Theatre entertainment in London
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Donmar Warehouse
A not-for-profit company that has forged itself a West End reputation.
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Hackney Empire
Theatre in the East End has undergone something of a renaissance with the top-to-tail renovation of this Edwardian music hall (1901). The programming is eclectic to say the least and defines ‘something for everyone’ – from hard-edged political theatre (The Hounding of David Oluwale) to opera (Aida) and comedy (Jo Brand). What’s more, the Empire has become Pantomime Central at Christmas. There’s comedy at the lively Marie Lloyd Bar below on Monday and live music on Thursday. Theatre as it was meant to be.
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Arcola Theatre
The Arcola’s location in Dalston in the East End makes it a bit of a trek, but many still flock to this innovative theatre whose director Mehmet Ergen has been staging adventurous and eclectic programs since founding the theatre in 2000. The program focuses on cutting-edge, international productions (such as work by young Turkish, Swedish and Austrian playwrights) and a unique annual feature is Grimeborn, a music and opera festival in August/September diametrically opposed to the posh Glyndebourne opera festival near Lewes in Sussex.
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King’s Head
This stalwart pub-theatre in the heart of the Islington party district has in the past staged some of the most memorable theatre in North London. Nowadays it’s a bit hit or miss, with tribute mini-musicals to the likes of Dorothy Fields (she wrote songs like ‘I’m In The Mood For Love’ and ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’) and Sophie Tucker and provocative cabaret like Naked Boys Singing! (yes, for real). It might not be fun for the whole family, but you might like it.
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Old Vic
Kevin Spacey continues his run as artistic director (and occasional performer).
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Battersea Arts Centre
This is a friendly, down-to-earth community theatre where staff chat to you and the actors mingle in the bar with the audience after the show. Playwrights see it as a valuable nurturer and crucible of new plays and talent. Artistic director David Jubb’s famous ‘Scratch’ program is an excellent exercise in learning about the writing process: a developing play is shown to ever-increasing audiences until it’s finished.
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Young Vic
One of the capital’s most respected theatre troupes – bold, brave and talented – the Young Vic grabs audiences with arresting plays such as Vernon God Little (as adapted from DBC Pierre’s novel) and the English Touring Theatre’s foot-stompin’ soul-funk musical Been So Long. There’s a lovely two-level bar-restaurant with an open-air terrace upstairs.
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Tricycle Theatre
If political theatre is on your shopping list, the Tricycle delivers. This small theatre has made a name for itself in recent years as the theatre-world’s conscience, with plays that draw on world events (conflicts in Iraq, the Middle East and especially Afghanistan, with 2009’s memorable The Great Game ) in intelligent and provocative ways. There’s a nice cinema and bar on site as well.
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Hampstead Theatre
Not only is this Ewan McGregor’s favourite London theatre, the Hampstead is famed for putting on new writing and taking on emerging directors. It staged Harold Pinter’s new work way back in the 1960s, which shows it knows a good thing when it sees one. The theatre is housed in a purpose-built building (2003), with a main auditorium seating 325 and the Michael Frayn Space seating 80.
reviewed
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Little Angel Theatre
It might sound like kids’ stuff but this puppet theatre down an alleyway in Islington has programs for grownups, including the adults-only Puppet Grinder Cabaret. Especially memorable was their staged version of Shakespeare’s lengthy poem, Venus and Adonis. We’d never seen marionette birds before (or puppets in the throes of, err, passion, for that matter).
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Menier Chocolate Factory
Theatre and chocolate, two of many Londoners’ major passions, have never been as gloriously paired up as they have here – a theatre inside a gorgeous conversion of a 19th-century chocolate factory. To make matters better, the theatre’s superb restaurant makes for great combination deals (from around £24 per person for a two-course dinner and a ticket).
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Almeida Theatre
A plush venue that can be relied on to provide the city with an essential program of imaginative theatre, the Almeida, under its creative artistic director, Michael Attenborough, attracts directors such as Richard Eyre and Rufus Norris, and stages plays such as The Mercy Seat and the acclaimed Duet for One.
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Albany
7 Deptford Market This colourful market takes place in the centre of Deptford three days a week, and comprises a vibrant flea market as well as food and clothing stalls. Southwest is the Albany, a busy arts and community centre with comedy, music and theatre productions and a lovely cafe.
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Lyric Hammersmith
The Lyric is a great venue that turns classics on their head, staging Greek tragedies through mixed media, with film projection, dance and music. A modern glass entrance takes you to the historic 19th-century auditorium seating 550, and a smaller 110-seat studio.
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Bush Theatre
For what is essentially a pub-theatre, the Bush is exceptionally good and encourages new writing. Its success over the past three decades is down to strong writing from the likes of Jonathan Harvey, Conor McPherson, Stephen Poliakoff and Mark Ravenhill.
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Lowdown at the Albany
A shabby basement venue that is programmed together with the Hen and Chickens Theatre. The two venues host stand-up and sketch sets, Edinburgh previews and theatre. The Hen and Chickens, in particular, is a good place to see solo shows.
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Soho Theatre
Where grown-up comedians graduate to once they start pulling the crowds.
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Hen and Chickens Theatre
Programmed together with Lowdown at the Albany, the two venues host stand-up and sketch sets, Edinburgh previews and theatre. The Hen and Chickens, in particular, is a good place to see solo shows.
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Almeida
A plush venue that can be relied on to provide the city with an essential program of imaginative theatre, the Almeida, under its creative artistic director, Michael Attenborough, attracts directors such as Richard Eyre and Rufus Norris, and stages plays such as The Mercy Seat and the acclaimed Duet for One.
reviewed
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