The King's Head Theatre will be reborn with a 'soft launch' over Christmas followed by a world premiere in its new purpose-built venue.
The news follows the theatre's departure in August from the Islington pub where it was based for 53 years. Now, the charity that runs it has announced the official reopening date of January 8 in Islington Square, just behind the old venue.
But fans who want a sneak peek inside the new look theatre can book for a Christmas revival of 'drag comedy fantasia' Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho which runs from December 16-30.
Located just off Upper Street, the new King's Head has been built thanks to £800,000 from the Mayor of London's Good Growth Fund, plus money from the developers behind Islington square. It includes a 200-seat fully accessible auditorium, cafe, bar and rehearsal space, with a second bar doubling as a 50 seat cabaret, drag, comedy and events space.
The reopening play is the Exhibitionists by Shaun McKenna (The Lord of the Rings, The Forsyte Saga, Ladies in Lavender) and Andrew Van Sickle. Running from January 5 to February 10, it's a modern gay romantic comedy exploring love, betrayal and hook-ups, featuring five men in a comic web of relationships after they meet in an art gallery.
Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End; Flowers For Mrs Harris, Riverside Studios; Tick, Tick… Boom, Park Theatre) will direct, with a cast to be announced. It will be followed by Kevin Kelly's Turning The Screw. (Feb 14 - Mar 10) Directed by Highgate's own Tim McArthur, it examines British composer Benjamin Britten and his close relationship with then 12-year old actor David Hemmings in 1954.
A transfer of Silent Faces’ hit physical theatre piece Godot Is A Woman, Liebenspiel’s Late Night Week, and Above The Stag’s Eurovision Your Decision, are also due to play the venue between January and April.
Following that is farcical comedy Houdini’s Greatest Escape (May 27 - June 30) with a five-week run fresh from its UK tour, then in October, Jonathan Maitland (An Audience with Jimmy Savile, The Interview, The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson) will premiere the stage adaptation of his book How To Survive Your Mother centred around growing up in Britain's first ever gay hotel.
Executive Producer Sofi Berenger said “I’m so excited to be announcing this incredible array of artists who will be the first to perform in our brand-new space, along with many more to be announced. Across our two spaces, we’ll be able to present multiple productions per week so there will always be something to see from plays, musicals, opera, drag, cabaret, comedy, family shows, pantomime and more!”
Chair of trustees James Seabright said: “It is exciting news that the new King’s Head Theatre will open just four months after we bid farewell to its old home of 53 years next door. This has been made possible through the support of Islington Council, the Mayor of London, our former landlords Young & Co’s Brewery, and our new host Islington Square. There are still opportunities to become part of the new building by supporting our Angels of Angel production fund through sponsoring a stair and helping the charity to bring the best new theatre to Islington for years to come."
Founded in 1970 by Dan Crawford in the back room of the King's Head pub, the theatre saw early career performances from the likes of Hugh Grant, Richard E Grant, Alan Rickman and French & Saunders, and premiered work by Steven Berkoff, Tom Stoppard and Victoria Wood.
It will continue to focus on creating work by and for the LGBTQ+ community, with a renewed priority on educational and artist development programmes.
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