The owners of Islington's famous Hope & Anchor have pledged it will continue as a pub theatre - despite the resignation of its entire management board.
The Grade II listed Upper Street venue was already a world famous music pub when the 50-seat theatre was founded in an upstairs room in 2013.
For the last decade it has been run by Solar Plexus Productions, but the board has now resigned in a dispute over who will take over as new artistic director.
They say they had chosen their own candidate but the pub's landlord, who has never previously been involved in running the theatre, put forward someone else they had no confidence in.
The Hope Theatre's interim director Ella Bloom will now oversee a transition period and the shows that have been programmed between now and June will go ahead.
The Victorian pub dates back to 1880 and is owned by Greene King. A spokesperson said they remain committed to the companies who are scheduled to perform in the coming months.
“We have seen reports that suggest the multi award winning Hope Theatre will close, however we would like to confirm that we have no intention to do this," they said.
"The Hope Theatre is a place for artists to thrive and its commitment to artists is of paramount importance to us as we enter this new phase in 2024 and beyond.
“The Board of Solar Plexus Productions, who have presided over the venue for almost 10 years, are indeed leaving, however we have no intention to close the theatre.
"We understand how much The Hope Theatre means to our brilliant community and we are very proud of that. We thank the Board of Solar Plexus Productions for their help and we will continue our good work sticking to the principles and format that we have always held dear since we started The Hope Theatre 11 years ago.
"The future is very exciting as we look to grow the wonderful theatre based in our pub and build on its past successes."
In a statement the board said they have resigned "after being unable to reach an agreement with the pub in which the theatre is located".
"Artistic Director Phil Bartlett announced his intention to step down last November. After a wide search, a new candidate was chosen to take on the role with an expected start date in early March. However, after lengthy discussions with the pub it became clear there was no chance of an agreement on the future direction of the theatre. This made the position of the board as an independent charity untenable. The board will therefore step down from their position and dissolve Solar Plexus Productions."
Adam Spreadbury-Maher founded The Hope as an extension to the King's Head pub theatre also on Upper Street, and over the years it has scored success with shows such as Ushers the FOH Musical, 21 Round For Christmas, the world premiere of Joe Orton's Fred and Madge, Lovesong of the Electric Bear, and Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story.
The Hope's new season opens on March 12 with Cold, Dark Matters, a black comedy about isolated rural life and the murky underwaters of a Cornish community, and also includes family drama Mother of Exiles (April 9 – 13), about a young woman who buys a Brooklyn bar.
In the 1970s the Hope&Anchor's basement was the scene of legendary 'pub rock' gigs including The Clash, The Cure, The Jam, The Police, Dire Straits, The Specials, The Stranglers, The Damned, Eurythmics, Elvis Costello and Madness.
In 1977 you could have seen Dire Straits, Tom Robinson and XTC play for £1 as part of The Front Row Festival which was recorded as a live double album.
The night Joy Division played their debut London show in 1978, frontman Ian Curtis had his first epileptic fit as he returned home from the gig.
U2, wrongly promoted as 'The U2's' played in April 1979 at the bargain ticket price of 75p but could only muster nine paying customers among an audience of press and record company execs. The gig ended early when The Edge broke a string and left the stage.
The Stranglers and Elvis Costello also recorded live albums here and Madness shot their video to "One Step Beyond" at the pub, which also featured in 1980 film Breaking Glass.
The venue even inspired a song – Splodgenessabounds' cult hit 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please' - apparently an ode to the futility of trying to get served at the bar.
The pub continues to run as a major fringe music venue with a rosta of punk indie and rock gigs.
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