Artistic directors, theatre makers and supporters of fringe theatre from across London flocked to the Golden Goose in Camberwell on Sunday, June 1st to raise a glass and celebrate ten years of all things London Pub Theatre Magazine. It was established in 2015 by Heather Jeffery when there was no single platform to represent and celebrate this unique, vibrant part of the London theatre scene with its historic roots and diverse offer. Now, a stalwart of theatre media with a dedicated team of reviewers who cover productions the length and breadth of the capital, it even has its own awards ceremony. The London Pub Theatre & Standing Ovation Awards, started in 2017 and has become a key date for fringe theatre calendars. The contribution and vision to the theatre scene by Jeffery was crowned in 2024 with a special award at the Offies.
The joyous evening included a medley of award-winning acts. Final Curtain, a short, apocalyptic dark and funny film, about the last play at the end of the world and featured James Wren, Artistic Director of the Hen & Chickens alongside lots of eerie footage of London captured in the early hours, pre- pandemic. The auction was entertainingly orchestrated by director John Plews - with all proceeds going to the Standing Ovation Awards, 2025. A lip-smacking menu from Samuel Rawlins included an extravagant, multi-layered cake: elderflower, butter cream, vanilla sponge, cassis, strawberry matcha, sage and chocolate. The sparkling compere for the evening was impresario Matthew Parker, director, actor and theatre PR who dazzled from head to toe in silver sequins: “I looked it up. Ten years is tIn, so I’m here as the tin man” he joked.
Many of the acts, which spanned drama, operetta, and musical theatre, had been former recipients of London Pub Theatre’s Standing Ovation Awards. Áine Ryan kicked off with a powerful extract from her one woman show Kitty in the Lane (Actor’s Award, 2023) Edmund Dehn was hypnotic as Lear Alone (Actors Award, lifetime achievement, 2023) while Megan Marszal performed from her new play alongside Eleanor Baldwin, I Love You Michael, From Nadine (Her Shoes was the winner of Solo Show category, 2024) There was operetta from Take Note Theatre with an extract from the Tabard’s production of The Mikado, directed by Keith Strachan (Best Director, 2023) and lively, entertaining extracts from LAMBCO Productions including the musical comedy Tickle and The Story of My Life from Stage Door Theatre (Commendation for excellence, 2024). Additionally, the night was completed with a beautiful duet from reviewer Paula David with her daughter Georgia Bondy also on keyboard who put their own stirring and soulful spin on some classics including Cry Me a River and Feeling Good.
This was an evening for the community to come together, talk, laugh, drink and be merry, a night to reflect on the establishing of this publication but also the creativity, quality, and resilience of pub theatre. James Wren of the Hen & Chickens, who’s been making theatre for 26 years, appreciated the support of London Pub Theatres, ‘It always has your back” he said. Kate Bannister, Artistic Director of Brockley Studio who donated two free rehearsal days with a performance at Jack Studio for the auction, loved celebrating with everyone. “It was an amazing evening with theatre makers and venues from all over London. London Pub Theatres Magazine have championed the vast and varied work of pub theatres, supporting, promoting, and providing a platform for all our achievements for ten years. This was a brilliant way to not only celebrate this success but thank them for their incredible work in putting a spotlight on theatre created in these unique spaces.”
PERFORMANCES
DRAMA EDMUND DEHN extract from LEAR ALONE (Actor's Award for lifetime achievement 2023), directed by Anthony Shrubsall and produced by Sarah Lawrie for And Tomorrow Theatre Company.
NEW WRITING Áine Ryan
in an extract from her play
KITTY IN THE LANE (Actor's award 2023)
OPERETTA THE MIKADO Take Note Theatre for the Tabard proudly presents an extract from The Mikado, directed by KEITH STRACHAN (Award for Best Director 2023). Tilly Goodwin plays Yum Yum opposite Nicholas Curry as Nanki Poo, accompanied by MD Annemarie Lewis Thomas on piano and Erica Flint on flute.
NEW WRITING MEGAN MARSZAL extract from her new play I LOVE YOU MICHEL, FROM NADINE
(Award for Solo show. HER SHOES, written by the performer 2024). The piece is performed by Eleanor Balldwin as Young Nadine and Megan Marszal as Cece.
MUSICAL THEATRE Extracts from TICKLE, MARRY ME A LITTLE & THE STORY OF MY LIFE presented by STAGE DOOR THEATRE (Commendation for excellence 2024). Producer RICHARD LAMBERT, Director ROBERT MCWHIR, Musical director AARON CLINGHAM. Cast: Dereck Walker, Natalie Durkin, Owen Dennis, David Heal, Shelley Rivers and Tim Webb
FILM
FINAL CURTAIN by Alan Woollard, directed by Fergus March, starring Adam Woollard and
JAMES WREN, Artistic Director at The Hen and Chickens Theatre (Winner of Pub Theatre of the Year 2024)
GUEST SINGERS
SONGS Paula David and her daughter, Georgia Bondy, with a selection of songs. Paula is actor, singer, songwriter, and playwright, she is also a LONDON PUB THEATRES REVIEWER
SAMMY'S SCRUMPTIOUS SURPRISES by chef Samuel Rawlins
Event catering - message on what's app / 07979711263
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Heartfelt thanks to the following people. Without their support this Gala would not have been possible
Michael Kingsbury (Artistic Director at Golden Goose Theatre)
Richard Lambert
Matthew Parker
John Plews
Thanks to all the performers and to all of the directors, theatres and producers who have helped to make it happen.
Thanks also to chef Samuel Rawlins and to our front of house volunteers, Paul Maidment, Anna Rastelli & / Nilgün Yusuf for her write up of the event
