LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE celebrates ten years of pub theatres, an affectionate look back at the major events, the theatres and the people.  Click  here for 2015 - 2020. See below for 2021 - 2025

2021

THEATRES REOPEN

May 18 2021, theatres finally reopened after 14 months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, our very own plague. Fortunately, we have jabs and a roadmap out of lockdown. However, the past 14 months have changed everything. Theatres are now open with a majorly reduced audience capacity amid stringent safety precautions including social distancing, temperature checks, use of Track & Trace, sanitisers and face masks.

LPT - a little cheer in bleak times

When LPT reviewer and celebrated actor RICHARD BRAINE  was asked what it is like for actors to perform now when a full house is going to be far smaller than normal, he responded with some cheerful anecdotes:   



“On the whole I don't think actors mind if the audience is small or enormous.

However, I was doing a two-hander about gardening on the Edinburgh Fringe some years ago. The audience consisted of David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and a dog. The piece had a lot of audience participation. Skinner and Baddiel seemed to find the piece lacking in humour whereas the dog found it hilarious, judging by his delightful barking throughout. It was one of the longest hours I have ever spent in the theatre.

It was at this 'Edinburgh' that I went to see a one person show about a woman dying. I was the only one in the audience. The actor beckoned me to join her on stage and sit beside her hospital bed. She then proceeded to do the whole show directly for me. Including her dying at the end. I closed her eyes.

Going from one extreme..... I performed in The 39 Steps at the Bradford Alhambra. There were four actors. The theatre was full, so was over 2,000 people strong. During the show a member of the audience jumped on to the stage. The theatre thought it was all part of the show. The audience member wouldn't go back so followed us around for the rest of the show. The whole thing got sillier and sillier until we all collapsed in laughter. What anyone made of the whole piece I’ll never know. What John Buchan would have made of it?

So, on the whole, I think actors will be delighted just to have the chance to act again. No matter how many is in the audience. As long as someone is listening to their story they'll be delighted - even if it is a dog.”

AROUND THE THEATRES

Kennedy Bloomer steps down as Artistic Director at THE HOPE THEATRE. Phil Bartlett is announced as new Artistic Director.

Sharon Willems becomes Artistic Director of BARONS COURT THEATRE at the end of 2021, succeeding Ron Phillips who held the post since the founding of the theatre in 1991. She is joined in her appointment by new Executive Director Leo Bacica. The pair run independent theatre company Kibo Productions.  The Barons Court Theatre was founded in 1991 by Ron Phillips (Artistic Director) and Christian Deal (Executive director).

Laura Killeen becomes Artistic Director of ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE in September 2021 (see notable achievements below).

THE BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE in Penge, relaunches under the new Artistic Directorship of Luke Adamson and his team. Bridge House theatre was founded in 2013 by married couple, actress Rachel Tucker and director Guy Retallack. The Bridge House Theatre was under the stewardship of Guy Retallack, Rachel Tucker and Rob Harris until 2019. 

Mark Ravenhill and Hannah Price are announced as incoming Artistic Directors at the KING'S HEAD THEATRE

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Independent pub theatres struggle back to life, kudos to all in such challenging times.  Notably THE HEN AND CHICKENS has a triumphant reopening after months of uncertainty at this theatre and film venue.  Artistic Director James Wren  explains that they were seriously considering the possibility of permanent closure after sixteen months of lock down.  Along with other independent theatres they found that they weren’t eligible to apply for government grants. “Things like bounce back loans give you a year’s grace to pay it off,” explains James, "but we didn’t know if in a year there would be another lockdown."  Social distancing measures would not have worked in this theatre.  “Two metres in here is about eight people,” laughs James.  At the eleventh hour they were rescued. “We got something from Islington council in June” explains James.  Now it’s back to full capacity, the pub is often crowded with groups of friends, theatre patrons and companies winding-down post show. 

At ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE Laura Killeen is proud to be announced as the fifth woman to direct the Rosemary Branch Theatre. She follows Cecilia Darker and Cleo Sylvestre who were joint Artistic Directors for 20 years (1996 - 2016) and Genevieve Taricco and Scarlett Plouviez Comnas who took over in 2016. In honour of this extraordinary achievement Killeen opened the theatre with a season celebrating 25 years of female leadership with women led creatives and companies. 

AWARDS

LPT of the Year Awards highlighted the resilience and hard work of the pub theatre community during the pandemic and the return to live performances. 

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2021  is awarded to Lisa Spirling  and Andrew Shepherd at THEATRE503.  Theatre503 is well known as a International centre of excellence for new writing with excellent writing courses and global links. There are several different routes to getting a play produced at Theatre503 via: unsolicited scripts which are read all the year round, Theatre503 International Playwriting Award and they also have the 503Five writers residency.  They recently won a funding bid to open 503Studio  – a new 320 square metre, state-of-the art studio space in Nine Elms, Wandsworth which aims to be a centre of excellence for early career playwrights.

RUNNER-UP LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR is awarded to James Wren and Felicity Wren  at The Hen and Chickens Theatre (see above under notable achievements)

COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO PUB THEATRES is awarded to David Brady  at THE LION AND UNICORN THEATRE.   With the strap line 'BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE', there is a genuine belief that all things are possible and dreams do come true. David Brady is one of those people who is passionate about making it happen.

AWARD WINNING PRODUCTIONS

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

A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER by Marie Jones/ Soda Bread Theatre at Chiswick Playhouse    

VILLAGE WOOING by George Bernard Shaw, SHAW2020 Theatre Company at Etcetera Theatre

WOLVES ARE COMING FOR YOU by Joel Horwood at The Jack Studio Theatre

TETHERED by Georgie Bailey, ChewBoy Productions at Lion and Unicorn Theatre

ALL THAT by Shaun Kitchner, directed by James Callàs Ball at The Kings Head Theatre 

BORROWED TIME by Garth Oates, Flat A Creative at Hen and Chickens Theatre

A RAT, A RAT by Chloe Yates at Golden Goose Theatre, Finalist - Rose Reade   

THE NOBODIES by Amy Guyler, Chalk Line Theatre at Lion & Unicorn Theatre Finalists: David Angland, Joseph Reed, Lucy Simpson

MARY & MIETEK Burning Pages & Katla Theatre Company at The Hen & Chickens Theatre

SPECIAL AWARD FOR THEATRE ONLINE    

LATE NIGHT STARING AT HIGH RES PIXELS by Athena Stevens, Finborough

Image from right to left: Producer Sarah Lawrie, writer/performer Athena Stevens

2022

AROUND THE THEATRES

Mark Ravenhill and Hannah Price step down as Artistic Directors at the KING'S HEAD THEATRE,  ahead of historic move to Islington Square (scheduled for 2023). 

Finborough Theatre announces #FinboroughFrontier to continue its online work under a new name. Curated by Artistic Director Neil McPherson and Playwright-in-Residence Athena Stevens. All the online content remains – as it was throughout lockdown – entirely free to view, and is also available in a subtitled version. It includes the ongoing #VoicesFromUkraine series.

Collette Cooper has an unprecedented three month residency at OLD RED LION THEATRE with her solo show TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY

Emily Keeble steps down from running ETCETERA THEATRE. Otto Jäger takes over the management of ETECETA THEATRE having worked at the theatre since 2017 as senior theatre technician. 

TESSA HART, steps down as Executive Director of BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE (which she co-founded in 2014). Tessa Hart said: "Co-Founding this theatre, serving as its Co-Director, growing with this project for about a decade, has been a life-changing and life-shaping journey."

FESTIVALS

BARONS COURT THEATRE (under management of KIBO Productions) announces REBOOT FESTIVAL  Over three weeks the festival features 6 short plays from experienced and emerging writers.

LPT AWARDS

Award winners are announced at a live ceremony at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate (in October).

PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2022

Neil McPherson and team at the FINBOROUGH THEATRE

RUNNER-UP - PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2022 - read story below

Helen, Damien and Róisín Devine at OLD RED LION THEATRE

CANAL CAFÉ THEATRE WINS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for their Guinness World Record-Breaking NewsRevue (story below)

Michael Kingsbury, Artistic Director at White Bear Theatre is awarded a COMMENDATION for OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PUB THEATRES. Member of the Awards team, Chris Lilly said: "Michael Kingsbury is a living embodiment of the concept 'man of theatre'. Actor, director, producer, teacher - in a word, essential...".   Kingsbury is Time Out and Peter Brook Award-winning writer and director, and he is also an actor of stage and screen.

THE PRODUCTIONS

YES SO I SAID YES by David Ireland / 19th Street Productions at Finborough Theatre

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE/Ovation Productions/Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate

BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/Salt Lick Productions at Finborough Theatre

TIL DEATH DO US PART by Safaa Benson-Effiom at Theatre503

Collette Cooper for TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY at Old Red Lion Theatre

HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES and PAYNE: THE STARS ARE FIRE by Ross McGregor / Arrows & Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre

Nellie Bly’s TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE adapted by Douglas Baker, So It Goes at Jack Studio Theatre

GAME NIGHT by Ear to Ear Productions/at The Hen and Chickens Theatre

CELL OUTS by Glasshouse Theatre at King’s Head Theatre

Siobhan Redmond for THE STRAW CHAIR by Sue Glover at Finborough Theatre

Ossian Perret, Joseph Potter, Charlie MacCechan, Denise Laniyan for THE DWARFS (Harold Pinter adaptation) Flying Colours Productions at White Bear Theatre

Corey Montague-Sholay and William Robinson for BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/Salt Lick Productions at Finborough Theatre

Laurel Marks playing Cecilia Payne in HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES by Ross McGregor / Arrows and Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre

TELL ME STRAIGHT by Paul Bradshaw at Chiswick Playhouse

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

The pubs also had a major struggle during and following the pandemic. The Devine family, owners of THE OLD RED LION since 2002, are notable for their commitment to theatre.  Executive Director Damien Devine is landlord. Róisín Devine and Helen Devine are Associate Director/Consulting Producer. Damien's niece Helen Devine, who was Artistic Director between 2004-2010, took on the leadership once again, over the period of the pandemic and the following year, until the theatre recovered.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.

CANAL CAFÉ THEATRE WINS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for their Guinness World Record-Breaking NewsRevue which plays 4 nights a week to much critical acclaim. It 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 in October 2022). This award is made in his honour and to Emma Taylor who has been Producer of NewsRevue since 2001.

Images: (Above) Five Guys Named Moe at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, winner of MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION (LPT Awards) directed by John Plews

(Below) Emma Taylor accepting the award for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT for NEWSREVUE at CANAL CAFE THEATRE founded by Professor Hodd, who passed away this year.

2023

AROUND THE THEATRES

Georgia Harris steps down as Artistic Director of Golden Goose Theatre

Artistic Director John Plews and Producer Katie Plews (Ovation) announce that they will be stepping down at UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE at the end of February 2023. Their current theatre manager, Annlouise Butt and her partner Isaac Bernier-Doyle, with their company, Chromolume Theatre,  will manage the venue. John and Katie Plews continue as leaseholders.

OBITUARY: FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BARONS COURT THEATRE, RON PHILLIPS

Ron Phillips 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.

FINBOROUGH THEATRE CONTINUES TO OFFER ARTISTIC SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

Through its #VoicesFromUkraine series, the Finborough Theatre made a stand in artistic solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Artistic Director Neil McPherson said: "We are committed to raising public awareness of the invasion for as long as the war continues".

BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE TOUR PANTO IN THE PUBS 

The Bridge House Theatre team joined up with Fuller’s to tour PANTO IN THE PUB at Easter, delighting audiences with their performance of MOTHER GOOSE – an Easter-themed pantomime for all the family. The colourful extravaganza was hosted by 12 Fuller’s pubs, from London to Liphook.

WHITE BEAR THEATRE SHOWS TRANSFER TO WEST END / TOUR DURING 2023

Three shows which opened at WHITE BEAR THEATRE, went on to larger theatres and to number one tours in 2023: DOM directed by Michael Kingsbury (Theatre Royal and The Other Palace Studio); JUMPING THE SHARK by David Kantor & Michael Kingsbury (tour, including 1100 seat Orchard Theatre and 1400 seat Queens Theatre) and I FOUND MY HORN (Riverside Studios). The first two shows are notable for being premieres as it’s extremely rare for new writing to go on tour or get to the West End.

ETCETERA THEATRE IN CAMDEN UNDER THREAT OF CLOSURE

The cost-of-living crisis with bills and rent increase put one pub theatre in danger of closure by the end of the year. Following a campaign highlighting the crisis, with a newly redeveloped website and an exceptional outreach programme, Etcetera is continuing to recover. As an independent venue, Etcetera offers an open booking policy to emerging artists, helping them on their journeys, with accessible rates and a theatre platform in an ever more gentrified London. Since its foundation in 1986, this award-winning theatre has become one of the milestone venues of the London fringe circuit. 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 announced the closure of their pub theatre home of 53 years on 13 August 2023. The theatre will reopen at the custom-built new theatre immediately behind the existing venue in Islington Square, January 2024. The new venue has a 200-seat auditorium and a 50-seat cabaret space.  A tribute to the former Artistic Directors of the theatre was made, praising Dan Crawford (founder), Stephanie Crawford, Adam Spreadbury-Maher and Mark Ravenhill who were integral to the theatre’s reputation as a breeding ground of new talent. The theatre helped to 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.

FESTIVALS

ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE OPENS A NEW WOMEN-LED CLOWNING FESTIVAL CELEBRATING WOMEN

A brand new festival of women, LOOK FOR THE WOMAN, opens in March at the Islington pub theatre, fondly known as the Rosie. Held in honour of International Women's Day (8 March), it focuses on some of the best woman-led clowning and comedy to interrogate and explore all things femme and female.

17th CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW VENUES

Camden Fringe began at Etcetera Theatre in 2004.   The festival has since expanded to include ten pub theatres, hosting new and experimental theatre and comedy performances by emerging artists across North London.  Theatres include The Hen and Chickens, Canal Cafe, Lion and Unicorn, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Rosemary Branch and The Hope amongst others.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Otto Jäger and Matin Donelly win RUNNER-UP AWARD FOR PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR at ETCETERA THEATRE for taking on the management of the theatre along with thousands of pounds of debt (last year). Otto Jäger turns around the fortunes by offering many opportunities to theatre makers and improving the footfall to the theatre, the theatre is saved for future generations.

OVATION PRODUCTIONS, established by John and Katy Plews, ran the GATEHOUSE THEATRE 1998 - 2023 very often to packed house and winning many awards including:

Five Guys Named Moe BEST PRODUCTION 2022 (London Pub Theatre Awards)

Five Guys Named Moe, DIRECTOR (MUSICALS) Mykal Rand 2022 (Off West End Awards)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2020 John and Katie Plews (London Pub Theatres Awards),

Top Hat BEST CHOREOGRAPHER 2018 Chris Whittaker (Off West End Awards)

Avenue Q BEST OFF WEST END PRODUCTION 2014 (Mousetrap Awards)

LONDON FRINGE PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR 2013 (West End Frame Awards)

Goodnight Mrs Calabash BEST COSTUME DESIGN 2012 Kingsley Hall (West End Frame Awards)

BEST THEATRICAL TEAM 2011 (Fringe Report)

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING SHOW ‘BACON’, WHICH PREMIERIED AT THE FINBOROUGH, COMPLETES A MAJOR TOUR.

BACON by Sophie Swithinbank which premiered at Finborough Theatre toured London, Edinburgh & Bristol during the summer before transferring to Off Broadway. Winner of the Tony Craze Award and three Off-West End Awards, it also garnered two London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Awards in 2022 for best production (premiere) and duologue (actors Corey Montague-Sholay and William Robinson). The tour was presented by HFH Productions.

EDMUND DEHN receives ACTORS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT for his excellent as an actor and his recent starring role in LEAR ALONE at Golden Goose Theatre and Edinburgh fringe - the play was dedicated to raising funds for the homeless in partnership with CRISIS UK. In addition Edmund has been involved with more Finborough Theatre productions more than any other actor and starred in their first ever show, Joe, in 1980, along with June Abbott and David Purcell. He has also appeared in many other pub theatres including the Hope Theatre and Barons Court. His most recent roles were as Thomas Hardy in 'What I Really Think of My Husband' at Golden Goose Theatre (2023), Power Luncheon as Churchill at The Hope (2022). 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.

Images: (Above)Edmund Dehn winner of Actors Award for Lifetime Achievement (LPTAwards)

(Centre) BACON by Sophie Swithinbank which premiered at Finborough Theatre, embarks on two major tours.

(Below) Artistic Director KATE BANNISTER & Theatre Manager KARL SWINYARD accepting LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Image: Celebrating 25 year at THE HEN AND CHICKENS THEATRE, joint Artistic Directors James Wren and Felicity Wren and Theatre Manager Mark Lyminster



LPT MAGAZINE

LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE becomes an OFFIE AWARD WINNING PUBLICATION  A ONEOFF Special Award is 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".

ROBERT BATHURST ANNOUNCED AS PATRON OF LONDON PUB THEATRES  Following receiving his award as Best Actor for his role in JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL by Keith Waterhouse at the London Pub Theatres Awards 2024, ROBERT BATHURST kindly agreed to become Patron of London Pub theatres for the next year. Mr Bathurst said "I would of course be happy to champion your organisation and the vibrant, disparate pub theatre scene and its place in the profession, though I don’t claim a wide knowledge of what’s going on. I guess I’d learn more by reading the magazine!" Currently filming for his role as a surgeon in medical programme, CASUALTY, Bathurst is probably best known for his role in ITV comedy drama COLD FEET, which ran for nine series (opening 1998 and closing 2020). Robert’s numerous West End and touring theatre productions include classics and modern works.

AROUND THE THEATRES

New dining pub theatre THE STAGE DOOR opens in the West End.   Robert McWhir is appointed Artistic Director of new 200 seat West End pub theatre venue above the Prince of Wales pub on Drury Lane.  McWhir 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. The new pop-up fringe dinner-theatre venue is to be managed by award winning Lambco Productions and is designed to be somewhere to meet friends for drinks, dinner and a show. A one-stop shop for a welcoming night out.

UNRESTRICTED VIEW CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AT THE HEN AND CHICKENS THEATRE  Unrestricted View, the London theatre company dedicated to fostering bold new writing and comedy, proudly celebrate its 25th anniversary at the helm of the Hen & Chickens Theatre in May 2024. 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.

Unrestricted View's journey began in 1997, a love story intertwined with artistic passion. Read the full story in LPT interview with James Wren here

Phil Bartlett STEPS DOWN AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE HOPE THEATRE

THE HOPE & ANCHOR ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTORS OF THE HOPE THEATRE Laurel Marks and Toby Hampton as the new Artistic Directors of The Hope Theatre.

Laurel Marks is an award-winning theatre maker who has expertise in almost every aspect of the theatre industry.

Toby Hampton is an award nominated director, writer and producer and a local to the North London area. Aside from his work at The Hope, Toby has been producing and directing which most recently includes a run of his 21 Round For Christmas, co-written with Matt Ballantyne at Park Theatre.

Read the full story in LPT interview with Laurel and Toby here

BOX OFFICE FAVOURITE RETURNS TO GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE following an international tour Award winning ANIMAL FARM returns to GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE in Camberwell after an International tour, part of a GEORGE ORWELL DOUBLE BILL with 1984. Paul Stebbings won LPT Standing Ovation Award for best adaptation for George Orwell's Animal Farm (in 2023).

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, TRANSFERS TO SHANGHAI FROM UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE, in Highgate  Based on The Comic Strip by Charles M. Schulz with Book, Music, & Lyrics by Clark Gesner, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN had a five star run at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate. Producers Chromolume partnered with Shanghai theatre school and producers iMusical to bring this iconic and heartwarming show to a whole new audience in August.

OBITUARY: CLEO SYLVESTRE

CLEO SYLVESTRE, trailblazing Director at Rosemary Branch Theatre for 20 years, her career spanned theatre and television and she graced many stages as a wonderful blues singer.

Born and educated in Camden (b.1945), Cleo Sylvestre MBE was the first black woman ever to play a leading role at the National Theatre and to have a regular leading role in a UK soap opera, Crossroads. Sylvestre appeared in many TV series including Grange Hill, Channel 5 reboot of All Creatures Great and Small, Till Death Do Us Part, Doctors, Coronation Street, The Bill, New Tricks and Doctor Who, as well as a regular role in school drama Grange Hill.

In 1996 Cleo Sylvestre, along with Cecilia Darker, became joint Artistic Director of Rosemary Branch theatre which continued for 20 years. Her legacy continues today with Genevieve Taricco and Scarlett Plouviez Comnas taking over as joint Artistic Directors in 2016, followed by Laura Killeen taking over in 2021.

FESTIVALS

Storytelling festival opens at ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE

Folklore, illustration, local stories, modern classics, community events, poetry and live music came together at The Rosemary Branch for their first ever Gather Together Storytelling Festival, 18 Jan - 4 Feb. Highlights included: Chris Riddell live-illustrating a performance; new work from multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed storytellers; Cleo Sylvestre MBE telling her life story with live music and free community workshops. The theatre, affectionately known as Rosie B also gave opportunities for everyone to share their local stories, to be audio recorded and archived by Islington Museum as a resource for generations to come. 

REBOOT FESTIVAL returns to BARONS COURT THEATRE for fourth year 3 - 21 September

London’s biggest short plays festival returned for its fourth edition over three weeks. The festival, run by Kibo productions, led by Directors Sharon Willems and Leo Bacica, is a platform for emerging writers and a gateway for international writers onto the London scene. With no financial cost to those taking part it provides an amazingly large number of creatives and actors to stage work without any financial risk.

A NEW FESTIVAL opens in South East London to promote and celebrate NEW WRITING 3 - 14 September

The SEFest is a new festival hosted by Brockley Jack Theatre in Crofton Park and Bridge House Theatre in Penge, two award-winning theatres with a reputation for supporting and presenting new work. The festival programmed 24 performances, giving companies the unique opportunity to perform at both venues during the festival fortnight.

BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE inaugural LAMBETH FRINGE FESTIVAL opens 19 Sept - 20 Oct

Building on the success of last year’s 8th critically acclaimed incarnation of the Clapham Fringe, The Bread and Roses Theatre announced a dynamic rebranding and expansion of its flagship festival. This included an expansion to twenty three venues including: Bread & Roses Theatre, Golden Goose Theatre and White Bear Theatre hosting Performance, Works In Progress and more. Other entertainment on offer included drag at The Two Brewers, independent film screenings at Central Film School, gaming at Badger Badger, and jazz nights at Mondo Tap.  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 Guardian on the Bread and Roses: "A new wave of venues has opened in recent years, all on the sweetheart deals of old.”

VOILA! THEATRE FESTIVAL EXPANDS TO INCLUDE PUB THEATRE VENUES 

VOILA! THEATRE FESTIVAL RETURNS. After celebrating 10 years at The Cockpit the team took a short break last year in order to relaunch with a new festival model. Joining forces with a host of new venues including pub theatres Upstairs at the Gatehouse and Barons Court Theatre to showcase even more panlingual theatre across London in November! Voila! Theatre Festival is a place for artists to create, to connect, and to celebrate collaboration. The festival supports 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. The festival is produced by The Cockpit and expanded thanks to support from Arts Council England.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

BARONS COURT THEATRE SAVED FROM CLOSURE

The theatre seats, which have welcomed thousands of audience members over the years, were worn out and in urgent need of replacement. The council mandated that the seats and risers must be replaced by October 31, 2024. Without this essential upgrade the pub theatre may have to close its doors for good. With just two months to go to raise £23,802 theatre directors Sharon Willems and Leo Basica knew that the cost of the renovation was far beyond their financial resources. Fortunately the council stepped in to offer match funding and thanks to the generosity of the community, they raised the amount needed securing the future of Barons Court Theatre. The theatre tweeted "We honestly cannot thank everyone enough for supporting us. Three months ago, staying open felt impossible. But now, we will have the time and resources to update our space so we can continue to be a home for artists and our community for years to come." 

AWARDS

PUB THEATRES WIN AT OFF WEST END AWARDS

The OFFIES AWARDS 2024, were held at the Woolwich Works 25 February. Designed to celebrate the best of independent, alternative and fringe theatre across Greater London and selected fringe festivals around the UK. 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.

The PRODUCER AWARD was presented to Open Bar Theatre for their innovative open air productions in partnership with Fuller's Brewery.

SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE in a play went to Thomas Judd for Sense & Sensibility / produced by Open Bar Theatre at Fuller's pub gardens. 

PEOPLE’S VOTE AWARD for PROGRAMMES went to BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE in Penge

OFF FEST AWARD for Camden Fringe Festival went to Scavengers by Bryan Oliver (Urban Wolves Theatre Company) at ETCETERA THEATRE

WINNERS OF THE BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE 2024 PLAYWRITING AWARD ANNOUNCED 

Two winners have been announced: Erin Holland for The Queen of Quex Road and Owen Lloyd Richards for Kid Sister. The plays were chosen from over 680 submissions. The Bread & Roses Playwriting Award is a competition for full length theatre plays that have not previously been produced or published and feature at least half of female, non-binary or gender neutral roles by UK and Europe based writers. The winners receive a professional production at The Bread & Roses Theatre, 10 percent of box office takings, publication of their plays and the Royalties from all sales. 

LPT AWARDS

The sixth London Pub Theatre's Awards celebrating achievements in London Pub Theatres are held at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate.

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR is awarded to THE HEN AND CHICKENS THEATRE Artistic Directors, James Wren & Felicity Wren and theatre manager Mark Lyminster. For 25 years, the Hen and Chickens Theatre has been nurturing artists and finding new talent. Run by three actors for actors, it is fun, inspiring, well known for friendliness, atmosphere and good times. The Intimate black box theatre is also home to indie film festivals.

RUNNER UP FOR PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR is awarded to David Brady, PROFORÇA Theatre Company at LION AND UNICORN THEATRE for excellent programming.

COMMENDATION for EXCELLENCE  is AWARDED for the brilliant teamwork of Producer Richard Lambert, Director Robert McWhir and Musical Director Aaron Clingham at STAGE DOOR THEATRE

COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO NEW WRITING  is awarded to   Artistic Director Sharon Willems and Company Manager Leo Bacica, KIBO PRODUCTIONS at BARONS COURT THEATRE

BEST ACTOR is  awarded to Robert Bathurst for his virtuoso solo turn in JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL at Coach and Horses, Soho. Robert Bathurst, has been a staple of British stage and screen since the early 1980s, perhaps most famously in the TV series Cold Feet.

NOTABLE PRODUCTIONS

FOAM by Harry McDonald at Finborough Theatre

Robert Bathurst as Jeffrey in JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL by Keith Waterhouse at Coach and Horses, Soho 

EUCHARIST Springbok Production House at Etcetera Theatre 

KNOCKING ON THE WALL by Ena Lamont Stewart at Finborough Theatre 

THE GENTLEMAN OF SHALOTT by Gareth Watkins at The hope Theatre

A WOMAN WALKS INTO A BANK by Roxy Cook at Theatre503

PAST TENTS by Seth Jones and David J. Keogh at White Bear Theatre, Jack Studio Theatre and Golden Goose Theatre

THE WORDS ARE THERE by Ronan Dempsey at The Hope Theatre 

Matthew Parker and Bryan Pilkington for OH NO IT ISN’T by Luke Adamson at Jack Studio Theatre 

HOW DID I GET HERE? By Helen Squires at The Bread & Roses Theatre

THE GIRL IN THE GREEN ROOM by Luke Adamson at Bridge House Theatre

HER SHOES Writer and Performed by Megan Marszal at Old Red Lion Theatre

Jenny Eastop for DRESSING GOWN by Andrew Cartmel at Theatre at the Tabard

THE TEMPEST and CONSTELLATIONS by Nick Payne, BURNT ORANGE THEATRE FOR THEIR NEW YOUTH REPERTORY THEATRE both at Drayton Arms Theatre

2025

Image: Editor Heather Jeffery, celebrating 10 year of London Pub Theatres Magazine

LPT MAGAZINE

LPT magazine celebrates it 10th anniversary with a Gala at White Bear Theatre and Tables Turned (a rehearsed reading of LPT Reviewer's plays) at Drayton Arms Theatres.

AROUND THE THEATRES

Lisa Spirling, Artistic Director at THEATRE503, steps down to join Stratford East as its new Artistic Director and joint CEO.

Lisa has been Artistic Director and CEO of new writing powerhouse Theatre503 since 2016. During her tenure, this small but mighty space above the Latchmere pub in Battersea has staged the work of more first-time writers than any other theatre in the country. In 2023, Lisa was included in The Stage 100 for her impact at Theatre503. Recent accolades for Theatre503 include: an Olivier Award for Jon Brittain’s Rotterdam; a nomination for The Stage Award for Fringe Theatre of the Year; winning London Pub Theatre of the Year; numerous Off West End Theatre Awards (Offies); and in 2019, two of the four Evening Standard Theatre Awards for Most Promising Playwright nominees were Theatre503 writers. 

FESTIVALS

The Hope Theatre announces WRITE CLUB, a new annual writing festival. This Festival of new work highlights bold new stories with BIG ideas and is open to anyone with a piece of writing just waiting for that debut performance or a theatre maker with a new idea.

AWARD

AROUND THE THEATRES

ETCETERA THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS FOURTH SEASON OF THE INDIE ARTS FESTIVAL 

DRAYTON ARMS THEATRE ANNOUNCES A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS, COURSES & PANELS FOR THEATRE CREATIVES 

GATHER TOGETHER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL RETURNS TO ROSEMARY BRANCH Greek myth, local stories, live music, true life, comedy, free community events and stories without words converge this winter at The Rosemary Branch Theatre for the third annual Gather Together Storytelling Festival.

FESTIVALS

The Hope Theatre Announces NORTH SAPPH-FEST - A Bold New Festival Celebrating Queer Women & Non-Binary Voices.

Old Red Lion Theatre announces SHAKEFEST 2025, inaugural festival celebrating & reimagining the work of William Shakespeare. 

The festival takes place under the banner of the Camden Fringe Festival between

THEATRE503 ANNOUNCES ANTHONY SIMPSON-PIKE’S INAUGURAL SEASON AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Theatre503 announces its first season programmed under the new creative leadership of Artistic Director Anthony Simpson-Pike and Executive Director Emily Carewe. Running until early 2027, this bold new chapter features groundbreaking plays by writers from the UK, USA, Ukraine, and Palestine, telling powerful stories that have not been seen on stage before.

AWARDS

THEATRE503 ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF THE 2025 INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING AWARD

London-based Ukrainian playwright Olga Braga is announced as the winner of the 2025 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award with her play Donbas.   Donbas was selected from 1377 plays from writers from 49 countries. The world premiere production of the play will be staged at Theatre503 as part of the Award. The prize also includes £6000 a production licence, and publication of the play by Samuel French Ltd, a Concord Theatricals Company.

Braga commented: “I'm so thankful to be welcomed into a community that champions emerging voices and dares to tell stories, especially at a time when live theatre feels more necessary than ever. The work Theatre503 does is so incredibly important - it nurtures growth, fosters new voices, and I feel very lucky to be part of it."

LPT AWARDS

LONDON PUB THEATRE AWARDS 2025 WINNERS ANNOUNCED The seventh annual London Pub Theatre Magazine awards were held at The Cockpit Theatre Marylebone with former Artistic Director of The Hope Theatre, Matthew Parker, a splendid Master of Ceremonies, backed by a team of presenters, led by Head Judge, awarding winner playwright David Weir. 

TWO NEW LPT AWARDS ANNOUNCED

CRITICS CHOICE, awarded to the best production, seen by LPTM critics, in a venue other than a pub theatre, And EMERGING COMPANY

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2025

Winner: Sarah and Simon Reilly / THE TABARD THEATRE.

The Tabard Theatre celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

The Tabard were also winners of two other awards. OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES Award for THE SNOW QUEEN, for their excellent design values, using a sustainable model. INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION for THE MIKADO by Gilbert and Sullivan, directed by Keith Strachan.

Heather Jeffery, Editor of LPTM said " Sarah and Simon took over The Tabard in 2022, with the ambition to give local audiences what they want, offering the best theatrical experience with high standards of production. They have exceeded expectations of what can be achieved without public funding." 

RUNNER UP: LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR

Winner: Michael Kingsbury / GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE

Golden Goose Theatre was founded by Michael Kingsbury in 2020 during the pandemic after discovering that one of his local pubs in Camberwell was ideal to be become a pub theatre. Since it's opening 5 years ago, the venue has had a major redevelopment, and over the past year alone it has had around 73 events, involving over 600 practitioners and playing to large audience numbers. The opportunities it offers are immense.

CRITICS CHOICE AWARD Chosen from over 500 shows

RUN SISTER RUN by Chloë Moss at Arcola Theatre, Produced by Toby Mather, Directed by Marlie Haco

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR

Sarah and Simon Reilly / THE TABARD THEATRE

RUNNER UP LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR

Michael Kingsbury / GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE

COMMENDATIONS for EXCELLENCE

Luke Adamson / BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE for community engagement

Jack Robertson / OLD RED LION THEATRE for services to the Macabre

CRITICS CHOICE AWARD

(New award for the best production in venues other than pub theatres)

RUN SISTER RUN by Chloë Moss at Arcola Theatre, Produced by Toby Mather, Directed by Marlie Haco

STANDING OVATION AWARDS:

BEST PRODUCTION

Toby Parsons Productions in association with Neil McPherson for THE PASSENGER by Nadya Menuhin at Finborough Theatre

DIRECTOR

Tim Supple for THE PASSENGER by Nadya Menuhin at Finborough Theatre

BEST PRODUCTION REDISCOVERY

THE SILVER CORD by Sidney Howard, Produced by Andrew Maunder, Directed by Joe Harmston at The Finborough. Cast: Jemma Carlton, Dario Coates, Alix Dunmore, Sophie Ward, George Watkins

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES

THE SNOW QUEEN, directed by Simon Reilly, produced by Sarah Reilly at Theatre at the Tabard. Designers: Rob Miles (Set), Nat Green (Lighting), Nick Gilbert (Original music and Sound), Alice McNicholas (Costumes), Jen Marcus (Puppets)

SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

KARL SWINYARD FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SET DESIGNS FOR JACK STUDIO THEATRE 2016 - 2025

NEW WRITING

James Lewis and Alexander Knott for AT LAST at Lion and Unicorn Theatre

NEW WRITING RAISING AWARENESS

DIAGNOSIS by Athena Stevens, directed by Ché Walker, Presented by Sarah Lawrie for Aegis Productions at Finborough Theatre

COMEDY

THE QUEEN OF QUEX ROAD by Erin Holland at Bread and Roses Theatre

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION

THE MIKADO by Gilbert and Sullivan, directed by Keith Strachan, musical direction by Annemarie Lewis Thomas, Take Note at The Tabard Theatre

ACTOR – two winners

Emma Wilkinson Wright as Liz Truss in THE LAST DAYS OF LIZ TRUSS? by Greg Wilkinson at White Bear Theatre

Lola Oteh-Cole for her role in OUR WAR by Andrew Ashaye at Jack Studio Theatre

PERFORMER (Musical Theatre / Opera) new award

Kathleen Brenner as Kottilska in THE MIKADO by Forbear! Theatre at Drayton Arms

TWO HANDER

Calum Lill & Jack Robertson for THE SOCIABLE PLOVER by Tim Whitnall, directed by Christa Harris at Old Red Lion Theatre

ENSEMBLE

SCOUTS! The Musical produced by Gigglemug Comedy at Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Cast: Eleanor Fransch, Burhan Kathawala, Kemi Clarke, Katie Pritchard, Emily Kitchingham, Rob Gathercole & Heather Gourdie

SOLO SHOW

FICKLE EULOGY written and performed by Nikol Killars, directed by Javier Galitó-Cava, Camden Fringe at The Hope Theatre

BLACK BOX 

ANTHROPOCENE by Ben Wendel, Directed by Emily Hawkins and James Christensen at Baron’s Court Theatre

EMERGING COMPANY new award

DOUBLETAKE for THE SWITCHBOARD PROJECT at The Hope Theatre

THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2025 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

In a triumph for pub theatres, Hannah Schmidt brilliant design for The Passenger at Finborough Theatre is recognised.

Celebrating creativity behind the scenes in the shape of Best Designer, Hannah Schmidt won the award for her outstanding work on sets and costumes across two shows, The Passenger (Finborough Theatre) and Personal Values (Hampstead Theatre). Finborough Theatre is the only non publicly funded venue to win a Debut Award.

REPERTORY THEATRE RETURNS TO OLD RED LION 2 September - 11 October 2025

FLYWHEEL theatre company launch their inaugural repertory theatre season at the Old Red Lion. An ensemble of six actors will perform in six plays across six weeks, working in a traditional weekly rep style, performing one production while rehearsing for the next.

TRIPLE NOMINATIONS FOR FINBOROUGH THEATRE AT THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2025

Best writer: Saana Sze for Belly of the Beast at Finborough Theatre, London

Best Designer: Hannah Schmidt (set and costume) for The Passenger (pictured) at Finborough Theatre, London

Best designer: Juliette Demoulin (set), various productions at Finborough Theatre, London. Image: Demoulin's design for Burnt Up Love by Ché Walker

PENTAMETERS THEATRE OPENS FUNDRAISER TO PRESERVE ITS LEGACY AFTER RECEIVING EVICTION NOTICE

Founded by Léonie Scott-Matthews in 1968, Pentameters is one of the most respected fringe theatres in London. It has the perfect location in the heart of Hampstead which is well-known for its creative character and thriving community of artists.  After receiving an eviction notice from its home at the Horseshoes pub in Hampstead, the theatre is to 'move with the times' but to preserve the legacy and to take Pentameters forward, funds need to be raised. This is to manage the costs and tenancy issues, but also to enable the theatre to bring forward new ways of working, in new venues and productions, whilst maintaining the ethos of inclusivity, affordability for all and not for profit performances.

Image: Léonie Scott-Matthews with her partner Godfrey Old

Scott-Matthew comments: "We have loved ascending the delightfully creaky staircase above the venue you all know as Pentameters. Sadly, the leaseholder and their lawyers don't appear to share our vision and have served eviction notice. We are doing all we can to persuade them to allow more time, but last Sunday's 'Moon at Night' may be the last Pentameters event at the Horseshoes pub. Of course! the show must go on! - Theatres like Pentameters are the cornerstone of a community, bringing people together to be rewarded with inspiration and entertainment, as well as in the proven links between theatre and positive mental health."

For those who can afford it, a crowdfunding appeal has been set up - this money is what is needed to enable the theatre to move and store all the props and artefacts that have been so loved as part and parcel of the experience of Pentameters, to update the website and to pay for all the insurances and other fees in the new relationships being built with other venues. This will enable the continuation of the Sunday's Moon at Night, and mounting new exciting productions.

 NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Léonie Scott-Matthews, Artistic Director of Pentameters Theatre

Over its long history Scott-Matthews has nurtured the talents of numerous writers who are now household names.  Dannie Abse (1923-2014), Kingsley Amis, Margaret Drabble, Ted Hughes, Laurie Lee, Roger McGough, Edna O'Brien, Harold Pinter, John Wain and the psychiatrist R.D. Laing.

Performers who appeared right at the start of their careers include: Adrian Edmundson, Ben Elton, French and Saunders, Nigel Havers, Celia lmrie, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Jenny Seagrove, Pamela Stephenson and Alexei Sayle.

Léonie has been honoured many times for her work, including Camden Council an ‘Asset of Community Value’ award, 2019 London Pub Theatres Award for Lifetime Achievement,2021 the Olwen Wymark Award for Encouragement in Theatre Writing (by The Writers Guild) and in 2020 she was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to British Theatre and the community in Hampstead.

Read LPTM interview with Léonie here

The Bridge House Theatre Launches London’s First Live Soap Opera for the Stage: PENGEWEST–A CONTINUING DRAMA

6 May 2025

 The Bridge House Theatre in Penge is set to break new ground in June and July with the launch of PENGE WEST – A CONTINUING DRAMA, blending the addictive appeal of soap opera with the immediacy of live performance. In what is believed to be a first for London, this series of 8 live, episodic performances unfolds over three weeks, promising to deliver fast-paced, emotionally charged episodes, just like East Enders or Coronation Street. The project plans to be a hybrid of classic soap opera tropes, theatrical storytelling, and audience interactivity — all set in the heart of south-east London, and more specifically, PENGE WEST, following the lives, secrets, and relationships of a diverse group of local residents. Each performance includes two shows in one evening: the main soap episode and A CONTINUING DRAMA — a meta, behind-the-scenes story chronicling the fictional creation of the very soap the audience is about to watch. The result is set to be a self-aware, and hilarious theatrical double-bill that blurs the lines between satire, drama, and community theatre. Performed script-in-hand by a talented ensemble — many of them familiar faces at The Bridge House — the show aims for spontaneity and evolution, with audience feedback actively shaping future episodes.

The series is written by acclaimed playwright Tim Connery (The Man in the Shed, Chet Baker: Let’s Get Lost, What A Gay Day – The Larry Grayson Story), and directed by John Handscombe (The One Hundred Year-Old Letter) and Luke Adamson (The Bridge House Theatre’s Artistic Director).

Tim Connery explained: “We wanted to create something truly communal, addictive, and entertaining. This is for theatre-lovers, soap fans, and anyone who just wants a night of unpredictable, fresh, funny, and touching live drama.”

Tickets are being sold on a Pay What You Decide basis in order to encourage repeat visits so that participants can follow and influence the ongoing storyline.

INFORMATION: A Continuing Drama Written by Tim Connery Directed by John Handscombe and Luke Adamson 17 Jun - 06 Jul Tickets: Pay What You Decide

VENUE: The Bridge House Theatre 2 High Street Penge London SE20 8RZ

TICKET PRICE: Pay what you decide

BOOKINGS: https://thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk/shows/penge-west/

TRAVEL Penge West (30 secs) Penge East (10 mins) Crystal Palace (13 mins)

24 April 2025

Playwright and performer ATHENA STEVENS returns to the stage after a four year creative exile with a premiere of her play DIAGNOSIS at Finborough Theatre 13 May - 7 June. OffWestEnd Award-winning and Olivier-nominated playwright Athena Stevens was also recipient of London Pub Theatres Theatre Online Award (2021) for LATE NIGHT STARING AT HIGH RES PIXELS. Stevens new play, DIAGNOSIS is a gripping thriller which askes the question "what happens when you know the truth, but others are determined not to believe you?" The production will be directed by multi-award-winning Ché Walker. Full details are available on Finborough website.

BARONS COURT THEATRE SISTER VENUE ANNOUNCED

2/4/2024

Directors at BARONS COURT THEATRE have announced Arches Lane Theatre, as their new sister venue, a 94-seat Fringe venue in the heart of Battersea. Arches Lane Theatre at Battersea Power Station, formerly The Turbine Theatre, will open in Spring 2025 under the management of Kibo Productions, run by Artistic Director Sharon Willems and Executive Director Leo Bacica.

Sharons Willems said: "We’re super excited to be reopening the theatre and to have a new home for our growing community."

In further news about BARONS COURT THEATRE and their struggle to comply with the local Council's mandade to install new seats, Willems said: "Last year, we faced an incredibly hard year. There were many days when we didn't know if we would survive as a theatre, and so it brings us such relief and joy to update that our new benches have finally been installed! Our first audiences enjoyed them last week and the response has been wonderful. We have been working on this for over a year and can hardly believe the seats project is almost complete. There's no way we could have saved Barons Court Theatre without the support and advocacy of our community. Thank you so much for your support; we are so grateful to each of you."

OFF WESTEND AWARDS 2025: FULL LIST OF WINNERS & PUB THEATRE TRIUMPHS

18/3/2025

The OFFIES 15th Annual Awards were held at the spectacular Central Hall Westminster with its beautiful domed roof on Monday 17 March 2025. The star-studded glittering event saw theatre professionals honoured for their work across eight categories. Our interviews with nominees and a full list of winners is below.

Our award for best dressed goes to OFFIES Patrons LOUISE JAMESON, resplendent in sparkly suit and LINDA MARLOW rocking it in navy blue. Not to be outdone, Presenter DIVINA DE CAMPO wowed in a drag queen outfit and Executive Producer DENHOLM SPURR was impressive in a contemporary glamorous two piece.

With the OFFIES change of management effective at the end of last year, comes a new model with just eight categories. Concerns were raised that this would make it tough for smaller theatres to compete but at the beginning of the ceremony it was announced that there would be multiple winners in each section. Many pub theatres were successful in their categories. We caught up with some of the nominees for a chat, but did they win?

DOUGLAS BAKER was nominated for his adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE (Jack Studio Theatre). Anyone who has read the novel will know that it’s a harrowing anti-war SF classic of immense standing. Baker read it at university and wanted to do it because it’s so “baffling, confusing and upsetting … the book is a response to trauma and I think you see that every day, we’re not living in a very quiet time and there’s a lot that can be learned about how troubling it is.” Baker is particularly known for his spectacular video design. The hardest part of putting it together was “the sheer quantity, with 45 different scenes, none of them longer than three minutes and every location is completely different.” Two wins for Baker, one wearing his hat as designer and the other for his production company SO IT GOES. He’s celebrating with a couple of “bevvies”, and he hopes to bring the show back again.

MONICA SALVI was nominated for production for her show SPIRITS IN MY CLOSET (Stage Door Theatre). Salvi was one of the first to became aware of the new pub theatre in Covent Garden because she lives just down the road. ‘It had a brilliant lighting rig, and it had intimacy” which was exactly what she needed for her cabaret show about paranormal experiences. “All my life I’ve had this interest, and I’ve had a few experiences”. These fed into her songs, with “sleep paralysis, entities and a script”. Salvi had no intuition that she might be nominated for an award and although she didn’t win, she’s still a winner.

REBECCA SIMMONDS and JACK MILES were nominated for creating IN CLAY musical (Gatehouse Theatre). IN CLAY is a “lockdown baby”. Writer Simmonds was looking for composers to work with, and she discovered Miles who is “very into jazz”. The pair had the idea of a story about an artist of ceramics who doesn’t make the big time. “You can spend so much time chasing awards,” laughs Miles as he looks at the award that they have just won, “you can be looking for that kind of validation but it’s more about the creative process when it’s for you and you love doing it and you come away with something you’re really proud of.” IN CLAY has reached a fantastic level of success with upcoming tours to China (translated into Mandarin) and the States.

NATASHA ROLAND and XHLOE RICE were nominated for their performances in A LETTER TO LYNDON B. JOHN OR GOD: WHOEVER READS THIS FIRST (Kings Head Theatre). The pair are from New York and had their London debut at King’s Head Theatre 2023 (in the days before the theatre moved into a purpose-built venue). Their following is here in the UK. “Luckily, we have such great friends in London now, who let us crash on couches.” The pair are known for very physical work with superb synchronisation. “it’s based in clown, it’s very absurd, and all our shows have a similar DNA, based on Americana, pop culture and American history”. After 11 years of friendship and working together, they can even “read each other’s minds.” So, did they know that they would win, maybe not but they did.

Other pub theatre winners included designer AMANDA RAMASAWMY for BY THEIR FRUITS (Theatre503), musical director LIAM HOLMES for SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Gatehouse Theatre), performer ROSALIND FORD for IN CLAY (Gatehouse Theatre) and writer JULIA THURSTON for PAVED WITH GOLD AND ASHES (Barons Court Theatre).

Also of note, the 2025 SPECIAL AWARD was presented to LYNETTE LINTON & DANIEL BAILEY for MISCHIEF THEATRE’s work on THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG for a decade of West End success. It’s always a pleasure to remember that this company premiered in a pub theatre, OLD RED LION, in 2012.

The full list of winners is below.

PRODUCTION

• Blood Show / Battersea Arts Centre, Chapter Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre

(Battersea Arts Centre)

• Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five (or the children’s crusade) / So It Goes Theatre

(Brockley Jack Theatre)

• La Bohème / The Opera Makers (Arcola Theatre)

• Run, Rebel / Pilot Theatre (Theatre Peckham)

• Sleeping Beauty / Broadway Theatre (Broadway Theatre, Catford)

• Sophie's Surprise 29th / Three Legged Race Productions (Underbelly)

STAGING

• Hannah Grennell / Giselle: Remix (The Pleasance)

• Christopher Haydon / Never Let Me Go (Rose Theatre)

• Tom Littler / Twelfth Night (Orange Tree Theatre)

PERFORMANCE

• Natasha Roland, Xhloe Rice / A Letter to Lyndon B. Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This

First (Kings Head Theatre)

• Victoria Hamilton-Barritt / Bronco Billy the Musical (Charing Cross Theatre)

4

• Mark Weinman / Captain Amazing (Southwark Playhouse)

• The Cast / Dick Whittington and His Cat (Greenwich Theatre)

• The Cast and Orchestra / Eugene Onegin (Jacksons Lane)

• Faye Castelow / Here in America (Orange Tree Theatre)

• Rosalind Ford / In Clay (Gatehouse Theatre)

• The Cast / Journey of a Refugee (Stanley Arts Centre)

• Mariah Gale, Elizabeth Dulau, Alexandra Jensen / The Bleeding Tree (Southwark

Playhouse)

• Milo Twomey / The Harmony Test (Hampstead Theatre)

• Jo Fong, George Orange / The Rest of Our Lives (Battersea Arts Centre)

• Heather Agyepong, Tosin Cole / Shifters (Bush Theatre)

• The Cast / Sleeping with Beauty (The Union Theatre)

• Victoria Yeates / Wormholes (Omnibus Theatre)

DESIGN

• Amanda Ramasawmy / by their fruits (Theatre503)

• Mona Camille / Kim’s Convenience (Park Theatre)

• Douglas Baker / Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five (or the children’s crusade) (Jack

Studio Theatre)

• Jack Weir / Remembrance Monday (Tristan Bates Theatre)

• Ryan Day / Now I See (Theatre Royal Stratford East)

• Richard Evans, Rochelle Parry Clifford / The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan

(Harrow Arts Centre)

• Helen Skiera / Toto Kerblammo! (Unicorn Theatre)

• Casey Jay Andrews, Simon Wilkinson, Gareth Fry / Viola's Room (One Cartridge Place)

SOUND & MUSIC

• Xana / King Troll (The Fawn), Shifters, Guards at the Taj (New Diorama/Bush

Theatre/Orange Tree)

• Beats And Elements / Romeo & Juliet (Polka Theatre)

• Liam Holmes / Songs for a New World (Gatehouse Theatre)

CREATION

• Rebecca Simmonds, Jack Miles / In Clay (Gatehouse Theatre)

• Khalil Abdalla / Nowhere / Fuel (Battersea Arts Centre)

• Benedict Lombe / Shifters (Bush Theatre)

• Roy Williams / The Lonely Londoners (Jermyn Street Theatre)

5

• Ollie Maddigan / The Olive Boy (New Wimbledon Theatre)

INNOVATION

• Contra, Le Carré Magique, Cambridge Junction / Spectacle of Herself (Battersea Arts

Centre)

INDUSTRY & INCLUSION

• Birds Of Paradise Theatre Company / Don't. Make. Tea. (Soho Theatre)

• Julia Thurston / Paved with Gold and Ashes (Barons Court Theatre)

• Alex Hill / Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England (Southwark Playhouse)

OffFEST

• A Series of Introductory Lectures On Psychoanalysis (Producer: Zoe Hartland, in

association with Musketeer Productions; Kings Head Theatre)

• I Wish You Well (StoryWorks & Paul Taylor-Mills; Underbelly)

• NeuroChatter (Sara Jane Harvey; The Fitzgerald

• Ni Mi Madre (VagaMundo Productions, Laura Zlatos in association with Paul Morrissey

Ltd; The Pleasance)

• Spit In My Face (Something Queer Productions; Camden People’s Theatre)

• μεταδραματικό / Postdramatic (EXPERIMENTA ART COMPANY AND THEKLA GAITI;

Cockpit Theatre)

• PRETTY, WITTY NELL (Rogue Shakespeare; Rotunda Theatre)

2025 SPECIAL AWARD

• Mischief Theatre 2025 SPECIAL AWARD Lynette Linton & Daniel Bailey

LOOK FOR THE WOMAN FESTIVAL RETURNS TO ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE FOR THE THIRD YEAR

21/2/2025

THEATRE503 ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR along with a new leadership model

9/1/2025 Image: Anthony Simpson-Pike, photography by Adiam Yemane

Theatre503 announces Anthony Simpson-Pike as its new Artistic Director, succeeding Lisa Spirling who departs Theatre503 after eight years to join Stratford East as Artistic Director. In a new leadership model for Theatre503, Anthony will share the role of Joint CEO with Executive Director Emily Carewe. They are joined on the Senior Management Team by Literary Manager Steve Harper, recently appointed Carne Deputy Artistic Director Rochelle Wilson, and a Producer to be recruited next month.

Anthony Simpson-Pike is an acclaimed director, dramaturg, and writer whose previous leadership roles include Deputy Artistic Director at The Yard Theatre and Associate Director at the Gate Theatre. His recent work includes directing Olivier Award-winning The P Word (Bush Theatre), co-directing the Drama Desk Award-winning Grenfell: in the words of survivors (National Theatre and St Anne’s Warehouse, NYC), directing the Irish Times Theatre Award-nominated An Octoroon (Abbey Theatre) and productions at the Royal Court Theatre, Stratford East and Young Vic. As a dramaturg, he has developed seasons of work for the Gate and The Yard and worked for companies including the RSC, Stratford East, the Royal Court, and BAC.

Anthony Simpson-Pike said: “I can’t wait to get started on working with game-changing writers that are the lifeblood of Theatre503 and I am honoured to build on Lisa’s rich legacy of supporting bold and diverse new writing. Theatre503 holds a vital and unique place in the industry, and in my heart, as the national theatre of debut plays. I have always been inspired by the breadth, ambition and innovation of the stories I’ve seen here. It is a vital space for artists to dare to write their boldest work and for audiences to see plays they couldn’t see anywhere else."

Anthony joins the company in February 2025, overseeing the final stages of the 2025 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award (to be announced in Spring), the next steps towards opening the 503Studio at Nine Elms, and programming his first season of work - to be staged from 2026 onwards.