CONGRATULATES LONDON PUB THEATRE AWARD WINNERS
Dame Judi Dench pictured during The Shaw Society’s 80th anniversary online celebrations
Oscar nominated national treasure; Dame Judi Dench has congratulated a young theatre company for their award-winning production of George Bernard Shaw’s intimate comedy Village Wooing.
SHAW2020’s production, directed by Jonas Cemm and starring Joe Sargent as ‘A’ and Maryann O’Brien as ‘Z’, won a ‘Standing Ovation’ award at the 2021 London Pub Theatre Awards and is a finalist for an OffFest award at this year’s Offies.
Dame Judi, who is nominated for best supporting actress at this year’s Academy Awards for her breathtaking performance in Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, appeared alongside the late Richard Briers in Village Wooing on ITV in 1979.
"Congratulations to Jonas and the team for the nomination and win for Village Wooing, a play I have fond memories of performing in. It’s wonderful to see SHAW2020's work continue to thrive as shown by this industry recognition. I wish their production continued success", said Dench who is a Shaw Society vice-president.
Village Wooing will return this summer, visiting The Jack Studio and Upstairs at the Gatehouse during its London leg of a National tour (full details will be available soon).
SHAW2020 is a theatre company affiliated to The Shaw Society, dicated to performance, adaptation, education and promoting equality using Shaw’s plays and writing to engage wider, more diverse audiences, especially after 2020, when Shaw came out of copyright.
The Shaw Society was founded on Bernard Shaw’s 85th birthday, 26th July 1941. The charity’s purpose is to promote his plays and other writings, bringing together academics, theatre professionals, and Shaw fans. The Society’s President is Sir Michael Holroyd; VicePresidents include, Actresses Dame Judi Dench, Sylvia Syms OBE and Toni Kanal, playwright Bonnie Greer OBE, theatre directors Richard Digby-Day and Michael Friend. 2021 Marked the Society’s eightieth anniversary.
JANUARY 2022
FOLLOWING DEVASTATING CANCELLATION OF VAULT FESTIVAL FIVE SHOWS ARE OFFERED FREE RUNS AT DRAYTON ARMS
Following the devastating cancellation of VAULT Festival several pub theatres stepped up to offer help (see the list at the bottom of the report). Five of the VAULT festival productions have transferred to Drayton Arms Theatre who generously offered completely free runs at their venue in South Kensington.
Artistic Director, Audrey Thayer, says, “The damage of COVID and the subsequent government response has done to the theatre industry is incalculable, hitting emerging and freelance artists the hardest. The VAULT team has always done such exceptional job showcasing early career artists and brave new work - I really hope to honor their efforts, as well as the efforts of the companies that would have been seen there. While I know this is a small percentage of the creatives that have been affected, I do hope to counteract some of the damage and continue to support our fellow theatres and artists in whatever way we can.”
The productions which have transferred to the Drayton Arms can be seen throughout the month of February and can be booked on their website The productions are: Bad Clowns:INVASION by The Bad Clowns; Brave Face by Everleigh Brenne; Borders by Nimrod Danishman; Queening by Tahys Rodriguez and Slow Death Of A Lotus Flower by Benedetta Scuto.
Other theatres offering space include:
Rosemary Branch on the border of Hackney/Islington
White Bear Theatre in Kennington
Bread and Roses in Clapham
Bridge House Theatre in Penge
Etcetera Theatre in Camden
Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town
Canal Cafe in Little Venice
Golden Goose in Camberwell
Chiswick Playhouse
Barons Court theatre
MANY PUB THEATRE SHOWS ANNOUNCED AS FINALISTS IN OFF WEST END AWARDS 2022
A list of finalists for the prestigious Off West End Awards were announced on Thursday 13 January followed by a list of OnComm and OffFest finalists. Many of these were shows at London Pub Theatres with one theatre, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, being named for three shows in five different categories (see list below).
The winners will be announced at the Offies 2022 Awards Ceremony which will be held online on 20 February 2022 from 7pm. The "People's Vote" is also now open for OffWestEnd theatres across 9 categories.
THE SHOWS:
Finalists for Off West End Awards (Offies) includes shows at pub theatres as follows
Justin Nardella / The Sugar House / A Million Freds Prodns / Finborough
R&R Costumes / The Tragedy of Dorian Gray / Blue Devil Theatre / Drayton Arms Theatre
Robbie Butler / Wolves Are Coming For You / Jack Studio Theatre
Sorcha Corcoran / 21 Round for Christmas / Hope Theatre
Juan Jackson /
Five Guys Named Moe / Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Beth Burrows / Call Me Madam / Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Christian Maynard / Five Guys Named Moe / Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Benjamin Levy / Godspell / Ye Olde Rose and Crowne
Jessica Douglas / Call Me Madam / Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Mykal Rand / Five Guys Named Moe / Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Five Guys Named Moe / Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Louise Hoare, Adam Slynn & Max Kirk / Skin Tight / Southern Magpie / Hope Theatre
Robbie O'Reilly / Boys in the Buff / Lambco Productions / Drayton Arms Theatre
Beowulf / Charles Court Opera / Kings Head
DJ Bazzer's Year 6 Disco / Chewboy Productions / Golden Goose Theatre
Mathilde Dratwa / Milk & Gall / Theatre503
Tom Brennan / The Sugar House / A Million Freds Prodns / Finborough
THE HOPE THEATRE ANNOUNCES FIRST SPRING SEASON UNDER THE ARTISTIC DIRECTION OF PHIL BARTLETT
Phil Bartlett the new Artistic Director of The Hope Theatre, has announced details of the spring 2022 season at the acclaimed 50-seat pub theatre in the heart of Islington.
The season opens with the world-premiere of Measured, Emma O’Brien’s witty and moving play about the hidden consequences of living with an eating disorder, which is accompanied by Measured Festival, a selection of electric late-evening events celebrating mental health awareness, including stand-up, improv and comedy. Other world-premieres include A Good Time Was Had By All, a dark satire about a group of friends who discover disturbing information about one of their group, and Up in Town, a new stage adaptation which marks the twentieth anniversary of the cult TV series about an older woman’s desire to be visible.
Much of the programme looks outside of London, with Emma Zadow’s new play Fridge focussed on two sisters reuniting in Norfolk, and If. Destroyed. Still. True., the debut script from Jack Condon, exploring male friendship in rural Essex. The season closes with 100 Paintings, a dystopian comedy about a young artist and his mother which comes to the Hope after a successful shorter run at the Bread and Roses Theatre last year.
There is also the return of the popular Sunday-Monday programme, which offers emerging theatre-makers the opportunity to present their work without having to commit to a full three-week run.
Artistic Director Phil Bartlett said, “Despite the many challenges the theatre industry continues to face, it’s been a real pleasure putting together the spring season. With a focus on new writing and stories which look beyond London, these productions are dramatic, surprising, and have something to say about the world we live in now.”
The theatre is making a small price rise in April reflecting the rise in national living wage and the theatre’s ongoing commitment to ensuring all performers, stage management and box office staff are paid a legal wage.
The full programme of shows can be viewed on The Hope Theatre What's On page
here
DECEMBER 2021
KING’S HEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES 50th BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL
The King's Head Theatre presents ‘Barstools to Broadway’, a celebration to mark the successes of its first 50 years as they look towards their new move to a new venue in Islington Square planned for late 2022.
Founded by the original Artistic Director Dan Crawford, The King’s Head Theatre opened its doors behind a pub on Upper Street in 1970. Over the last 50 years, playwrights, plays and creatives that have passed through its doors have gone onto great heights: spring-boarding them from the Fringe into the West-End, Broadway and beyond.
The celebration will kick off on Monday 14 February with an event at the V&A in South Kensington, including a reading of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s The Third. Ten years after her lunchtime play at the King's Head, Wertenbaker’s ‘Our Country’s Good’ opened on Broadway.
The first of the plays to be read at the Upper Street venue will be ‘Artist Descending a Staircase’ by Tom Stoppard. This is followed by Stephen Jeffreys’ ‘Like Dolls or Angels’ and Bryony Lavery’s ‘Grandmother’s Steps’. The celebration climaxes on Friday 18 February at 7.00pm with Victoria Wood’s Good Fun.
Co-Artistic Director Mark Ravenhill said, “It’s been fascinating to rummage in the Kings Head archives. This week of readings is a fantastic celebration of some of our best work with audiences who have fond memories of the original productions and to others who were too young to enjoy them first time around. It’s a great way to begin the process of saying goodbye to our beloved pub theatre as we prepare for our move next door to a purpose built 220 seat theatre, a space for the next generation of theatre makers who I’m hoping will have the same cultural impact as the playwrights we’re celebrating in Kings Head 50’.
Full details of the celebration and fund raiser can be found on the King’s Head website: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on
KING’S HEAD THEATRE APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER AHEAD OF MOVE
king’s Head Theatre have announced Thomas Ryalls as Executive Director and Sofi Berenger as Producer. They join the newly appointed Co-Artistic Directors Mark Ravenhill and Hannah Price as the King’s Head prepares to make its historic move to a new venue within Islington Square.
Former Executive Director, Fiona English, was with the theatre for five years. During this time she helped raise more than £2m and saw hundreds of productions take place. Fiona guided the venue through the COVID crisis, implementing an effective business plan and ensuring there were no staff redundancies.
Co-directors Hannah Price and Mark Ravenhill comment: “We are delighted that Tom Ryalls is joining us. After the extraordinary leadership the King’s Head has enjoyed throughout the pandemic under Fiona English, we knew we needed someone strong, innovative and visionary to help lead us through the next challenging steps … The King’s Head Theatre has always been a place that has attracted extraordinary talent and we are delighted to continue that tradition with the appointment of Sofi Berenger. As we work towards the 2022 move into the new building we knew we needed a bold, brave and inspiring producer who will help us champion extraordinary new voices. Sofi is that producer.”
The theatre plans to champion new exciting voices making bold brilliant LGBTQIA+ theatre.
FINBOROUGH THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES
NO RENTAL FEES FOR VISITING COMPANIES PLUS
From January 2022, the Finborough will be abolishing rental fees for visiting companies and instead will share a straight 50/50 box office split of the box office takings capped to ensure every visiting company will receive as much income as possible. This initiative has been made possible by a magnificently generous donation from The Carne Trust.
CLIMATE CHANGE
We are also happy to announce another initiative which has been in the pipeline for years and we’ve finally made happen. We now have our own separate 100% green electricity supply. Whilst there is still work to do before we are 100% carbon neutral, this is a major step towards that goal.
EQUITY FRINGE AGREEMENT
The Finborough has signed the Equity Fringe Agreement for their own in-house Finborough Theatre productions, guaranteeing stronger working conditions for actors, performers and stage management for all future Finborough Theatre productions.
LAUNCHING #FINBOROUGHFRONTIER premiering January 2022
During lockdown, #FinboroughForFree series released monthly free-to-view archive recordings and original online content including new plays, rediscoveries, a community festival, and the Finborough Forum, an invitation-only group for theatre creatives. The Finborough received London Pub Theatres’ Award for Pub Theatre of the Year 2020 for their online work, and their web series Late Night Staring At High Res Pixels won London Pub Theatres Standing Ovation Award for Best Online Theatre 2021. Finborough is now launching #FINBOROUGHFRONTIER for futue online content curated by Artistic Director Neil McPherson and Playwright-in-Residence Athena Stevens. It will be entirely free to view, and also be available in a subtitled version.
For more information and to see upcoming productions at The Finborough visit www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
NOVEMBER 2021
THE BARONS COURT THEATRE APPPOINTS NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Barons Court Theatre Appoints new Artistic Director Sharon Willems and Executive Director Leo Bacica Images of Sharon Willems and Leo Bacica here. The Barons Court Theatre is thrilled to announce that Sharon Willems will become the new Artistic Director in November 2021. She is joined in her appointment by new Executive Director Leo Bacica. Sharon will succeed Ron Phillips, who has held the post since the theatre was founded in 1991. Leo will succeed Christian Deal who has been Theatre Manager since its founding. Sharon and Leo run independent theatre company Kibo Productions and will continue to create work with Kibo Productions, both at the Barons Court Theatre and beyond, while managing the Barons Court Theatre.
Sharon Willems says: ‘I’m excited to step into this role and to continue the legacy of supporting emerging artists that Ron established during his tenure. As we continue to recover and adapt from the immense challenges of global pandemic, fringe theatres like the Barons Court Theatre must continue to feed the ground by supporting artists to take bold steps into the industry. We intend for the Barons Court to be a lifeline to those who feel the industry is impenetrable. We believe it doesn’t have to be, and we will do whatever we can to be a resource to those artists that feel shut out and unwelcome. Leo and I aim to create new opportunities for early career and underrepresented artists by programming their work, supporting their development, and offering a fair financial model to companies that stage work with us. Our hope is that this will create an inclusive, collaborative and welcoming space for artists and our local community at the Barons Court Theatre. I can’t wait to see what develops over the coming months and years together.’
Leo Bacica says: ‘We have been friends of Barons Court Theatre for many years and have worked brilliantly with Chris and Ron in the past. To be able to build on their legacy is both exciting and deeply humbling. We are looking forward to bringing to life our vision for the future of Barons Court Theatre as a vibrant hub of the community, a friendly and inclusive platform for young artists and a respected fringe space on London’s rich performing arts scene.’
Outgoing Theatre Manager Christian Deal says: ‘Ron and I could not be leaving the theatre in better hands. We look forward to what Sharon and Leo get up to in this new phase of the Barons Court Theatre’s life.’
Further details can be found on the new website Home | Barons Court Theatre
'THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB STORY' TRANSFERS FROM THE HOPE TO JERMYN STREET THEATRE 2022
Image: Award winning actors, Bart Lambert as NATHAN LEOPOLD and Jack Reitman as RICHARD LOEB
Today, Jermyn Street Theatre announces its Spring 2022 season, The Outsiders Season, which runs from mid-January to early July. It opens with an eagerly awaited transfer of a critically praised musical thriller directed by Matthew Parker, former Artistic Director of The Hope Theatre.
Award winning director Matthew Parker’s 2019 production of this dark and thrilling musical of masochism and murder, for The Hope Theatre, received numerous five-star reviews with its two leads jointly winning the OffWestEnd Award for Best Male Performance in a Musical.
Set in Chicago in 1924, the production tells the story of Richard Loeb, who is obsessed with crime and Nathan Leopold, who is obsessed with Richard. High on adrenaline, the two travel across America leaving a trail of arson, theft, and vandalism in their wake. But Richard wants to take a step further - a step that will test Nathan’s loyalty to the limit. Can they commit the ultimate crime: a perfect murder?
The production runs from 13th January to 5th February.
Tickets are available on the Jermyn Street website Now & Next | Jermyn Street Theatre
OLD RED LION THEATRE PREMIERE, SAVING BRITNEY, EMBARKS ON TWELVE VENUE TOUR
Saving Britney written by David Shopland and starring Shereen Roushbaiani embarks on a 12 venue tour around UK and Off-Broadway January to March 2022. Fresh from a sold out, award nominated run at London’s Old Red Lion Theatre, Saving Britney will tour around the UK before transferring to the same Off Broadway venue where Fleabag and Nanette made their New York debuts and The SoHo Playhouse in July.
Inspired by the #FreeBritney movement, Saving Britney is a hilarious and heartbreaking look at celebrity obsession, sexuality and growing up in the early noughties; featuring more nostalgia than you can shake a Tamagochi at! Devised collaboratively by award-winning performer Shereen Roushbaiani (BBC’s Doctors, Pride and Prejudice The Panto, Mummylogues) and Bath-raised writer/director David Shopland (A Dream Of Dying, Into Thin Air, The Little Mermaid).
Saving Britney, which is produced by Fake Escape, reopened London’s prestigious Old Red Lion Theatre in May 2021 after 425 days. It played for three weeks to sold out audiences, won rave reviews and was nominated for two Off West End Awards; for leading performer and direction.
Venues on the UK Tour Include pub theatre:
The Old Joint Stock Theatre BIRMINGHAM (13/01 – 15/01)
The Town and Gown Theatre CAMBRIDGE (20/01 – 22/01)
The Alma Tavern BRISTOL (27/01 – 29/01)
Other venues and full details of the tour can be found on The Saving Britney website
OCTOBER 2021
NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE, LAURA KILLEEN, ANNOUNCES HER FIRST SEASON
Laura Killeen is announced as Artistic Director of Rosemary Branch theatre. The theatre reopens after 18 months of closure due to the pandemic with a new season celebrating 25 years of women leadership. Cecilia Darker and Cleo Sylvestre were joint Artistic Directors for 18 years followed by Genevieve Taricco and Scarlett Plouviez Comnas who took over in 2016.
This charming theatre, which is on the border between Islington and Hackney, is a much beloved space for audiences and performers alike aiming to offer informative, joyful and inspiring events. The opening season titled UNLOCK offers a wide variety of performance types from one-person-shows to drag cabaret, stand-up to children’s events all the way to podcasts and puppetry. The program will major in women-led companies and creators such as Sarah Wright of Kneehigh and Curious Puppets, award-winning theatre maker Haley McGee and Edinburgh Festival Best Show Nominee Elf Lyons.
As part of UNLOCK - and to recognise disparity in the performing arts in not only gender, but race - the theatre will be offering free rehearsal space to People of the Global Majority until the end of the year.
The full list of events can be viewed on the Rosemary Branch website here
Read LPT magazine interview with Laura Killeen here
LONDON PUB THEATRES AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
London Pub Theatre of the Year Awards and Standing Ovation Awards were announced on 24 October 2021 in a live ceremony at Lion and Unicorn theatre. The winners are as follows:
LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR AWARDS (our major awards):
LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2021
Directors: Lisa Spirling and Andrew Shepherd at Theatre503
RUNNER-UP LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2021
Artistic Directors: James Wren and Felicity Wren at The Hen and Chickens Theatre
COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO PUB THEATRES
Artistic Director: David Brady at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre
STANDING OVATION AWARD WINNERS 2021:
(Standing Ovation nominees and Finalists can be found here)
BEST PRODUCTION
LONDON ZOO by Farine Clarke, directed by Samantha Pears / UnEqual Productions Ltd at Bread and Roses Theatre
SNOWFLAKES by Robert Boulton/ Dissidents Theatre Company/ at Old Red Lion Company
BEST PRODUCTION (REGIONAL TRANSFER)
From Northern Ireland - A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER by Marie Jones/ Soda Bread Theatre at Chiswick Playhouse
REDISCOVERY
VILLAGE WOOING by George Bernard Shaw/ SHAW2020 Theatre Company at Etcetera Theatre / Camden Fringe
ADAPTATION
TIER THREE SISTERS by Knuckledown at The Hope Theatre /Camden Fringe
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES
WOLVES ARE COMING FOR YOU by Joel Horwood, at The Jack Studio Theatre
INNOVATIVE PLAY
TETHERED by Georgie Bailey/ChewBoy Productions at Lion and Unicorn Theatre
COMEDY
BORROWED TIME by Garth Oates/ Flat A Creative at Hen and Chickens Theatre /Camden Fringe
NEW PLAY RAISING AWARENESS
ALL THAT by Shaun Kitchner, directed by James Callàs Ball at The Kings Head Theatre
ACTORS AWARD
A RAT, A RAT by Chloe Yates at Golden Goose Theatre
Winner - Rose Reade
HEMATOMA written and performed by Kieran Dee, Produced by Moon Loaf Theatre Company at Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Winner - Kieran Dee
ENSEMBLE ACTING
THE NOBODIES by Amy Guyler/Chalk Line Theatre at Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Finalists: David Angland, Joseph Reed, Lucy Simpson
LONDON ZOO by Farine Clarke/ UnEqual Productions at Bread and Roses Theatre
Finalists: Louie Keen, Mike Duran, Natalie Lauren, Adil Akram, Derek Jeck and Cal-I Jonel
BLACK BOX
MARY & MIETEK Burning Pages & Katla Theatre Company at The Hen & Chickens Theatre/Camden Fringe
THEATRE ONLINE
LATE NIGHT STARING AT HIGH RES PIXELS by Athena Stevens / Finborough
Congratulations to all
SEPTEMBER 2021
WHITE BEAR PREMIERE, MAGGIE AND TED, IS TRANSFERRING TO THE EVONNE ARNAUD
Following its premiere at White Bear Theatre (in October 2019) MAGGIE AND TED by Michael McManus transferred to the Garrick Theatre for two nights in June. Now it has a third run at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud, a leading regional theatre, in October. The comedy explores the 25-year rivalry between Prime Ministers Ted Heath and Margaret Thatcher.
MAGGIE and TED is directed by the Artistic Director of White Bear Theatre, Michael Kingsbury. Martin Jarvis OBE, one of the UK's most distinguished and beloved actors, reprises his role as Sir Edward Heath together with Clare Bloomer as "Maggie", described by Gyles Brandreth as "quite the best Margaret Thatcher I've seen". They are joined by Jon Glover and Lisa Bowerman.
Further information and tickets can be found here at Maggie & Ted | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre (yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
FINBOROUGH THEATRE, THEATRE503 and BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE REOPEN IN SEPTEMBER
News in brief from FINBOROUGH THEATRE, THEATRE503 and THE BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE about their opening programme of shows and recent developments.
FINBOROUGH RETURNS TO LIVE THEATRE 14 SEPTEMBER, HAVING BEEN BUILT BACK BETTER
During lockdown, Finborough Theatre has been built back better. Literally. The Finborough building was purchased earlier this year by entrepreneur and property investor Jason Collins. During the past six months, the entire building has been extensively renovated and refurbished. This includes double glazing, substantially reducing noise from the street during performances and upgraded electrics, (with the support of The Theatres Trust), enabling the theatre to be far more ambitious in the future with the technical needs of their productions. Also, a new management for the pub will shortly be announced, allowing the pub’s disabled toilet to be fully reinstated.
The autumn season opens with Paul Kember’s NOT QUITE JERUSALEM, an award-winning comedy-drama from 1980, the year the Finborough Theatre first opened, in celebration of its 40th anniversary year. Not Quite Jerusalem is set on an Israeli kibbutz in 1979.
This is followed by UK premiere of Jordan Hall’s romantic comedy for the end of days, HOW TO SURVIVE AN APOCALYPSE 28 September-23 October 2021.
The full programme of shows can be found on Finborough’s website https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/
THEATRE503 RETURNS TO LIVE THEATRE 6 SEPTEMBER HAVING MADE SEVERAL TRANSFORMATIONS
Theatre503 is opening 503Studio for new writing at Nine Elms and in addition the Latchmere space is to be made physically accessible with a lift (reported in July).
The new season of plays opens 6 September with 503RESETS, a series of short-run plays. This is followed by FOXES by Dexter Flanders 5 – 26 October. Shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award, Dexter Flander’s fierce debut play explores masculinity and homosexuality within London’s Caribbean Community and black street culture.
Next in the season is MILK AND GALL 2 - 27 November. Theatre503 International Playwriting Award finalist (in 2018), Mathilde Dratwa, holds up a microscope to the experience of being a new mother under Trump. It is directed by Theatre503’s Artistic Director, Lisa Spirling.
The full programme of shows can be seen on Theatre503 website https://theatre503.com/whats-on/
BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS INAUGURAL SEASON UNDER THE NEW ARTISIC TEAM
The relaunched Bridge House Theatre in Penge, South East London are delighted to announce their first season under the artistic direction of Luke Adamson supported by Joseph Lindoe and their literary team. The season features new writing, comedy, verbatim theatre, a month of female led work and culminates in a repertory pantomime season.
Following a day long comedy festival on the 29th August, The Bridge House Theatre restarts theatre performances with RELAUNCHED a showcase style performance featuring a taste of what the revamped theatre will be offering. Featuring performances from local actors, the Bridge House team, as well as snippets of upcoming shows, each night will be a different blend of comedy, drama and song.
Following that is Gamma Ray Theatre’s hilarious AY UP HITLER. After losing the Second World War, Hitler and his Cronies go into hiding, in the last place anyone would think to look… YORKSHIRE!
The 29 September sees the start of a female-led month of work, whilst Halloween sees two comedy horrors coming to Penge.
The full programme of shows can be seen on The Bridge House Theatre website https://thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk/
AUGUST 2021
King’s Head Theatre cancels the remainder of the season of Shaun Kitchener’s 'All That' due to COVID
King’s Head Theatre have been forced to cancel the remainder of the season of Shaun Kitchener’s Award nominated 'All That ' due to COVID.
A spokesman said:" One of our amazing cast members unfortunately tested positive, ruling out a return to the stage for the next 10 days. We employed an understudy to help protect us from cancelling shows if a cast member had to isolate due to close contact, but with the positive case in the cast, the entire team will now be isolating.
"As a relatively young cast, not everyone has had the opportunity to receive two vaccinations as yet, and we are not able to continue from Monday under the government’s updated guidance for people who are fully vaccinated.
The production received two Offie Nominations for Best Ensemble and Best New Writing and a Standing Ovation nomination.
Covid regulations are sadly, preventing more audiences from seeing this and other shows at other venues. Sometimes resulting in postponed shows and often causing financial and other strains.
The King's Head spokesperson continued: "For a small venue, this has been both a creative and financial blow, and we encourage the government to progress insurance plans, and a daily testing programme in place of compulsory isolation, that would support creating work in the current climate. We are incredibly grateful to the full team on this show, who have worked incredibly hard in difficult circumstances, and we look forward to having the opportunity to work with them again in the future, and being able to celebrate their talent."
Ticket holders will be contacted by the box office team over the coming days, and offered a full refund or the opportunity to help support the charity via a donation in these still challenging times.
PHIL BARTLETT ANNOUNCED AS NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE HOPE THEATRE
The Hope Theatre Board of Trustees have announced that Phil Bartlett has been appointed to the post of Artistic Director, taking over from Kennedy Bloomer who leaves at the end of August.
Phil trained as a director at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was previously the Resident Assistant Director at Theatre Royal Plymouth. His work as director includes Marie, which won the Scottish Arts Club Bright Spark Award at the Edinburgh Fringe and then toured Scotland with Perth Theatre, and A Christmas Carol at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester. A former finalist for the JMK Award, Phil was Resident Director on the UK and Ireland tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda the Musical.
He has delivered outreach and education courses for the Young Vic and Bigfoot Arts Education, managed ticketing for festivals including LIFT and Dance Umbrella, and is a visiting practitioner on the BA Acting programme at the University of Plymouth.
Phil Bartlett said, "I’m really delighted to have been given this rare opportunity to help shape the future of a leading London fringe venue. The Hope Theatre has repeatedly proven it is possible to produce exceptional theatre in the most intimate of spaces, and as the incoming Artistic Director I’m excited to support a diverse range of artists in telling stories that are bold, surprising, and have something vital to say about the world we are living in now."
Closed since March 2020, this acclaimed 50 seat pub theatre in the heart of Islington reopened in June and has recently announced its autumn season, starting with in-house show FEVER PITCH, running from 31 August – 25 September.
Opening in 2013, The Hope Theatre was originally a sister theatre of Islington’s King’s Head Theatre, renovated from a function room above the famous Hope & Anchor pub and music venue into a black box studio theatre. The Hope Theatre has transferred two productions to the West End (Ushers to the Charing Cross Theatre and the Snoo Wilson's Lovesong Of The Electric Bear to The Arts) and has been home to many world premieres. It also housed the professional world premiere of Joe Orton’s Fred And Madge.
The Hope Theatre is a place for audiences and companies to explore BIG ideas. It nurtures and develops new producing models, working with exciting companies to present a mix of new writing, lost gems from well-known writers, re-polished classics and innovatively staged musicals.
Although The Hope Theatre has received no regular public subsidy since its 2013 opening, it was the first Off West End venue to open with a house agreement with Equity. This ensures a legal wage for all actors, stage managers and box office staff working at the theatre.
The full programme of upcoming shows can be viewed here
MARK RAVENHILL AND HANNAH PRICE APPOINTED ARTISTIC DIRECTORS OF KING'S HEAD THEATRE
Mark Ravenhill and Hannah Price have been appointed to carry forward the inclusive vision of London's first pub theatre, The King's Head Theatre in Islington. The pair will continue the work of Adam Spreadbury-Maher who stepped down from his post as Artistic Director in September 2020 after a decade of service. They will see the theatre through to it's historic move to a purpose built theatre in Islington Square in 2022.
Mark Ravenhill and Hannah Price, who applied for the position together, said: "Along with many others, we've reappraised our priorities over the last year of lockdown. With the disruption of theatre work and its devastating impact on both institutions and freelance workers, we felt that now was the time to roll up our sleeves and be part of the rebuilding of our industry."
This innovative collaboration is part of a new mode of working in the creative industries prompted by lockdown, where two people share one high-profile role, increasing creativity and productivity. Mark and Hannah will join Executive Director Fiona English as joint CEOs.
Fiona English remarked: “We are thrilled that Hannah and Mark are joining us. There have only been three artistic directors in the theatre's history since it was founded in 1970: Dan Crawford, Stephanie Sinclaire Lightsmith and Adam Spreadbury-Maher. Hannah and Mark are the perfect pair to continue their rich legacy. We all look forward to Summer 2022, which will see the opening of our new 220 seat theatre just next door at 116 Upper Street in the shortest move in theatre history.”
The artistic duo first worked together as co-directors of Ghost Story, a 2011 live television play for Sky Arts, written by Ravenhill and starring Lesley Manville and Juliet Stevenson. They have both directed plays at the King’s Head at pivotal points in their careers. Working with Adam Spreadbury-Maher, Mark directed and wrote Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea for Opera UpClose and Hannah directed That Moment by Dougie Blaxland.
Mark Ravenhill rose to fame with his first play 'Shopping and F@@ing' which was produced by the Royal Court Theatre in 1996, transferring to the West End and touring extensively nationally and internationally. Hannah is a theatre director and Founder and previous Co-Artistic Director of Theatre Uncut. She also works across immersive events, VR and video games. Her work on video game CONTROL helped earn a record breaking 11 BAFTA nominations. Her VR/ 360 video work has been exhibited at the Barbican and as part of the Traverse Theatre’s online offering. She was Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse in 2012-2013.
Plans for the new King's Head venue, which include headline productions of new work, will also host a summer Queer School in which young people who identify as LGBTQ+ will be taught a queer curriculum not included in mainstream schooling. In addition with her unique experience in both live and digital practise, Hannah Price will lead a new innovative digital strategy for the King’s Head, building on the success of its first digital season Plays on Film (earlier this year).
The final season in the King’s Head pub theatre, beginning in April 2022, will be the first programmed by Hannah and Mark: “We’re excited to be planning the final three months of work in a room behind a pub which for the last 50 years has been home to so much incredible talent. It’s that spirit which we carry into the new building and prepare the way for another 50 years of theatrical adventures.”
The year ahead will see a final push to raise the remaining funds needed for the move to the new building.
JULY 2021
Sadly, Katzpace Studio Theatre, which was forced to close in March 2020 due to the pandemic, will not be reopening.
The theatre was founded in October 2017 by Bebe Barry and Greg Birks in the heart of London Bridge, in the basement of Bavarian Bierkeller, Katzenjammers. Their programme included in-house shows, comedy, new writing and adaptations. One of the theatre's aim was to provide a platform for those who may not have the experience, funds or team to develop and showcase their work elsewhere. It was a chance to be seen by members of the industry and allow complete artistic freedom to try out new ideas, presenting exciting work for audiences.
As well as a receiving house, the theatre was home to two Associate Theatre Companies, EXPLODING WHALE THEATRE and LIDLESS THEATRE. Lidless Theatre’s show 'Pebbles' marked the official opening of Katzpace and received much critical acclaim. Whilst, Exploding Whale’s debut show 'Heroes' enjoyed sell out runs at Katzpace, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Bridge House SE20.
Co-directors Bebe Barry and Greg Birks commented on twitter: “We have had the most amazing four years welcoming the best people through our doors. Thank you to everyone that supported our little space, we’re going to miss it so much!”
FINBOROUGH THEATRE’S UPCOMING ONLINE PRODUCTION, MASKS AND FACES, TO FEATURE REAL LIFE THEATRE CRITICS
Finborough Theatre has announced its next online production MASKS AND FACES, about backstage life, will feature two real life theatre critics: Michael Billington and Fiona Mountford as Snarl and Soaper. Michael Billington was Theatre Critic of The Guardian from 1971 to 2019 and Fiona Mountford was Theatre Critic at the Evening Standard from 2002-2019.
Set in the 18th century, written in the 19th century, filmed in the 20th century (with an all-star cast), and now presented for the first time online, MASKS AND FACES by Charles Reade and Tom Taylor, is a celebration of making theatre.
In the tradition of The School for Scandal and The Rivals, MASKS AND FACES is both a 18th century period caper and a tribute to the backstage world of the theatre, complete with the hapless failed playwright, Triplet, and his hungry family, to real-life writer Colley Cibber, and the ghastly critics Soaper and Snarl……
First performed in 1852, the history of Masks and Faces is rooted in Kensington and Chelsea and the local area around the Finborough Theatre. It provided Ellen Terry – a former resident of Finborough Road, and a long-term resident of Earl’s Court – with one of her first and most acclaimed leading roles. The production is supported by the Friends of Brompton Cemetery, next to the Finborough Theatre, where the co-author Tom Taylor, and actors Ben Webster and Sir Squire and Lady Bancroft – all known for their roles in Masks and Faces – lie buried.
MASKS AND FACES is available to watch on the Finborough Theatre YouTube channel from Monday, 19 July at 6.00pm to Monday, 16 August 2021 at midnight as part of #FinboroughForFree, and showing concurrently with subtitles on Scenesaver.
Full details and links to the show are available on the Finborough website https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/finboroughforfree-masks-and-faces-or-before-and-behind-the-curtain/
The play is presented as part of the Kensington + Chelsea Festival, which runs from 21 June–31 August 2021.
GUINESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER NEWSREVUE RETURNS TO CANAL CAFÉ THEATRE FROM 15th JULY 2021
In March 2020, for the first time in its 40-year run, NewsRevue was forced to close. Not to be beaten, the team went online with the NewsRevue Podcast. Now NewsRevue will return to live productions at Canal Café Theatre from 15 July 2021 with its inimitable commentary on these extraordinary times.
This current affairs parody song and sketch show is acknowledged as a "rite of passage for all comedy newcomers" (Chortle). Alumni include The League of Gentlemen, Sarah Pascoe, Bill Bailey, Saskia Reeves and Michelle Collins. The cast members, described as being “an impeccable cast” (London Pub Theatres), together with an on-stage musical director receive 5-star reviews at Edinburgh Fringe Festival every year.
Masochistically popular amongst politicians, you may see an MP in the audience! A fast-moving mix of sketches and songs, NewsRevue propels you through the world’s news and current events at breakneck pace — with brand new content injected into the show weekly by a crack team of writers and cast alike.
Emma Taylor, Artistic Director of the Canal Café Theatre and producer of NewsRevue says: “Such a catch-22. NewsRevue was locked out of its home for the first time in its world record-breaking 40 year history and not able to comment live on the most groundbreaking news of our times. Like so many others we pivoted and created a podcast! But nothing beats the live shows and we’re bursting at the seams to explode back onto the stage and ‘revue’ the news as only we can.”
NewsRevue will perform every Thursday - Sunday and bookings can be made on the Canal Café Theatre website: https://canalcafetheatre.com/our-shows/newsrevue/
THEATRE503 TO OPEN A WORLD-CLASS CENTRE FOR EARLY CAREER PLAYWRIGHTS IN NINE ELMS
Theatre503 are overjoyed to be able to share the news that they are founding a world-class centre for early career playwrights after gaining funding. Wandsworth Council announced that Theatre503 have been successful in their bid to create a new 320 square metre, state-of-the art studio space in Nine Elms, Wandsworth which will open its doors by 2023.
The Council praised Theatre503 for “supporting future generations in gaining new skills through training” something that “Theatre503 are passionate about”.
Lisa Spirling, Artistic Director of Theatre503 tweeted:
“Theatre for me and so many is a series of somewhat ridiculous sounding dreams become reality. This has been the biggest dream of them all.”
The 503Studio will provide an open space for anyone in the local community who wants to tell their story and explore their creativity. It will also provide a bridge between 503’s artistic development programmes and its theatre productions staged in Theatre503’s existing Latchmere venue on Battersea Park Road.
The Studio will include a rehearsal suite, multi-purpose event spaces, a creative area for writers including desks and a reading room, as well as housing the administrative offices of Theatre503. This will enable the theatre to expand their programme, in particular engaging with more people in the Nine Elms community and the borough of Wandsworth, as well as continuing to deliver their unique support of diverse debut and emerging playwrights from across the UK and beyond.
This is the start of a major transformation project at Theatre503 that the Latchmere space being refurbished and becoming accessible with the installation of a lift and levelling of the floor.
Further details of the project can be found on Theatre503 website https://theatre503.com/503studio/nineelms/
THEATRE503 TO BECOME ACCESSIBLE WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A LIFT
By the end of 2023, Theatre503’s current theatre space above the Latchmere (Three Cheers Pub Co) in Battersea will become accessible with the installation of a lift and levelling of the floor.
Traditionally pub theatres have struggled with access, mainly because many of them have narrow winding staircases. Lack of room or funds has often prevented the ability to install a lift. Some notable pub theatres who are ground floor and are accessible include Jack Studio Theatre in Brockley and King’s Head Theatre in Islington.
The addition of a lift at Theatre503 coincides with their plans to open a world-class centre for early career playwrights in Nine Elms (in 2023) further establishing their reputation for giving expert support and development to writers for the stage with full access.
Further details of their access policy can be found on the Theatre503 website https://theatre503.com/about-us/accessibility/
JUNE 2021
KING’S HEAD THEATRE'S PLAYMILL FESTIVAL OPENS 12 – 24 JULY
King’s Head Theatre have announced that they will be reopening their doors at the iconic King’s Head pub for Playmill Festival 12 - 24 July. The King’s Head Festival of new work aims to showcase the UK’s most exciting & ambitious emerging companies. Coming back from lockdown, the Festival offers an opportunity to give a show another outing or to get work on its feet for the first time. The festival covers all styles of new writing whether it’s a drama or a comedy, a musical or spoken word. More shows are being announced over the coming weeks.
These can be found on the King’s Head Theatre website and on LPT’s What’s On page
THEATRE503 PREMIERE, J’OUVERT, OPENS IN THE WEST END
Image by Helen Murray
J’Ouvert by Yasmin Joseph is opening at the West End Harold Pinter Theatre on 16 June following its premiere at Theatre503 in 2019. The show which opened to much critical acclaim has been taken up by both the BBC and theatre producer Sonia Friedman. In 2020 the play became a BBC drama (currently still available to watch on BBC iPlayer). Now, Sonia Friedman is taking it to the West End.
The show is a timely reflection on the Black British experience and sexual politics of the Notting Hill Carnival:
“The streets of Notting Hill are alive with history and amidst the soca, sequins, and endless feathers, Jade and Nadine are fighting for space in a world that should be theirs. A timely echo of Caribbean resistance across centuries, J’OUVERT is a joyful and fearless story of two best friends, battling to preserve tradition in a society where women’s bodies are frequently under threat.”
Writer Yasmin Joseph is an alumnus of 503FIVE writers residency at Theatre503. More details of the residency can be found on Theatre503 website.
More information about the West End production of J’Ouvert (and box office) can be found here
WHITE BEAR PREMIERE, MAGGIE & TED, TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END’S GARRICK THEATRE
MAGGIE AND TED by Michael McManus which opened at The White Bear Theatre, Kennington in October 2019 is to transfer to the Garrick Theatre for two nights in June. The comedy, directed by AD Michael Kingsbury, explores the rivalry between Margaret Thatcher and Edward Heath.
"Ted Heath, the first working-class leader of the Conservative Party and his ill-fated premiership had one lasting consequence: UK membership of the European Union. Maggie Thatcher, the UK’s first female Prime Minister ousted Ted Heath as party leader and turned the Conservative Party against Europe. The bitter, hilarious feud between these colossal personalities opened up the schism over Europe that divided party and nation – and ultimately led to Brexit."
The play includes some of the original cast members: Clare Bloomer (as Maggie), Lisa Bowerman, Jan Glover and Oli Higginson who will be joined by Martin Jarvis (as Ted).
Thw play shines an intense – and sometimes uproariously funny – light on Maggie and Ted and the Birth of Brexit. Helped by a supporting cast of characters including Winston Churchill, Harold Wilson, Tony Benn, Denis Healey, Roy Jenkins – and even Boris!
Tickets for 28/29 June are available from the Garrick Theatre box office https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/maggie-ted/
Finborough theatre is to present an online performance of LEATHER following its highly controversial run at the Finborough in 1990. The play, about gay domestic abuse, the pain and violence, consensual and non-consensual shows how physical abuse is paralleled by mental control and the erosion of any sense of worth. It played to packed houses at the Finborough Theatre despite an attempt by Whitbread, the brewery that owned the Finborough Arms building at the time, to close it. Section 28, preventing the ‘promotion of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship’ was also waved at the company.
Brave and ground-breaking, it is the most controversial play that Homo Promos has ever produced. Male rape was first highlighted by Capital Gay in two 4-page centre spreads after Heaven nightclub used a rape scene as its Halloween ‘entertainment’ in 1981. Author of Leather, Peter Scott-Presland was one of the journalists who worked on that exposé. The experience fed into the writing of the play which was completed in 1987, although it took three years to get a company together to stage it. When it was performed it was the first play to deal with the subject within the gay community. Many objected violently to any suggestion that it was a common occurrence. Nowadays male rape and domestic abuse is acknowledged as a major stain on LGBTQ+ life: the latest statistics suggest 18% of gay men have suffered it at some time.
There are now several charities which work to support male survivors of abuse and violence. The Zoom reading will be a benefit for Stay Brave, a volunteer-led charity providing support and advice to survivors. To donate, please go to: https://www.staybrave.org.uk/donate
The staged reading of Eric Presland’s LEATHER will be directed by Patrick Kealey with a cast including pub theatre regulars Matthew Hodson and Denholm Spurr. Hodson was one of the original cast members along with fellow actor Keith Bursnall (also appearing).
The reading will be live streamed on Tuesday, 15 June 2021 at 7.00pm, and will then be available from Tuesday, 22 June to Tuesday, 20 July 2021 on the Finborough Theatre YouTube channel, and concurrently with subtitles on Scenesaver.
More details can be found on Finborough Theatre’s website
THE HOPE THEATRE IN SEARCH FOR NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AS KENNEDY BLOOMER STEPS DOWN
The Hope Board of Trustees has announced that Kennedy Bloomer will be stepping down as the Artistic Director of The Hope Theatre in August 2021 to pursue a career in teaching and theatre fundraising. Before she leaves, she will direct her first and last in-house show in September, with details to be announced.
Kennedy was appointed in August 2019 to take over from Matthew Parker, taking over the role in January 2020. Two months into her Artistic Directorship the theatre was forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kennedy Bloomer said, "It was devastating, a real blow to the plans and future I saw for the theatre.” Closed since March 2020, this acclaimed 50 seat pub theatre in the heart of Islington plans to reopen to the public on 29 June at full capacity, in accordance with the government’s roadmap.
Kennedy says, "It's a really bittersweet moment to be leaving The Hope after such a rollercoaster of a time. The staff, our patron and the Board of Trustees have been my rock throughout this past 15 months and also have fully supported me. “
“The Hope Theatre gave me my start as a Theatre Assistant and is the most special venue with captivating productions and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for it."
Hope Theatre Patron Paul Clayton said, “In so many ways Kennedy has been the saviour of the Hope, helping it hang on in there in a very difficult time. However the Hope goes forward, it owes a great deal to the fabulous Kennedy Bloomer. She’s a marvel!”
Opening in 2013, The Hope Theatre was originally a sister theatre of Islington’s King’s Head Theatre, renovated from a function room above the famous Hope & Anchor pub and music venue into a black box studio theatre. The Hope Theatre has transferred two productions to the West End (Ushers to the Charing Cross Theatre and the Snoo Wilson's Lovesong Of The Electric Bear to The Arts) and has been home to many world premieres. It also housed the professional world premiere of Joe Orton’s Fred And Madge.
The Hope Theatre is a place for audiences and companies to explore BIG ideas. It nurtures and develops new producing models, working with exciting companies to present a mix of new writing, lost gems from well-known writers, re-polished classics and innovatively staged musicals.
Although The Hope Theatre has received no regular public subsidy since its 2013 opening, it was the first Off West End venue to open with a house agreement with Equity. This ensures a legal wage for all actors, stage managers and box office staff working at the theatre.
In 2020, Kennedy Bloomer became Artistic Director of the theatre and navigated the theatre through the global Covid-19 pandemic and total closure by taking The Hope Theatre online.
The Hope Theatre was successfully granted funds from the Arts Council England Emergency Response Fund, the ACE and DCMS Culture Recovery Fund 1 and 2. The Hope Theatre team would like to gratefully acknowledge the role that this funding has played in enabling the venue to survive and reopen this summer.
Applications for the Artistic Director of The Hope Theatre open today and close on 14th June at 12pm midday. For more information on how to apply, see: https://www.thehopetheatre.com/work-with-us/
MAY 2021
THE JACK STUDIO THEATRE IS SET TO REOPEN 15 JUNE WITH AWARD WINNING PLAY BY STEWART PRINGLE
The Jack Studio Theatre in South East London will reopen to audiences with live theatre from June 15th. The opening play is award winning play TRESTLE by Stewart Pringle under the direction of Off West End Award-winner Matthew Parker (formerly Artistic Director at The Hope Theatre in Islington).
Winner of the Papatango New Writing Prize, TRESTLE premiered at Southwark Playhouse, London in 2017. The production transfers to London for the first time since its premiere running 15 - 26 June 2021. TRESTLE is a warm-hearted, funny and moving look at two retired people brought together each week as they fold away a trestle table in their community hall. A bittersweet comic drama about later life, love and community. And bananas.
The production is being run with social distancing in place in the theatre. Tickets are available here.
The full programme of events at The Jack Studio Theatre can be viewed on our What's On pages.
Following the news that The Bridge House Theatre in Penge is to reopen in the summer, the artistic team have announced that they are now accepting submissions for programming consideration.
They are actively seeking out socially conscious work, in any format, that offers opportunities to, and representation of, groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the theatre world including:
• Working class artists
• Artists from the Global Majority
• Non binary or gender fluid artists
• LGBTQ+ Artists
In accordance with their desire to work with and offer opportunities to these underrepresented groups they are also delighted to announce the creation of their literary team, who will be the ones reviewing the submissions and seeking out shows. The literary team is made up of performers & playwrights who are all successful in their field, but also representative of each of these groups.
The literary team consists of:
Jo Abram; Jo is a freelance technical and stage manager and she is also a writer and playwright. Her work has taken her around the Off West End world and into the West End. She was previously technical manager at the Hope Theatre where she met Luke.
Emily Carding; Emily is a non-binary actor, theatre-maker and author with an MFA in Staging Shakespeare from the University of Exeter. Best known for their work as an associate artist with Brite Theater, particularly their multi award-winning solo adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard III. Emily is a single parent from a working-class background.
Chantelle Dusette; Chantelle is a writer and performer, Her play EVE(E)OLUTION made the longlist for last years Alfred Fagon’s play of the year Award. She also runs a monthly arts meetup, called “GROW” which is designed to support artists across any discipline, providing a space for work to be tested and shared, in front of an equally diverse audience, to help the artist get to the next phase of their creative journey.
Leon Fleming; Leon is a gay, working class playwright based in Leeds. He's a former member of the literary team at Leeds Playhouse and Co-Artistic Director of 5Pound5 Theatre.
Michael Lyle; Michael is an actor and drama school board member whose career has taken in the National Theatre and the West End. He has known Luke and Joe since their drama school days and is delighted to have joined the literary team but still feels he is a glorified fan-boy.
Tom Stocks; Tom is an actor, writer, producer and spoken word artist who has worked professionally in the arts for 8 years. He is the writer of award nominated show “Netflix and Chill” and is the Programme Manager at The International Youth Arts Festival and The Creative Talent Programme Manager for Creative Youth. He is also the founder of Actor Awareness which fights for equality, diversity, and working class talent in the arts.
EM Williams; EM grew up in the Midlands with their Jamaican father and Irish mother. Their studies and training began in Kent, spanned California, and they continue to grow and develop bouncing between Northampton and London. Specialising in physical theatre, aerial circus, and ensemble, their roles have taken them to three continents (so far). They have been an actor and theatremaker for over ten years, working for The National Theatre, RSC, the AIIA Theatre Tokyo, and on the West End.
The new website for The Bridge House Theatre is being launched at Relaunched (thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk)
Details of how to submit work to The Bridge House Theatre can be found on this page
PANTO IS COMING BACK TO THE CANAL CAFÉ THEATRE THIS SPRING
After their annual pantomime had to be closed at Christmas, Canal Café Theatre is bringing back PETER PANDEMIC this Spring. Can Peter and his friends escape the clutches of Captain Hook and his mystery new recruit? Will showbiz star Ethel Mermaid get her chance to shine again? And can they all stay alert enough to avoid Corona the Crocodile? Join the fun from at least 2 metres away this May to find out!
Peter Pandemic will play at the Canal Café Theatre from the 18th – 23rd May 2021 at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased via the Canal Café
APRIL 2021
KING’S HEAD THEATRE RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES WITH SITE SPECIFIC PRODUCTION OF CHARLES ENTSIE’S AWARD WINNING DRAMA
King’s Head Theatre has announced the return to live performances with a site specific production of Charles Entsie’s Adrian Pagan award winning drama, No Strings Attached. The two-hander will take place in The Islington Square development offering an exciting immersive experience 25 May – 19 June. It marks the return to live performances after more than a year.
Directed by Aileen Gonsalves, the drama takes place within the charged confines of a car at midnight. A clandestine encounter between Boy (Shak Benjamin) and Man (Razak Osman) exposes the reality of living your life in the closet in working class London, and the lengths men will go to to keep their secrets hidden.
The Adrian Pagan Award was set up by King’s Head Theatre in memory of stage manager turned playwright, Adrian Pagan (The Backroom) following his tragic death aged 39. It exists to recognise unconventional routes into writing for the stage and provide a platform for exceptional new artists, with winners receiving a full production at King’s Head Theatre.
Executive Director Fiona English says “Charles Entsie is a magnificent new talent and I’m delighted to be able to share his astonishing debut play with audiences at long last. No Strings Attached encapsulates everything that we set up the Adrian Pagan Award to represent; bold new work from brand new voices that champion diversity in its many forms. It’s only fitting that it was chosen to mark our triumphant return to live theatre this summer.
More details and bookings are on the King’s Head Theatre Website
CHISWICK PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCE THEIR FIRST ASSOCIATE ARTISTS
Chiswick Playhouse has announced their first ever Associate Artists, both regarded as trailblazers of their craft: Tori Allen-Martin and Phoebe Barran. The collaboration will seek to champion new and adventurous work, support a dynamic programme and reaffirm the high artistic values of the theatre.
Tori Allen-Martin (Pandemonium, BBC; London Kills, BBC) is an acclaimed actor, writer and singer-songwriter, who was named as one of the BBC’s New Talent Hotlist in 2017. Most recently she has co-founded Burn Bright, a non-profit organisation aiming to level the playing field for writers who identify as women, helping to create opportunities and share the stories of the marginalised.
Phoebe Barran is an award-winning director, who most recently won an Off West End Award for her revival of Tryst at the Chiswick Playhouse. Barran will be showcasing her skillset as part of the Chiswick Recharged Festival’s Bare Bones, stripping down two new plays The Woodcutters Tale by Orlando Wells and a new version of Tom Sharpe’s Wilt, adapted by David Spicer.
NEW FESTIVAL, CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF THE POPLAR RATES REBELLION OPENS MAY curated by Finborough Theatre and Poplar union
POPLARISM! A digital arts festival celebrating the centenary of the poplar Rates Rebellion of 1921, opens May, curated by Neil McPherson of Finborough Theatre and Beth Watton of Poplar Union.
Poplarism! is a unique collaboration between two very different venues in two very different parts of London – the recently opened arts and community space, Poplar Union, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, one of London’s most deprived boroughs, and the long-established Finborough Theatre, located in one of London’s wealthiest areas, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The two venues are now joining together in a spirit of cross-London partnership and reconciliation to celebrate this milestone in London’s history.
“Poplar will pay its share of London's rates when Westminster, Kensington, and the City do the same.”
The festival will run on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May 2021. 5 pieces of work specially commissioned for the festival, will be released each day of the festival and there will be a live-streamed Q&A with the artists whose work was shown that day from 7pm-8pm.
All the entries will then be available online for one year until 2 May 2022.
In response to an open call to resident artists in East London and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the following artists have been commissioned to take part in the festival:
Catastro/FILLE
Shkembe Soup
ShumGhostJohn
Emily Stone and Jodie Adams
Phoebe and Roger Wagner
Kim Waxham
Marianne Badrichani
I Sis Poet
Sam Tannenbaum
Eliot Vernon
This multi-media festival will comprise an eclectic collection of online experiences including – amongst others – music, a short play about inequality in London, an animated mural, a self-guided audio tour and accompanying zine, and much more.
You can read more about the commissioned artists and their work by visiting the Finborough Theatre website, here
THE BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE IN PENGE RELAUNCHES THIS SUMMER
Photo credit: Katie Lee
After seven years at the helm, Guy Retallack called time on The Bridge House Theatre in December 2020, however it will be relaunched in Summer 2021 under the artistic direction of Luke Adamson.
Luke is an actor, writer and director with over twenty years experience and he comes to The Bridge House Theatre following four very successful years as Associate Director at the award winning Hope Theatre in Islington. During his time at The Hope, working alongside Artistic Director Matthew Parker.
Luke says:
“I’m delighted to have been given the chance to relaunch The Bridge House theatre. I live in the area and I know the wealth of creative talent that we have around here. We will have a focus on Creatives & Community and we look forward to opening up conversations and creating a space that people want to bring shows to, and see shows at.”
The revamped programme will feature shows from established small scale companies as well as offering opportunities for emerging theatre makers. The shows will be entertaining and socially conscious and will offer opportunities to those who are traditionally underrepresented in the theatre world, including working class artists, artists from the Global Majority, non binary or gender fluid artists and LGBTQ+ Artists.
Luke is also designing a pay-what-you-decide course on producing small scale theatre that will run at the venue, offering anyone who wants to learn how to produce a show the opportunity to do so with no financial barrier.
Joseph Lindoe will work alongside Luke as Associate Director. Luke and Joe have combined successfully on numerous productions since graduating together from ALRA and formed JLA Productions in 2019.
Luke and Joe have been given this fantastic opportunity by Scott and Sinon - the owner/manager of The Bridge House pub. They say:
“It is with great excitement that we have the opportunity to relaunch The Bridge House Theatre with Luke and Joe. The energy and excitement that Luke and Joe will bring to our community theatre is exactly what is needed in these tough times. With a hunger for the arts, we truly feel the people of our community deserve fantastic entertainment that Luke and Joe can provide.”
More details of the launch will follow, along with details of how to submit work for programming consideration. To keep up to date with the development follow @PengeTheatre on all the Social Media channels!
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR of PENTAMETERS THEATRE AWARDED the OLWEN WYMARK AWARD for ENCOURAGEMENT in THEATRE WRITING
Léonie Scott-Matthews was awarded the Olwen Wymark Award for Encouragement in theatre writing by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain on 8th April 2021. Léonie, for 50 years the artistic director of Pentameters Theatre in Hampstead, has received this prestigious national award. Writers Guild members were invited to nominate someone in the theatre sector, who has given them exceptional encouragement. Léonie was nominated by playwright Jan Woolf.
Jan says, ‘This has been a difficult year for theatre makers. It was vital to keep in touch with our craft until theatres could open again. I can’t thank Léonie enough for supporting my writing during lockdown, and with an eye to future performance. She has helped so many other writers, in giving a platform for new work. It is as if Pentameters is a petri dish of creativity.’
Named after playwright Olwen Wymark, a passionate supporter of WGGB who died in 2013, the awards were developed by playwrights Mark Ravenhill and David James to give Guild members the opportunity to publicly thank those who have given them a positive experience in new writing.
Cont.
Mark Ravenhill says, ‘Good writers need champions, enablers, cheerleaders, door-openers if they are to reach an audience and to realise their potential. The awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise, thank and celebrate the champions of new theatre writing across the country.’
Léonie Scott-Matthews says, ‘I’m particularly delighted to receive this award as I had long admired Olwen’s work and commitment to the theatre. I’m looking forward very much to re-opening Pentameters with one-man shows on artists Kurt Schwitters and Francis Bacon and the late Michael Dickinson’s play ‘Keats’ Elephant.’
SEVERAL PUB THEATRES ARE AMONGST THE RECIPIENTS OF LIFE LINE PHASE 2 CULTURE RECOVERY FUNDS
Several pub theatres have received news that their culture recovery fund phase 2 applications have been successful. Reactions have shown that for many this comes as an enormous relief and will be instrumental in allowing the theatres to reopen.
The Eagle (home of The Garden Theatre), Canal Café Theatre and Chiswick Playhouse are amongst those who have received this fund for the first time. The Eagle commented in a tweet: "Finally ... we have some good news! We are thrilled and relieved."
Others are grateful to receive the fund for the second time including Bread and Roses theatre, The Brockley Jack Theatre, The Hope, The Finborough, King’s Head Theatre and Theatre503.
Kennedy Bloomer, Artistic Director of The Hope Theatre said: “As one of the smallest fringe pub theatres in London, we are immensely grateful to have received a second grant from the Cultural Recovery Fund. Our theatre building has been closed for over an entire year and we, like many others have been on the brink of closing for good. This support has allowed us to expand into digital performance and our re-opening planning is now more concrete. We have high but cautious hopes to re-open and stay open on the 29 June.
Phase two of the culture recovery fund has awarded £261 million to arts organisations. Thanks to Government financial support and a roadmap for a cautious return to normal life, it will help to enable a kickstart to plans to get back to work for cultural organisations.
Published 2 April 2021
MARCH 2021
BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE ANNOUNCE SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR CLAPHAM FRINGE 2021
After last year’s festival could not go ahead due to the pandemic, BREAD AND ROSES plan a triumphant return of the festival to run 22nd September to 9th October 2021 . Submissions are invited for theatre, comedy, family shows & whatever else theatre makers have invented over the past year.
The Clapham Fringe was founded in 2015 by Rebecca Pryle and Tessa Hart, who also founded The Bread & Roses Theatre. In 2016 Velenzia Spearpoint joined the team and in 2018 Ella Gamble joined as Associate Producer. The Festival is designed to celebrate and foster emerging talent by giving affordable opportunities to stage new work at Bread and Roses Theatre.
The Bread & Roses Theatre is an intimate and versatile space with artistic quality and fair representation of societies' real diversity at the heart of the theatre's programming. They focus on new writing, underrepresented voices and distinctive work.
Further details of the festival and how to apply can be found on the Bread and Roses website
CHISWICK PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES REOPENING IN MAY WITH A NEW FESTIVAL
Chiswick Playhouse will mark its reopening with RECHARGED, a socially distanced festival to include magic, musicals, comedy and more on 17 May - 27 June. Following the Government’s Coronavirus roadmap suggesting that theatres should be able to reopen 17 May (with half capacity houses) Chiswick Playhouse has announced a full programme of premieres, stand-up and music. In line with their commitment to high quality entertainment, artists will include star of stage and screen, Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey; Lovejoy); comedy legend, Andy Parsons (Mock the Week); and comedian and TV personality, Judi Love (Loose Women).
The festival kicks off with A Night at the West End, starring Scott Sutcliffe (Wicked) and Claudia Kariuki (Priscilla Queen of the Desert). This feel-good concert will celebrate the best of musical theatre with irresistible songs from hit shows such as Little Shop of Horrors, Dreamgirls, Wicked and Les Misérables.
The festival will include Bare Bones, a new series of play readings. Actors will perform thrilling plays with no set, costumes or lighting - just the text, the performance, and the audience. Plays include Single Black Female by Lisa B. Thompson, The Woodcutters Tale by Orlando Wells, The Gin Game by D.L. Coburn plus a new version of Tom Sharpe’s Wilt, adapted by David Spicer.
Chiswick Playhouse favourites, Scenaria will present two nostalgic and powerful musical productions at Chiswick Playhouse Recharged, The Soprano Behind the Screen: The Untold and Another Life. There is even an opportunity to spend evenings with leading lights of broadcasting as Phyllis Logan, star of Downtown Abbey; familiar face of Loose Women, Judi Love; and BBC Broadcaster, Torin Douglas, all take to the stage.
Wayne Glover-Stuart, Producer at Chiswick Playhouse, comments: "Opening our doors and switching on the lights has been on hold for far too long therefore I am delighted to be able to welcome back audiences old and new to Chiswick Playhouse. Recharged Festival offers a variety of incredible artforms, and has allowed us to reopen safely and socially distanced. Working with such talented creatives across the festival has been an honour."
The full programme of events is available to view on the Chiswick Playhouse website
KING'S HEAD THEATRE Launches PLAYS ON FILM new streaming service
One year to the day since King’s Head Theatre closed its doors due to Covid-19 (16 March 2021), they announced the launch of PLAYS ON FILM. The first season features five hit shows from some of the UK's most exciting theatre makers available from the venue's new on demand platform, KHTV.
Filmed on location at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington, by the award-winning Shoot Media, the shows will be available to watch from 15 April. Over 50% of ticket sales will go directly to the artists and companies involved at this difficult time for freelancers across the entertainment industry, with the remainder helping to secure the future of the King's Head Theatre.
Executive Director Fiona English says: “We’re overjoyed to announce our very first all-digital season, Plays On Film. We believe these five incredible shows, and the extraordinary theatre makers that created them, deserve the global audience that an online platform can provide. We’re looking forward to working with the companies to realise the potential of filmed theatre on the fringe; as an artform in its own right to be enjoyed by audiences anywhere, at any time. With KHTV, distance never means disconnection for our audiences.”
Curated by the King’s Head Theatre’s programming team, Plays On Film includes drama, comedy and musical theatre offerings, all of which received critical acclaim for previous runs at prominent venues and festivals.
The programme includes JEW...ish, a quickfire romantic comedy exploring sex, polamory and Jewish identity; Vespertilio, an atmospheric tale of love, loneliness, bats and the unlikely connection between two gay men; Sacrament; a powerfully funny monologue about a young Irish Catholic woman questioning her sexuality; I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical, a sparkling revue show about the tumultuous world of musical theatre, on stage and off; and Illusions of Liberty, a searing exploration of invisible illness against the backdrop of a deeply ‘hostile environment.’
Full details and the box office are on the King's Head website
KING’S HEAD THEATRE INVITES APPLICATIONS TO TWO FESTIVALS
The King’s Head Theatre has opened its portal for applications to two Festivals, Playmill and The Queer Season (applications close on 29 March).
Playmill, which takes place 12 - 25 July 2021, is The King’s Head Festival of new work which aims to showcase the UK’s most exciting & ambitious emerging companies. Open to all styles of new writing, it offers an opportunity to give a show another outing or to get work on its feet for the first time, whether it’s a drama or a comedy, a musical or spoken word. Playmill festival is suitable for work of no longer than 60 minutes with a relatively small cast size.
The Queer Season, which takes place 28 July - 22 August 2021, is The King’s Head Festival celebrating some of the most interesting & innovative LGBTQIA+ theatre being created in the UK, featuring revivals alongside premieres of brand new work. Established in 2015, the Queer Season has seen shows from previous years progress and transfer with outstanding success; their 2017 production of Kevin Elyot’s Coming Clean went on to have two West End runs. It is a mix of curated programming from the King’s Head Theatre and work found through an open submissions process and will show a range of different pieces, from one-off performances to 4-week runs.
More information and details of the submission process can be found on King’s Head website https://kingsheadtheatre.com/get-involved/festivals-awards
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THEATRE503 WRITERS RESIDENCY UNTIL 15 MARCH
The Theatre503 applications for 503Five writers residency is currently open until 15 March. The 503Five is an 18 month residency offering writers the opportunity to find their creative home at Theatre503, develop work and experience being at the heart of a new writing theatre.
The prestigious scheme is designed for writers who have developed their craft to a high standard but are not yet professionally produced. The residency offers writers a seed commission of £2,000, a series of masterclass workshops, peer to peer support, industry connections, R&D processes, dramaturgical support, and opportunities to have work staged.
Further details about the scheme and the application process can be found on Theatre503 website. https://theatre503.com/503studio/503five2122/
FEBRUARY 2021
PUB THEATRES ARE AMONGST THE WINNERS AT OFF WEST END AWARDS 2021
Three pub Theatre have been named in four categories in the OFF WEST END AWARDS. The Awards, held online on Sunday 21 February, celebrated the creativity and resilience of our artists in fringe, alternative and independent theatre in a time of crisis. The ceremony included special messages of support from industry people including Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maureen Lipman (see below for other contributors).
Alongside the major OFFIES Awards, the new ONCOMM Awards for online shows were also announced. The successful pub theatres were Finborough Theatre (2 Awards), Chiswick Playhouse and Bread and Roses Theatre.
The ceremony included many messages of love and support from Off West End friends including Brian Blessed, Sharon D Clarke, Samuel West, Sonia Friedman, Stephen Fry, Sadiq Khan, Michelle Terry, Louise Jameson (Patron of the Offies Awards) and others.
Editor of London Pub Theatres Heather Jeffery commented on the tenacity of London Pub Theatres and how they have continued to reach out to audiences and artists.
Dame Judi Dench said: ‘Everybody has found a way of communicating with everybody else and cheering everybody up, it’s so admirable … I do congratulate you all.'
Dame Maureen Lipman closed the ceremony and commented that she applauds the people who have been really innovative “because they know, and we know, that our life is nothing without our dramas, and our stories.”
Geoffrey Brown, Director of OffWestEnd, said: ‘It has been a crazy and depressing year, but it is so exciting to be able to come together to celebrate all the efforts of those in the theatre sector who have presented live shows before and between lockdowns, and to recognise the creativity and innovation of all those who have worked so hard to produce and present online shows in 2020 – using innovative new formats to enhance the audience experience.’
Read LPT interview with award winner Athena Stevens chatting about her new play LATE NIGHT STARING AT HIGH RES PIXELS here
The ceremony is available to view, free of charge on Scenesaver: https://www.scenesaver.co.uk/production/the-offies-2021/
For full details of all finalists for all the OFFIES awards, and more information about the event, visit:
https://offies.london/2021-awards-ceremony/
CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL OPENS FOR SUBMISSIONS 1 MARCH 2021
Camden Fringe Festival has decided to open its portal for applications to take part in the festival from Monday 1 March. The Government’s Coronavirus roadmap suggests that theatre should be able to reopen in May, limited to half capacity and hopefully allow full auditoriums from 21 June. This will be in good time for the opening of Camden Fringe Festival 2 – 29 August.
After the disappointment of having to cancel the festival in 2020, this move to open in 2021 is hugely welcomed. Usually around 17 venues take part in the festival, including Canal Cafe Theatre (Little Venice), Etcetera Theatre (Camden), Hen and Chickens (Highbury), The Lion and Unicorn (Kentish Town) and Upstairs at the Gatehouse (Highgate).
Full details are available on the Camden Fringe Festival Website: https://camdenfringe.com/
WINNERS OF EMERGING COMPANY AWARD announced by BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE
The winners of the The Bread and Roses Emerging Company Award 2021 have been announced. These are VELVET SMOKE PRODUCTIONS and LEADING LIGHT COLLECTIVE.
The Award winners will receive a one-week funded research and development period in March 2021, with the additional possibility of a professional production run at the theatre at a later point. The Award is supported by funding from the Culture Recovery Fund.
Leading Light are a female led arts collective, based in London. They nurture the personal and professional growth of underrepresented demographics, utilising art as their tool.
Velvet Smoke Productions is a new production company, established in December 2020 by Sian Duggan and Tiwai Muza.
The Bread & Roses Theatre is an intimate and versatile space with artistic quality and fair representation of societies' real diversity at the heart of the theatre's programming. They focus on new writing, underrepresented voices and distinctive work.
Bread and Roses website https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/
TWO FILM FESTIVALS RETURN TO THE HEN AND CHICKENS THEATRE IN 2021: PROCEEDS WILL HELP THE THEATRE TO SURVIVE
Unrestricted View Indie Film Festival and Horror Film Festivals are returning in 2021 and will help The Hen and Chickens Theatre to survive.
The Indie Film Festival is back for its sixth year and live screenings are planned for The Hen & Chickens Theatre, Everyman Screen on the Green and VUE Islington. They also plan to have online screenings. The festival runs from 26 April to 2 May.
The Horror Film Festival takes place 25 – 31 October 2021
Film passes are available on Unrestricted View website with early bird discounts. Each purchase will help The Hen and Chickens Theatre get back on its feet.
Indie Film Festival 26 April – 2 May
Box Office: https://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/events/unrestricted-view-film-festival-2021-festival-pass/
Horror Film Festival 25th – 31st October 2021
Box Office: https://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/unrestricted-view-horror-film-festival-festival-pass-2/
JANUARY 2021
FINBOROUGH LAUNCHES DIGITAL ARTS FESTIVAL WITH POPLAR UNION
Poplarism! is a unique collaboration between two venues in London – the recently opened arts and community space, Poplar Union, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and Finborough Theatre in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The two venues are joining together in a spirit of cross-London partnership and reconciliation to celebrate the centenary of the Poplar Rates Rebellion of 1921.
The Festival will run Saturday, 1 May 2021 to Tuesday, 4 May 2021. The two theatre are inviting all residents of the two Boroughs to submit a proposal outlining their creative response to the events of 1921.
Led by George Lansbury, former Mayor of Poplar and future leader of the Labour Party, the Poplar Rates Rebellion of 1921 was one of the milestones of local London history where local government stood against central government on behalf of the poor and the least privileged in society.
Poplar (now in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets) in 1921 – as it is now - was one of the poorest districts of London, and there was no government support to alleviate the high unemployment, hunger, and poverty in the borough. That work had to be funded by local ratepayers – who also had to pay contributions to four cross-London authorities – the London County Council, the Metropolitan Police, the Metropolitan Asylums Board and the Metropolitan Water Board.
Because Poplar was a poor borough, Poplar Borough Council had to set a much higher rate in order to produce the same amount produced by low rates in a wealthy borough (including the home of Finborough theatre in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea). Poplar called for complete equalisation of the rates, so that the same rate brought in the same income both to Poplar and to a wealthier West London borough.
The full story can be found on Finborough Theatre’s website
Patron Dame Angela Lansbury says:
"I am very happy to be patron of the Poplarism! Festival, and I am honoured that the work and achievements of 100 years ago by so many, including my father and grandfather, are still being celebrated today. I do hope as many people as possible will be inspired to enter and participate in the festival."
This open call out to participate in the Festival is designed to celebrate and showcase the creativity of both communities and is an opportunity for those who do and don’t consider themselves ‘artists’. Applicants should respond to the theme as naturally and instinctively as possible, though the work should be in some way a response to the events, personalities and issues of 1921. The theatres are not looking for an historical saga. Instead, they are asking for a response from people of any age and can be presented in any way - music, dance, a performance, drawing, poem, talk, zine, anything that can be presented digitally.
The programming teams at Poplar Union and the Finborough Theatre will select 10 submissions (5 from Tower Hamlets, and 5 from Kensington and Chelsea) to receive a micro-commission of £300 each to put towards the creation of the work. The artists selected will also receive guidance and support from the Poplar Union and the Finborough Theatre in developing their piece.
More details of how to apply can be found on the Finborough website
BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE ANNOUNCE THIRD ROUND OF THEIR EMERGING COMPANY AWARD
This year Bread & Roses Emerging Company Award 2021 will offer an emerging BAME/BIPoC*-led theatre company a one-week funded research and development period in March 2021, with the additional possibility of a professional production run at the theatre at a later point. The Award is supported by funding from the Culture Recovery Fund.
The Award which was launched in 2015 and run for a second time in 2017 offers new theatre companies development opportunities. These have included rehearsal space, R & D, marketing support, and a performance space with 90% box-office-takings for up to one-week-runs.
The year the successful company will receive rehearsal space for one week of research & development, a weekly fee for up to six creatives, feedback and guidance from the Bread and Roses team. It also offers a chance to forge a connection to The Bread & Roses Theatre with the possibility of a future production run (on a box-office split basis) and accessing its professional industry and marketing network.
The Bread & Roses Theatre is an intimate and versatile space with artistic quality and fair representation of societies' real diversity at the heart of the theatre's programming. They focus on new writing, underrepresented voices and distinctive work.
Applications are invited from emerging BAME/BIPoC-led theatre companies with a specific project they are currently working on or would like to start working on.
Whilst the team at Bread and Roses we do not think the terms (BAME/BIPoC) are adequate enough to address societies’ real diversity, they have opted for the use of both of these most common terms, to convey the intended outreach of this opportunity as effectively as possible.
Full details of the Award and the application process can be found on the Bread and Roses website. https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/emerging-companies-award.html
FINBOROUGH THEATRE SURPASSES CROWDFUNDING TARGET/PLANS TO REOPEN LATER THIS YEAR/ANNOUNCES ONLINE PREMIERES
The Finborough theatre has expressed their gratitude to everyone who has donated to their Crowdfunding which has surpassed their target, raising over £32,000. This will help them with their plan to reopen for live performances in September 2021.
In the meantime, the theatre is continuing with its #FinboroughForFree programme and has also announced digital premieres of plays.
The first original production will be Late Night Staring at High-Res Pixels by Finborough Theatre Playwright in Residence Athena Stevens. A new play repurposed for online viewing, it will be presented in 28 separate episodes, streaming daily at 6.00pm from 18 January 2021, culminating in a recording of the whole play. It will also be available on Scenesaver website with subtitles.
February will see entries open for Poplarism!, a multidisciplinary digital arts festival celebrating the centenary of the Poplar Rates Rebellion of 1921. With the patronage of Dame Angela Lansbury, Poplarism! is a unique partnership between the Finborough Theatre and Poplar Union.
March’s release will be a rehearsed reading of this year’s ETPEP Award winning play, Playfight by Julia Grogan, and more new productions will be announced in due course.
The Finborough theatre is currently ‘London Pub Theatre of the Year’ having won the award at an online ceremony in October 2020.
FINBOROUGH FOR FREE and details of upcoming productions can be found on the Finborough website https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/
FOUR SHOWS AT PUB THEATRES ARE ANNOUNCED AS FINALISTS FOR OFF WEST END AWARDS 2021
The Off West End Awards Finalists announced on 7 January include four shows at pub theatres which were produced in 2020. The shows are PIPPIN at the Garden Theatre, BURIED at Old Red Lion Theatre, SCROUNGER at Finborough and TRYST at Chiswick Theatre and Buried at Old Red Lion Theatre.
At Garden Theatre at The Eagle, Broadway musical PIPPIN is finalist for three awards. Performance Ensemble (Joanne Clifton, Tanisha Mae-Brown, Dan Krikler, Harry Francis, Tsemaye Bob-Egbe and Ryan Anderson), Musical Director (Michael Bradley) and Musical Production (Lambco Productions and Peter Bull).
At Old Red Lion Theatre, James Demaine is finalists for his lead performance in BURIED by David Spencer from Bag of Beard collective.
At Finborough theatre, SCROUNGER by Athena Stephens is finalist in three categories. New play (Athena Stephens), Supporting Performance (Leigh Quinn) and Director (Jim Pope).
At Chiswick Playhouse Phoebe Barran is finalist for director of TRYST by Karoline Leach.
The WINNERS will be announced at the online ‘Offies’ Awards ceremony on 21 Feb 2021.
The full list of nominees for the Off West End Awards can be found here https://offies.london/offies-recipients/
DECEMBER 2020
PUB THEATRES VOW TO RETURN AFTER BEING FORCED TO CLOSE AGAIN IN DECEMBER
After another lockdown was announced in December pub theatres who had opened their doors and those who had planned to open for the Christmas season, vowed to return as soon as possible.
On 16 December, all Theatres in Tier Three (including London) had to close due to government regulations. The response was one of disbelief and disappointment, but at the same time the theatres vowed to open as soon as they are permitted.
Two theatre who planned to open for their Christmas season, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, and Old Red Lion Theatre, spoke about their feelings.
The Gatehouse Team who opened for one night before being forced to close expressed their disappointment in the way the pandemic is being handled by the government, considering the extreme measures taken to ensure audiences safety.
“At our one and only show … the audience were temperature checked on arrival and everyone wore masks throughout the performances. We had a ‘full house’ of 40 people who all sat socially distanced and we received many favourable comments not only about the show but about how safe people thought they were in our auditorium. Cancelling the show was a decision made by people outside of our industry …”
Old Red Lion Theatre were also disappointed after having worked so hard to adapt their venue for the public to safely enjoy. They were looking forward to re-opening “after being dark for 9 months”. They added they “understand that these measures are necessary to safeguard the city that we all love.”
Old Red Lion first digital production of their Christmas show December was available to stream online from 20th December (until 5 January).
Other theatres who had to close their doors again included Bread and Roses, White Bear, Lion and Unicorn, Golden Goose, and The Garden Theatre.
Read our Interview with Directors of Old Red Lion Theatre on their family run theatres and pub, commenting on the current crises, here https://www.londonpubtheatres.com/old-red-lion/4593608549
ETPEP AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED BY FINBOROUGH
The Finborough Theatre has also announced the winner for the ETPEP Award 2020 is Julia Grogan with Playfight. Ms Grogan will receive a prize of £6,000 and a rehearsed reading which will be release an online in March 2021
The ETPEP Award 2020 is a playwriting prize for new UK playwrights who work or have worked in the theatre industry, run by the Finborough Theatre in association with the Experienced Theatre Practitioners Early Playwriting Trust (ETPEP). A full list of longlisted and shortlisted candidates for the ETPEP Award can be found here.
The ETPEP Award will return in 2021. Entries will open on January 1st and close on April 30th 2021. The main prize will again be £6,000 with nine longlist prizes of £300 each. For 2021, the winning play will also be published by Salamander Street, independent publisher of theatre, performance and live art. Details here.
The future of the Finborough Theatre is in danger and we need your support to continue producing excellent and unique theatre for another 40 years.
NOVEMBER 2020
BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE IN PENGE ANNOUNCES PERMANENT CLOSURE
Bridge House Theatre above the Bridge House Pub in Penge has announced that they have had to close the theatre permanently. Bridge House theatre was founded in 2013 by married couple, actress Rachel Tucker and director Guy Retallack, quickly gaining a local following. High production values and good relationships with local businesses and people were hallmarks of their success.
The team existed as a production company before running the venue and they will continue as an independent producing company in the future.
Artistic Director Guy Retallack said:
“2020 has brought real sadness, as well as thoughtful reflection, it is perhaps understandable that after seven glorious years, 30 shows, including 12 premieres, it is with great sadness that the Bridge House TheatreSE20, under the stewardship of Rob Harris and myself, has had to finally close its doors.”
However this is not the end, as one event is promised for Christmas … to be announced soon.
Artistic Producer Rob Harris said:
“I shall miss our own venue immensely … Working with Guy, Rachel, the actors, comedians, performers and tech crews has been a beautiful experience. 2020 has been a truly difficult year, but we will get through it and the Arts will survive ! We need to adapt and we will and look forward to your support - I can't wait to see you all again.”
The full report can be found on the Bridge House Theatre website Bridge House Theatre SE20 (bhtheatre.com)
Hope at Home is a 5-part online series of 15-minute monologues each exploring a single slice of life set at home. Each will be available free for one week but with audiences able to 'pay what you want' to encourage access and donations to help secure the future of the critically acclaimed pub theatre.
The plays commence with MY FATHER'S SHED (Henry Hudson) released on 23 November and finish with the Christmas show, 21 ROUND FOR CHRISTMAS (Matt Ballantyne & Toby Hampton) on 21 December. It also features one show that promises to answer one of greatest mysteries of life, WHERE THE SOCKS GO (Somebody Jones) on 30 November.
Hope at Home brings together 25-30 artists to create the films. The monologues will be launched via the theatre’s digital channels from Monday 23 November.
Kennedy Bloomer, the Artistic Director of the theatre since January 2020 said, “We’re so excited to share these stories online, and to be able to reach as many people as possible with our PAY WHAT YOU CAN initiative while our doors are closed. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the theatre in 2021.”
The full list of shows can be found here
Follow The Hope Theatre on Twitter here https://twitter.com/TheHopeTheatre
THEATRE503 ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF 2020 INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING AWARD
PRAVIN WILKINS is announced as the winner for THEATRE503 INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING AWARD for his play ‘Moreno’. Theatre503 announced the five finalists for their 2020 International Playwriting Award earlier this month selected from 1,719 scripts and from 45 countries. Winner Pravin Wilkins is a playwright, poet, and fiction writer from San Diego, California, whose works typically deal with race and class struggle.
He will receive £6,000 and a world premiere production at Theatre503 after a year’s support and development. In addition his play will be published by Samuel French Ltd. Former winners of the Award are Paul Murphy (Valhalla) and Bea Roberts (And Then Come The Nightjars) – joint winners in 2014, Andrew Thompson (In Event of Moone Disaster, 2016) and Danusia Samal (Out of Sorts, 2018).
Further details about the Award can be found of Theatre503
website.
THE LION & UNICORN THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW COLLABORATION WITH LONDON PLAYWRIGHTS
The Lion and Unicorn welcomes London Playwrights as an Associate Company for 2021 to support the next generation of writers.
In this new collaboration The Lion and Unicorn Theatre will provide a physical home in London for London Playwrights and their team and this partnership will open a number of opportunities for both parties to grow, develop, and champion new and established writing talent.
London Playwrights is a resource for emerging writers in London and beyond. Bringing together opportunities, resources, and advice. They also offer workshops and dramaturgical support, showcase new writing through live events, and provide a weekly round-up of the latest playwriting opportunities.
Kimberley Andrews, the co-founder and Director of London Playwrights said: “Joining the L&U will help us to take our work to the next level and support us in our quest to develop the next generation of playwrights, and we're really excited about the possibilities.”
The Lion & Unicorn Theatre is a 60 - seat black box theatre in the heart of Kentish Town, above the Lion & Unicorn Pub. Their other Associate Artists include Proforca Theatre Company, Bloom Theatre, Chalk Line, ChewBoy Productions, Fantastic Garlands, Far Cry Theatre Company, Fight or Flight Productions, Mad Wolf Theatre and Sycorax Collective.
Their mission remains to create a destination fringe theatre venue for London which offers a platform to new & emerging theatre artists, champion fringe theatre and allow people to #BeWhoYouWantToBe.
Read more on the Lion & Unicorn website https://www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com/blog/2020/11/7/the-lion-amp-unicorn-theatre-announces-new-collaboration-with-london-playwrights
THEATRE503 ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING AWARD
Theatre503 have announced the five finalists for their 2020 International Playwriting Award. The finalists, selected from 1,719 scripts and from 45 countries are:
TERP by Ayad Andrews
BOOK OF ESTHER by Gina Stevenson is a playwright and dramaturg.
MORENO by Pravin Wilkins
‘TIL DEATH DO US PART Safaa Benson-Effiom
FOR UNKNOWN REASONS by Zoe Ashford Cooper
The winner will receive £6,000 and a world premiere production at Theatre503 after a year’s support and development, with their play published by Samuel French Ltd, a Concord Theatricals company. They will follow Paul Murphy (Valhalla) and Bea Roberts (And Then Come The Nightjars) – joint winners in 2014, Andrew Thompson (In Event of Moone Disaster, 2016) and Danusia Samal (Out of Sorts, 2018).
Selected by a panel chaired by Erica Whyman the Award winner will be announced in a special online ceremony on Thursday 19 November.
Full details of the award and the Finalists can be found on Theatre503 website
https://theatre503.com/503studio/award2020/
NEW LOCKDOWN CLOSES THEATRES TO AUDIENCES BUT REHEARSALS AND LIVE STREAMING CAN GO AHEAD
The new Government measures for the lockdown 5 November - 2 December results in the closure of theatres for audiences however, rehearsals and other activities can go ahead. Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, has given clarification regarding this: "Arts venues are places of work, so people can come into them for work, if it cannot be undertaken from home. This includes rehearsals and performance. Audiences are not permitted."
Further information on the restrictions can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november
OCTOBER 2020
SEVEN PUB THEATRES RECEIVE LIFE-LINE GRANTS
Seven pub theatres have announced that they are recipients of Culture Recovery Funds following Arts Council England announcing details of the 1,385 organisations to receive funding.
With £500m in grants to be divided across all artforms, it was never going to be enough to support every organisation in need. It is a lifeline for some but leaves others in dire straits, affecting their staff, the artists they work with and the community they serve. It also affects the pubs in which they are housed.
The successful pub theatres include Old Red Lion Theatre, Bread and Roses, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, The Hope Theatre, King’s Head Theatre, Theatre503 and Finborough.
They each responded to their success with gratitude:
Old Red Lion were delighted to have some good news in the midst of these difficult times and are grateful to be receiving funding from the governments Culture Recovery Fund.
Bread and Roses are incredibly grateful to receive lifeline funding thanks to the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. They are now prepared to move forward with even more strength and creativity and to do everything they can to keep fringe theatre alive, diverse and exciting.
Upstairs at the Gatehouse said that after almost eight months of darkness there is now light at the end of their theatrical tunnel.
The Hope were thrilled to be receiving funding thanks to the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. While there is still a lot of work to do they can now plan to safely re-open in 2021.
King’s Head Theatre were delighted to announce their success. They are now planning and progressing with renewed optimism and look forward to welcoming everyone back to King’s Head as soon as it is safe to do so.
Theatre503 were relieved to be awarded a Cultural Recovery Fund grant to keep them going and build towards their future. They urge all the theatres who were successful to put the incredible freelance community at the heart of plans going forward.
The Finborough are very happy to announce they have been awarded a grant and although they are by no means out of the woods yet, it will go a long way towards securing their lasting future.
Whilst many pub theatres are still struggling, it is a very positive step forward for the successful applicants.
THE LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR AWARDS and the STANDING OVATION AWARDS were held on 18 October 2020. Despite so many pub theatres remaining closed the Award Panel decided to go ahead with the Awards because it is such a life affirming thing to do.
Designed to recognise and celebrate the achievements of London Pub Theatres, over seventy guests were present at the online ceremony. Twenty pub theatres were in the running for the major title of LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2020, along with three other awards and the inaugural STANDING OVATION AWARDS for the productions.
The major Award of LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2020 was awarded to Neil McPherson (Artistic Director) FINBOROUGH THEATRE. LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2020 RUNNERS-UP was awarded to
Michael Kingsbury (Artistic Director) WHITE BEAR THEATRE. The LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD was awarded to John and Katie Plews (Artistic director and Producer) at Upstairs at the Gatehouse and a COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO PUB THEATRES went to Tessa Hart (Joint Found and Executive Director), Rebecca Pryle (Founder and Executive Manager) and Velenzia Spearpoint (Artistic Director) at Bread and Roses Theatre
STANDING OVATION winners covered seven categories with BEST PRODUCTION being won by CHAPLIN BIRTH OF A TRAMP by Ross McGregor, Arrows and Traps Theatre at Brockley Jack Theatre. The Award for OUTSTANDING THEATRICALITY was awarded jointly to TRYST by Karoline Leach, in house production at Chiswick Playhouse and THE HOUSE OF YES by Wendy MacLeod, directed by Matthew Parker at The Hope Theatre.
The full list of winners is here
The Awards team is headed by actor of stage and screen Richard Braine. Other members of the Panel include Award winning playwright David Weir, Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine Heather Jeffery, Playwright Sian Rowland and Fleet Street journalist/playwright Kate Pettigrew.
Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine, Heather Jeffery said:
“So very proud of pub theatres. Some have already reopened, many have continued with their creativity, reaching out to audiences and to theatre makers. Many have succeeded in their funding bids, but many are still fund raising to survive. We decided these Awards must go ahead to recognise the wonderful achievements of pub theatres and the excellence of the shows that they programme.”
More information about the Awards can be found here
SEPTEMBER 2020
FINALISTS FOR LPT STANDING OVATION AWARDS ARE ANNOUNCED/20.09.2020
The Finalists for London Pub Theatres Standing Ovation Awards have been announced. The Awards are designed to reward exceptional achievement in the pub theatre environment and fall into several categories. These include Best Production, Best Adaptation, Best Transfer from outside London and Best Comedy. It also includes Awards for Innovation, Raising Awareness and Theatricality.
The Awards team led by Richard Braine is keen that the Awards should also be encouraging innovation, greater access, sustainability, diversity, under represented voices, taking risks and keeping alive our theatrical history.
Throughout the year nominations for the Standing Ovation Awards are announced on twitter. Only shows that LPT critics have seen can be considered for a nomination. Press releases requesting a reviewer can be emailed to the Editor, Heather Jeffery hjwrites@aol.com
The 2020 STANDING OVATION AWARD WINNERS will be announced on 18 October 2020
the full list of Finalists are announced here >
A BRAND NEW LONDON PUB THEATRE, THE GOLDEN GOOSE, OPENS OCTOBER 2020
The Golden Goose, which sits in the heart of Camberwell, close to the Oval opens its doors in October 2020 with fully Covid compliant safety measures. Founded by writer and director Michael Kingsbury who is Artistic Director of White Bear Theatre, the 80 seat theatre will be led by Georgia Leanne Harris.
Commenting on her new role as Artistic Director, Georgia Harris said:
“We are humbled and proud to be supporting artists and putting on work at this time. It's incredibly lucky to be able to offer opportunities, space and engagement at a time when some buildings have been forced to withdraw these things, and we hope we can be a small part of getting this wonderful industry back on its feet.”
The theatre will produce and programme new work from upcoming creatives and more established practitioners eager to forge new directions in their work. The aim is to become a welcoming creative hub for all artists in the theatre industry.
The theatre opens with a revival of Mark Lockyer’s one man show, LIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON, which has toured nationally and internationally since its premiere in 2016.
The full programme of events can be found on THE GOLDEN GOOSE website
https://www.goldengoosetheatre.co.uk/
AUGUST 2020
BRAND NEW PUB THEATRE OPENS IN CAMBRIDGE
A brand new pub theatre venue is coming to Market Passage, right in the heart of Cambridge, The Town and Gown Pub & Theatre. The former Arts Cinema site is being redeveloped into a bar and restaurant with an intimate fringe theatre space.
A programme of professional fringe theatre and in house productions awaits at the Town and Gown theatre. The theatre, opening in October, will feature touring fringe theatre, cabaret, new writing, musical theatre and a regular comedy night. The upcoming season includes BINGO AT TIFFANY'S WITH AUDREY HEARTBURN, THE GREATEST GIN MASTERCLASS WITH CAMBRIDGE GIN LAB and DRACULA! ONE BLOODY FANG AFTER ANOTHER amongst other shows.
The Town and Gown Theatre is the newest venture for Manager Karl Steele, after championing fringe theatre and small scale production at the Old Joint Stock Theatre in Birmingham. Karl commented: “We are thrilled and really proud to be opening a new venue during these difficult times rather than closing one. The hospitality and theatre industry is taking a massive punch at the moment and we are doing everything we can to reignite some movement in our industries”
The full programme of upcoming shows is on the Town and Gown website: www.townandgown.co.uk
BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE IS THE FIRST PUB THEATRE TO REOPEN
The Bread and Roses theatre in Clapham is the first pub theatre to reopen. The theatre opens its doors on 25 August with Integrity Theatre’s show F*ck Off. The play, about a middle-weight boxing champion, is running until 29 August with two shows a day. The theatre is operating with limited seating capacity with appropriate physical distancing and hygiene measures in place.
This news comes at the same time as the theatre is awarded a £10,000 grant from Lambeth Council under their Culture and Arts at Risk Funding package. The Bread and Roses building has long been a centre point for the Clapham Community with a long, rich history of union action and fundraising. The theatre takes its lead from those ideals by supporting diversity and providing opportunity for creative expression to find roots in the area.
The theatre will operate with an extremely limited capacity and plan to offer box office splits in larger favour towards the visiting companies in order to support them during this time. Therefore, they are continuing with their fund raising which includes some imaginative incentives for their supporters.
Book Tickets Here https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/whats-on.html
Full programme of shows can be viewed here
Donate Now https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/donations.html
Chiswick Playhouse has announced the launch of B.U School to commence in September 2020 (using strict Government guidelines for safety). These Saturday morning classes are for children to have fun, make friends and develop new skills.
B.U School offers more than a typical stage school. Each week children will get involved with a new activity to include skills such as sketch comedy, improvisation, public speaking, acting on screen, learning new accents or even delivering their very own podcast!
Organisers said:
“Whilst busy getting involved in all these activities, children will be learning and developing. They will come away from B.U School having had a great time and also with communication skills that they will be able to use for the rest of their lives. Self-Awareness, Self-Confidence and Well-Being is central to everything we do.”
For any parents worried about safety, Theatre & technical manager Sophie Kohl said:
“We will be adhering to all Covid-19 Government guidelines as they evolve and will keep all parents / guardians updated. If you do have any concerns please do email me and I will be happy to answer any questions.”
BU School is currently for children aged 5-11. Classes run on Saturday Mornings 10am – 11.30am (5-7yrs) and 12.00pm – 1.30pm (8-11yrs) at Chiswick Playhouse.
More information can be found by visiting the website: www.chiswickplayhouse.co.uk (Limited places available.)
If you would like to sign up or have any questions please contact Sophie, the Theatre and Technical Manager at sophie@chiswickplayhouse.co.uk
Unrestricted View, the production company who manage The Hen and Chickens Theatre, have released their short film FINAL CURTAIN to help raise funds for the theatre.
The FINAL CURTAIN story is about a famous director putting on a play and starring in it with his co-actor. It has the tag line ‘Oliver and Reece are putting on a play … No one will come’. It is particularly apt right now and is highly recommended for theatre lovers who want a real belly laugh. Although free to view, it is asked that if you enjoy the film, please donate or pay what you can to help save The Hen and Chickens Theatre.
This comedy film, which features Artistic Director of Hen and Chickens Theatre, James Wren as Oliver, was written and filmed in early summer 2019, before the pandemic. However, its themes resonate with the current crisis that theatres are facing and are particularly poignant right now. It is likely to be enjoyed by theatre industry people and theatre lovers everywhere.
The film was made on a low budget, with a skeleton crew and appropriately filmed in the Hen and Chickens Theatre, in truly Guerrilla film making style. It recently featured in the Unrestricted View Film Festival which is normally held at The Hen and Chickens Theatre and other venues. This year the festival was online.
The crew consists of James Wren (Actor/Producer) Fergus March (Director/Producer) Adam Woollard (Actor/Writer) Theo Marlow (Camera/Lighting) and Louie Bayliss (Sound/Producer).
James Wren comments:
“The film itself happened very quickly after Fergus, Adam and myself met up and got quite drunk. We were moaning about the time it takes to get a film project together. A few pints in and filled with bravado we decided to just write a film and shoot in The Hen & Chickens Theatre in a couple of weeks time. Adam actually went home that night and wrote the script. It was impressive enough that he managed to get home after that session let alone write a whole script... And it was a really good script. Within in a couple of weeks we were in the theatre and shot the film in two days.”
“It is quite spooky how relevant the film has become, I was speaking to Fergus last week about this and we decided that the only obvious explanation for this, is that if you put enough beer into Adam, he can see the future.”
Watch the film on Vimeo here:
Password: final123curtain
Donate/Pay What You Can here https://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/donate-to-the-hen-chickens-theatre/
If you can't get enough of this film, take a look at the discussion between the film makers here https://vimeo.com/431594611
KING’S HEAD THEATRE’S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN AFTER A DECADE
21 July 2020
Image: Adam Spreadbury-Maher with Fiona English (Executive Director)
Adam Spreadbury-Maher, Artistic Director of the King’s Head Theatre, Islington will step down from his post this September after a decade of service.
In his role as Artistic Director, the Australian-born former opera singer introduced the first agreement with Equity for actors and stage managers to be paid a legal wage on the Fringe in 2011 and has been a vocal spokesperson for ethical employment. During his tenure, he has put on over 1,000 performances and as co-founder of OperaUpClose, introduced new audiences to the art form. Adam is a queer theatre-maker who has also long championed new work and revivals by and about the LGBTQIA+ community, for which the King's Head Theatre serves as an important hub.
Whilst recruitment takes place for a new Artistic Director, programming will be overseen by King's Head Theatre Trustee, Heather Ruck (former Programme Director, Assembly Festival) working alongside the staff team, led by Fiona English (Executive Director).
Adam Spreadbury-Maher says: “It has been an enormous privilege and honour to lead the theatre for 10 years … While the challenges of COVID-19 cannot be underestimated, the theatre’s move to a custom-built venue is still set to go ahead, bringing exciting new opportunities and the prospect of economic security. The world needs the King’s Head Theatre now more than ever. I will follow the much beloved theatre from a distance … as I explore new challenges across Europe. I would like to thank the audiences, artists, staff and our wonderful Board of Trustees from the past decade. I’ve had the ride of a lifetime”.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the King's Head Theatre, like most live venues, has had to fundraise to stay afloat. They have successfully raised £135,000 in a crowdfunding campaign fronted by actor/writers Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard. This includes a £35,000 grant from Arts Council England, yet the majority of funds have come from over 950 loyal theatregoers: a testament to the relationship between the theatre and its community.
The King's Head Theatre in Islington has provided a stepping-stone for many of Britain’s most influential contemporary artists, feeding talent into the West End and beyond, with alumni including Joanna Lumley, Katie Mitchell, Tom Stoppard, Hugh Grant, Dawn French, Steven Berkoff and Alan Rickman.
In 2019, the King's Head Theatre won Best Pub Theatre at the inaugural London Pub Theatre Awards.
The full statement is available to read on the King’s Head Theatre website