London Pub Theatres Magazine is ten years old. The magazine came into existence to support pub theatres; to celebrate their successes, to publicise the opportunities they offer, and to emphasise their importance to the theatre industry as a whole.   We look back at the last ten years, the major events, the theatres and the people. 

2015

AWARDS

BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE founded in 2014 by Tessa Hart (Artistic Director) and Rebecca Pryle (Managing Director) launch two awards: 

A bi-annual Award for Emerging Companies offering a week of research and development and a bi-annual Playwriting Award for new full length plays which feature at least half of female, non-binary or gender neutral roles by UK and Europe based writers.

BREAD AND ROSES PLAYWRITING AWARD WINNER 2015 is awarded to Emma Gibson for Bloodletting

BREAD AND ROSES is recipient of the ICWP 50/50 Applause Award and goes on to win is two more times (2016 & 17). The award is given to theatres that programme 50 or more female playwrights each season. The theatre continues to champion female playwrights and under represented theatre makers.

PRODUCTIONS (Reviewed by LPTM)

THE BOAT by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Pigdog Theatre Company at Theatre N16, Balham

TRAIN SPOTTING directed by Adam Spreadbury Maher at King’s Head Theatre

THE STATE VS JOHN HAYES by Lucy Roslyn premiered at King’s Head Theatre in 2015 and won the Argus Angel for Artistic Excellence.

A PRAYER by Selma Dimitrijevic (Artistic Director of Greyscale Theatre), performed by Niall Bishop, directed by David Loumgair

YOU TWEET MY FACE SPACE by Tom Hartwell, produced by Boots and Cats Productions, directed by Anne Stoffells at The Hen & Chickens Theatre

TORN APART (Disillusion) written and directed by BJ McNeill, presented by No Offence Theatre at Theatre N16

F*CKING MEN by Joe DiPietro, directed by Mark Barford at King’s Head Theatre January 2015

THE MERCURIOUS MISADVENTURES OF HATTER AND HARE! Aelfa Centauri Theatre Company at The Rabbit Hole Theatre, Hampstead 18 November to 4 December 2015

SPARKS by Simon Longman, Produced by Curran McKay for Folie a Deux and Tom Richards for Bitterblossom at Old Red Lion Theatre

LIVING BETWEEN LIES, devised by Underfoot Theatre Company at The King’s Head Theatre

THE FIRST REVIEWERS JOIN THE LPTM TEAM

Emma Zadow, Dionne Farrell, Laura Thomas, Richard Braine. 

Senior reviewer Richard Braine is playwright, director and celebrated actor having worked extensively throughout the country including Chichester Festival Theatre, Manchester Royal Exchange, Birmingham Rep, and Stephen Joseph Theatre in Yorkshire. His Television and Film credits include: “Calendar Girls”, “Pride, Prejudice and Zombies”, “Finding Neverland”, “Bridget Jones”, “Suspicions of Mr Whicher”, “Mr Selfridge” and many years ago Gussie Fink-Nottle in “Jeeves and Wooster”. 

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT

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.

FESTIVALS

BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE  open The Clapham Fringe Festival

Lovesong of the Electric Bear by Snoo Wilson, directed by Matthew Parker, Artistic Director at The Hope Theatre



FESTIVALS

The Bread and Roses Theatre join V-Day Festival annual event and invite fellow artists to take part.  Throughout V-DAY’s history, activists and artists have used this platform to look at the connection between gender-based violence and political instability, armed conflict, xenophobia, unsafe working conditions, transphobia, homophobia, and racism. This is an artistic rising and a charity event, participation is voluntary as per V-DAY.org rules and guidelines.

PRODUCTIONS (just a few of the show reviewed by LPTM)

FRED STRANGEBONE’S FREAKSHOW, Presented by Honky Bonk, The London Horror Festival at The Old Red Lion Theatre

EIGENGRAU by Penelope Skinner, Presented by Annie Jackson at King’s Head Theatre

ANTIGONE Adapted by Brendan Murray, Directed by Matthew Parker at The Hope Theatre

PIECE OF SILK by Jennie Buckman, Presented by Standing on the Shoulders of Giant productions at The Hope Theatre

FLESH & BONE by Elliot Warren, Presented by Lotus Productions and Unpolished Theatre at Etcetera Theatre, Camden

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Presented by The Jack Studio Theatre Adapted by Steven Canny & John Nicholson                          THE WORST WAS THIS by Matte O’Brien, Presented by Wild Goose Chase at The Hope Theatre

CRIME DOESN’T PLAY, presented by The Twins Macabre, London Horror Festival, at Old Red Lion

THE WORST WAS THIS by Matte O’Brien, Presented by Wild Goose Chase at The Hope Theatre

2017

PRODUCTIONS

TOP HAT, Directed by John Plews, Produced by Katie Plews for Ovation at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

INCIDENT AT VICHY by Arthur Miller, Directed by Phil Willmott at King’s Head

DYL by Mark Weinman, Directed by Clive Judd at Old Red Lion Theatre.

IN OTHER WORDS by Matthew Seager. Directed by Paul Brotherston, Presented by Off the Middle at the Hope Theatre

WILL POWER by Toby Boutall AT Theatre N16

I AM TURPIN by Antonia Goddard, Directed by Steffi Walker, Presented by Foxglove Theatre at Theatre N16

LEAD SUSPECT written and directed by Stephanie Withers, presented by off The Middle at King’s Head Theatre

HOUSE OF AMERICA by Ed Thomas, directed by James O’Donnell at Jack Studio Theatre

BEANS by Matthew Floyd Jones, Directed by Tim McArthur at Canal Café Theatre

THE HAUNTING OF BLAINE MANOR, Written and directed by Joe O’Byrne, Presented by Tales from Paradise Heights, part of London Horror Festival at Old Red Lion Theatre

IN THE EVENT OF MOONE DISASTER by Andrew Thompson, Directed by Lisa Spirling at Theatre503

FESTIVALS

The CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL at ETCETERA THEATRE, founded by Zena Barry and Michelle Flower in 2006, expands to include 25 venues including several pub theatres.

SENIOR REVIEWER

Along with several others, award winning playwright, David Weir, joins the team. 

AWARDS

The Bread & Roses Playwriting Award 2016/2017 winner announced: The Black Eye Club by Phil Charles

Finborough Theatre is nominated for an Olivier Award  

2018

AROUND THE THEATRES

Velenzia Spearpoint is appointed Artistic Director of BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE  as Tessa Hart steps down. 

PRODUCTIONS

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, Music and lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Presented by MKEC Productions at Drayton Arms Theatre

INTO THE NUMBERS by Christopher Chen, directed by Georgie Straight, Presented by Arsalan Sattari Productions at Finborough Theatre

CRYSTAL CLEAR devised by Phil young, produced by White Deer Theatre at Old Red Lion Theatre. 

BOAT PEOPLE by Emma Park, directed by Harry Meacher at Pentameters Theatre

THE UNNATURAL TRAGEDY by Margaret Cavendish directed by Graham Watts at White Bear Theatre

Bram Stoker’s DRACULA adapted by Ross McGregor for ARROWS AND TRAPS at Jack Studio Theatre

THE WHITE ROSE from ARROWS AND TRAPS at JACK STUDIO
CYRIL’S SUCCESS and JEANNIE and  A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE GYNECOLOGICLA ONGOLOGY UNIT all at Finborough Theatre

Louise Coulthard’s COCKAMAMY at THE HOPE

AN HONOURABLE MAN, by Michael McManus at WHITE BEAR THEATRE
GRACIE by Joan McLeod at the FINBOROUGH

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT at UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE

CRUMPLE ZONE at the KING’S HEAD

Steven Berkoff’s EAST by ATTICIST Productions, directed by Jessica Lazar, at the KING’S HEAD THEATRE

Mart Crowley’s FOR REASONS THAT REMAIN UNCLEAR 

David Grieg’s OUTLYING ISLANDS at King's Head Theatre

MEDICINE at The HOPE Theatre

WHO PUT BELLA IN THE WYCH ELM? at The OLD RED LION
KES, directed by Kate Bannister at Jack Studio Theatre

AWARDS

THEATRE503 International Playwriting Award winner is announced: Out of Sorts by Danusia Samal (published by Nick Hern Books)

2019

LPTM

LPTM announces its inaugural London Pub Theatre of the Year Awards.  These are held in October at Lion and Unicorn Theatre kindly supported by Artistic Director David Brady.

AROUND THE THEATRES

Matthew Parker steps down as Artistic Director of THE HOPE THEATRE and Kennedy Bloomer is appointed.

LION AND UNICORN THEATRE announces Proforca Theatre as managing company of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre led by Artistic Director David Brady.

OLD RED LION THEATRE is 40 years old.  Executive Director Damien Devine has been the Landlord at the pub for 23 years. Róisín Devine and Helen Devine are Associate Director/Consulting Producer. Damien's niece Helen Devine was Artistic Director between 2004-2010. Helen led the ORL to win the Empty Space Peter Brook Award and Dan Crawford Pub Theatre Award.

AWARDS

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2019 is awarded to Adam Spreadbury-Maher (Artistic Director) KING’S HEAD THEATRE

King’s Head team lead by Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher has an outstanding track record for nurturing theatre talent through associate companies, individual artists and the King’s Head director’s training programme. Spreadbury-Maher has also championed fair pay with an equity agreement in unfunded fringe theatres which has had a positive knock on effect in the industry. He has also made a commitment to opera and LGBTQ queer theatre, which has resulted in opera being more accessible and queer stories being enjoyed by all.

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2019 JOINT RUNNERS-UP awarded to Kate Bannister (Artistic Director) and Karl Swinyard (Executive Producer), JACK STUDIO THEATRE And Matthew Parker (Artistic Director), THE HOPE THEATRE

LONDON PUB THEATRES LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD goes to Léonie Scott-Matthews (Artistic Director) at Pentameters Theatre.  Along with King's Head Theatre, it is the oldest pub theatre, having been founded in 1968.  Read more about Scott-Matthews remarkable achievement in THE TRUE MEANING OF THE WORD BOHEMIAN 

COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO PUB THEATRES goes to Katie Danbury (Artistic Director) at Old Red Lion Theatre

INTERVIEW

THE HOUSE OF YES

by Wendy MacLeod

Directed by Matthew Parker

The Hope Theatre

8 – 26 October 2019

Interview with Matthew Parker

by Heather Jeffery

Matthew Parker has had 5 Best Director Offie nominations covering

AROUND THE THEATRES

THE BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE CLOSES. Founded in 2013 by married couple, actress Rachel Tucker and director Guy Retallack, it flourished under the stewardship of Guy Retallack, Rachel Tucker and Rob Harris. 

ETCETERA THEATRE Artistic Directors Pierre and Maud Madlyn announce that are stepping down after running the theatre since 2014. The new Artistic Director, Emily Keeble has been a technician at the theatre since 2017.

AWARDS

Finborough Theatre is nominated for an Olivier Award 

Artistic Director Neil McPherson is awarded the Critics’ Circle Special Award for Services to Theatre

2020

LPT

Announces Inaugural STANDING OVATION AWARDS for individuals and companies who have shown exceptional achievement in the pub theatre environment.

THE PANDEMIC

March 2020 the Theatres close.

ROUND THE THEATRES

The Hope Theatre announces Kennedy Bloomer as new Artistic Director and two months later the theatre are shut down. She 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 in 2021

OLD RED LION THEATRE announces that Alexander knott new Artistic Director as Katy Danbury steps down.

Adam Spreadbury-Mahor's tenureship as Artistic Director of KING’S HEAD THEATRES ends. 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.

Golden Goose Theatre in Camberwell founded by Michael Kingsbury. Georgia Harris announced as Artistic Director.

Artistic Director Neil McPherson CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF FINBOROUGH THEATRE. The theatre was founded in 1980 by June Abbots, Phil Wilmott took over as Artistic Director in 1984 and Neil McPherson became Artistic Director in 1999.

Michael Kingsbury founds a brand new theatre (during the Pandemic), GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE in Camberwell. He came across Golden Goose pub when he took a different route on foot to visit his mother in her care home. He knew he'd stumbled across an ideal pub theatre venue, which would also benefit the pub and bring in the local community.

ROSEMARY BRANCH announces first annual CURIOUS PUPPETS FESTIVAL

“Ingenious - music and action come together immaculately." - The Guardian on The Four Seasons: A Reimagining

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AWARDS

WINNERS ANNOUNCED 2020

online ceremony October 2020

PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2020

NEIL MCPHERSON

FINBOROUGH THEATRE

RUNNER-UP FOR PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2020 

MICHAEL KINGSBURY

WHITE BEAR THEATRE

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD   

JOHN and KATIE PLEWS

UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE

COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO PUB THEATRES

For exceptional representation of our society's real diversity

TESSA HART, REBECCA PRYLE, and VELENZIA SPEARPOINT

BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE

RUNNER-UP PUB THEATRES OF THE YEAR 2020 - MICHAEL KINGSBURY AT THE WHITE BEAR THEATRE

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2020 - JOHN AND KATIE PLEWS , UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE

Finborough theatre wins LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR. When the theatres were closed, the Finborough continued to keep its ‘doors open’ by making plays available to view online completely free of charge. They have also just made a deal with new video company Scenesaver to add an option of using subtitles to the videos, making them even more accessible. The most notable were by Rolf Hochhuth starring Edmund Dehn who also appeared in the very first play ever done at the Finborough back in 1980.

One of things that Neil should be proud of achieving is that eleven shows out of the twelve that were booked for this year had Equity contracts. In the upcoming season, seven out of eight will be on Equity. The eighth one has a large cast which makes it impossible to achieve paying all the actors. “If fringe theatre is going to be monologues and two handers for ever, there’s almost no point in existing if that’s all its capable of, and audiences don’t much want to see two handers… unless the two hander is Judi Dench and Anthony Hopkins” he adds. “It’s unhealthy, it’s the mix that is needed”. Finborough had a big symposium on Low Pay No Pay in which a vote was taken about whether they should stop doing large cast shows. Eighty five percent said they should not. “Without the chance to do large cast shows with us first, James Graham might not have been able to write This House, or it would certainly have taken him longer.”

“Finborough is where you learn to make your mistakes and if we want writers and directors capable of filling the Olivier in 10 years time they need to be cutting their teeth at Finborough right now”. 

The Bread & Roses Playwriting Award 2018/2019 winners announced:

I and the Village by D Donohue

Hungerland by Rachel O'Regan

Who You Are and What You Do by Hugh Dichmont

The Theatre503 International Playwriting Award winner is announced:  Moreno by Pravin Wilkins

THE PRODUCTIONS (all winners of LPT standing Ovation Award)

CHAPLIN BIRTH OF A TRAMP by Ross McGregor, produced by Arrows and Traps at Brockley Jack Theatre

THE WIND OF HEAVEN by Emlyn Williams at Finborough Theatre

THE VIOLENCE SERIES TRIPLE BILL by The Other Room Theatre (Cardiff) at Theatre503

       Three plays AMERICAN NIGHTMARE by Matthew Bulgo

                                 THE STORY by Tess Berry-Hart

                                 HELA by Mari Izzard

TRYST by Karoline Leach, starring Fred Perry (Artistic Director of Chiswick Playhouse) and Scarlett Brookes at Chiswick Playhouse

THE HOUSE OF YES by Wendy MacLeod, directed by Matthew Parker at The Hope Theatre

CALL ME FURY by Sasha Wilson (further devised by the company), Produced by Out of The Forest Theatre at The Hope Theatre (looks at women and witchcraft through the ages, It’s thought-provoking & has outstanding musicianship)

HAPPILY EVER POOFTER Created and performed by Rich Watkins at King’s Head Theatre

THE BEVIN BOYS by Viv Edwards at Pentameters Theatre, Hampstead, 12-21 July 2019 (young men conscripted to go down the mines during the Second World War)