INTERVIEW on UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE with new management team Annlouise Butt and Isaac Bernier-Doyle

Annlouise Butt and her partner Isaac Bernier-Doyle took over the management of Upstairs at the Gatehouse on 1 March 2023 from Artistic Directors John Plews and Katie Plews (Ovation Productions). It is a great pleasure to find out more about the present and future plans for the theatre.

Happily, London Pub Theatres Awards team met the new management team at the LPT Awards which were held at the Gatehouse last year (2022). Annlouise was stage managing and Isaac was accompanying on the piano.   Little did we realise at the time that this couple were destined to take over this versatile and much-loved venue. Annlouise explains that she “worked with John Plews as Theatre Manager for 3 ½ years and was also assistant producer to Katie Plews.” This allows continuity in both the ethos and the programming.   At the same time, Annlouise and Isaac are exploring many exciting creative and practical possibilities for the theatre.

In brief they are planning to build a relationship with emerging artists bringing new writing to the venue, (more about this below). The existing ‘green room’ will be redeveloped by the pub to give the venue its own bar, where interval drinks can be ordered.   They also have two main fund-raising goals; to create an accessible route into the theatre (stair lift) and to upgrade the lighting to LED.   

Naturally, long standing patrons of the theatre are champing at the bit to get involved again. They will be delighted to hear that the Gatehouse’s versatile space will continue to programme its two core best sellers: musical theatre shows and history plays.  “It’s a mixture of both” says Annlouise, “Francis Beckett, for example, is a political writer whom we have worked with a lot, and his plays always sell out.” His recent shows have included Vodka with Stalin and a show about Clement Atlee A Modest Little Man. Another show, recently brought to the theatre And Then They Came For Me by James Still was based on Eva Schloss’ book of the same name.

Musical theatre as pure entertainment has always been a highlight at the theatre and the Christmas musical always attracts crowds. Last year’s offering of a new musical SUMMER IN THE CITY from the former management, John and Katie Plews, was another hit. The Plews built the reputation of the theatre on getting the rights to musicals (and choosing the right ones for the venue).   “They aren’t doing a show this year,” admits Annlouise, “but there’s always a place for John and Katie here.”   

“The venue has a loyal local audience who have been coming here for 25 years” explains Isaac “and they’ve been so supportive of us; they are part of the theatre, it’s a space for them.”  At the same time the Gatehouse has a much wider reach in North London and beyond.  People travel long distances, from as far away as Wales, to watch revivals of rarely seen musicals, for example, the 1960s pastiche musical, A Slice of Saturday Night. “People don’t often get a chance to see it”, says Isaac.

Between them the pair have a wealth of experience to bring.   Annlouise trained as a performer at Central for one year. She transferred to a course on writing, directing and performance when she realised that she “hated being on stage.” Following university she worked as freelance producer, at the same time as working in fashion for four years as a buyer. “I needed to make money whilst also producing” she explains. 

Isaac worked as an actor in his early 20s. “Mostly musical theatre” he says, “but I gave it up to do a composing and song writing degree”.  He’s been composing and writing songs ever since, whilst also teaching.  He mentions that he has further plans to do a PhD in musical theatre on Stephen Sondheim, “but it seemed like too much to take on at the same time as taking over the theatre so I’ve postponed it until later in the year".

They are also busy planning in-house shows with their company Chromolume Theatre.  “We’ll start smaller and build up some money … we’ll continue the tradition of the big Christmas musical” says Annlouise.  They haven’t yet confirmed which show they’ll be bringing but the pair do explain the ethos for their new company.   “The name comes from Sunday in the Park with George. “It’s a confluence of colour and light” explains Isaac, “it’s the name of a modern art installation which is made to capture colour and light in its purest form; the show’s all about making art.”

The pair are pleased to be bringing new writing to the venue. “We’re super excited to be able to offer a venue to new writing, and to partner with creatives on their first experience of a professional production” says Isaac.  “It’s a real privilege” they both agree, “to be able to help people on that journey.” This summer’s programme focuses entirely on new writing. Isaac admits with a smile that their dream show would be “new writing that’s also musical theatre”.

“Part of the natural slight shift in programming is a reflection of personalities” the pair explain.  As they are a different generation, they want to “chat with a range of people and keep expanding in that direction” as well as continuing to serve their loyal audience.  This will include “partnerships with key companies who have their own loyal audiences such as the Sondheim Society as well as building new relationships.” They are keen on partnering and offering an ongoing relationship. Capped box office splits and working with them on marketing, supporting them on both the production and the creative level (where needed) are some of the benefits they are exploring. They are keen to try to work with the companies on what is best for them with flexible payments whilst also allowing them to “keep the lights on”. 

The pair are offering a wealth of theatrical experience and are keen to be hands on. It’s a very exciting start to their management of the theatre and London Pub Theatres Magazine is proud to be hosted by them at Upstairs at the Gatehouse for their upcoming Theatre Awards in October this year (2023)