If you want to see new voices and radical ideas, Camden People’s Theatre is the place to do it. The venue has been championing early-career and underrepresented artists for more than 30 years, providing mentoring, resources and the stage they need to flourish. The programme is always a real mix, featuring everything from new work to urgent political voices, Brazilian sci-fi to theatre performances in a box, and all projects are designed with accessibility in mind.
"Camden People’s Theatre was one of the first places that gave me real space to experiment. Not just to put work on, but to try things, to fail, to rethink, and to grow. And they continue to do so for a whole host of artists and companies just starting out. Check out their current spring season, there is always something interesting to see."
Opened in 2010, this 80-seat theatre in Regent’s Place, is a pioneering venue that’s become a home for the country’s best independent companies and ensembles. It’s won multiple awards in that time and has had its produced and commissioned works tour nationally and internationally, with acclaimed productions like Operation Mincemeat and For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy having premieres at the theatre.
"The New Diorama was another place that was pivotal in my career. For Black Boys…started out life here. It’s another place where many interesting ideas start their journey."
The National Theatre is a landmark for its architecture as much as the productions it puts on – the brutalist complex on the Southbank is one of London’s most recognisable buildings. The theatre company was founded by Sir Laurence Olivier, over a decade before construction of the building was completed in 1976, and it’s remained a premiere destination for actors, directors and audiences ever since. World-class productions featuring a who’s who of global talent are staged across the NT’s three theatre spaces. Since 2009, the theatre has also been broadcasting its productions in cinemas and online through the NT Live programme, making theatre even more accessible.
"The National Theatre comes with a lot of history (and a fabulous location). It’s been interesting to see how it has developed under Indhu Rubasingham, the first woman and the first person of colour to lead the venue."
Known as the Tricycle Theatre from 1980 until it was renovated and re-opened under its new name in 2018, the Kiln Theatre is a real reflection of Kilburn and its diversity. Home to a 292-seat theatre, a 291-seat cinema and two rehearsal spaces, plus a bar and restaurant, Kiln is space that welcomes the whole community, nurtures talent and removes barriers to world-class theatre, both in therms who gets to make it and who gets to see it. It’s produced plays by the likes of Lolita Chakrabarti, Colman Domingo, Florian Zeller, Zadie Smith, Alexi Kaye Campbell and Abi Morgan.
"A cinema as well as a theatre, Kilburn’s Kiln also has a strong programme of regular talks. The theatre has a history of programming political work that reflects the concerns of the local community. In 2023, my play about the legendary Sidney Poitier - Retrograde - had its world premiere at The Kiln!"
Brixton House is a pioneering fringe theatre known for supporting experimental theatre companies that developed from the rich history of Ovalhouse, which was an inclusive theatre space set up for young people in the 1960s and which has seen the likes of David Hare, Piece Brosnan, Salman Rushdie and Tamsin Greig pass through. Now a purpose-built theatre, Brixton House’s mission is to be representative of its neighbourhood and the diverse people who live in it, and to platform voices not heard in mainstream culture.
"A fairly new London venue, they do a great job in foregrounding undervalued and under-heard voices through their theatre programme."
Since 1956 the Royal Court Theatre has been known as the writer’s theatre, supporting undiscovered, emerging and established writers alike. It’s the forefront of contemporary creative work and gives a platform to unheard voices and future talent, and has staged plays by the likes of Caryl Churchill, Jez Butterworth and Martin McDonagh. The building features two venues, a snug 90-seat theatre upstairs and a much bigger 400-seater downstairs – both offering a top-notch view for the audience.
"It’s been London’s new writing powerhouse for decades now and continues to present plays that are relevant and speak to the contemporary moment. It's where I made my debut as an actor and now, years later, I'm an associate writer there. My next play, The Afronauts, has its world premiere at the Royal Court this autumn! And on Mondays, you can get £15 tickets if you’re quick enough."
Built in 1932, the Grade II-listed Broadway Theatre in Catford has been entertaining Lewisham locals for almost a century, even hosting the likes of The Four Tops and Dizzy Gillespie, and it’s still home to the original Compton organ that was installed back in the 30s. Today the venue hosts a range of events, from drag bingo and stand-up comedy to musicals and plays.
"I grew up in Catford so when my company Nouveau Riche started putting shows on here, it was like a homecoming."
Soho Theatre on Dean Street is one of the best places to catch comedy, cabaret, panto and theatre in town. Drawing from its roots as the radical Soho Poly in the early 70s, Soho Theatre puts on a wide-ranging programme that champions voices from outside the mainstream, and includes works from emerging theatre companies, comedians, and artists making their London debuts. The theatre bar is also one of the best places for a drink in the area, and worth stopping by whether you’ve got tickets to a show or not.
"With multiple shows per night, there’s always something worth seeing at Soho Theatre. The bar is lively and the place has a great energy about it."
Underbelly Boulevard in Soho is the first permanent theatre from Underbelly, the live entertainment company known for its annual festival. Originally opened as a sister site to the Raymond Revuebar in the 1950s, it became the Boulevard Theatre in the 70s, before closing in the 1990s. After a regeneration of the Walker’s Court area, the theatre was reopened in 2019, with Underbelly taking over the operation in 2023. It’s now a hub for an eclectic programme of theatre, variety, comedy and cabaret.
"Producers Underbelly are Edinburgh Festival Fringe powerhouses. The first show I took to Edinburgh was courtesy of their Untapped programme that supports new talent. They’ve now got a London venue that programmes a similar blend to the Edinburgh experience – comedy, theatre and cabaret."
