ROUND UP OF 2023
THE HIGHLIGHTS
With around 130,000 visitors to the magazine in 2023, we take a look back at the major events of the year. Firstly, the most read stories.
MOST READ
In 2023 there were over 40,000 views of LPT reviews, with What’s on pages, Standing Ovation nominations and theatre industry opportunities being the next most popular. The most read interview was Sammy Trotman on her anti-psychiatric satire ‘That’s Not My Name’ . The most read Theatre profile was The Hen and Chickens which includes an archive interview with Artistic Director, James Wren (we’ll be publishing an update in the 2024). The most read article was perennial favourite ‘Plays set in a Pub', by playwright David Weir.
HIGHLIGHTS
Here below is month by month of the most memorable stories.
FEBRUARY
THREE MONTH RESIDENCY at OLD RED LION THEATRE
Singer and Actor Collette Cooper brought her show TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY for an unprecedented three-month residency at Old Red Lion pub theatre. Back by popular demand after a sold out first run at the venue, Cooper won plaudits for her embodiment of the psychedelic rock idol, including winning LPT Standing Ovation Award for solo show written by the performer.
UPSTAIRS AT THE GATHOUSE DIRECTORS, JOHN AND KATIE PLEWS ANNOUNCED THEIR PLANS TO LEAVE at the END OF FEBRUARY with NEW DIRECTORS APPOINTED
Artistic Director John Plews and Producer Katie Plews announced their retirement from running the Gatehouse. Having opened the theatre in 1998 with their company OVATION, they excelled at musical theatre. John and Katie are still happily involved, as they own the lease to the Gatehouse. Their former theatre manager, Annlouise Butt and her partner Isaac Bernier-Doyle took over the management of the theatre with their production company CHROMOLUME on 1 March. The pair are continuing the historic programming policy with mainly musical theatre and political plays.
PUB THEATRE WINNERS ANNOUNCED at OFF WEST END AWARDS held at ALEXANDRA PALACE THEATRE
Pub theatres won both major awards, people’s vote awards and a fringe festival award. In addition, Directors John and Katie Plews were honoured for their work at Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
'Ten Days in a Madhouse' by So It Goes Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre won two awards: Sound Design (Calum Perrin) and Video Design (Douglas Baker)
'La Maupin' by Fantastic Garlands at Lion and Unicorn Theatre won New Musical (Olivia Thompson)
'Bacon' by Sophie Swithinbank at Finborough Theatre won two awards: Director (Matthew Iliffe) and Lead Performance (Corry Montague-Sholay and William Robinson)
Several pub theatres won Offies people’s vote: Drayton Arms Theatre for ‘Foodie Experience’; Baron’s Court Theatre for ‘Most welcoming’, and Jack Studio Theatre for ‘Social media presence and activities’.
In the fringe festival awards, Threedumb Theatre won an OffFest for Dog/Actor at Etcetera Theatre.
Image: Ten Days in a Madhouse
MARCH
THEATRE503: ROXY COOK ANNOUNCED WINNER OF INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING AWARD
Roxy Cook’s A WOMAN WALKS INTO A BANK was announced (in March) as winner of the 2023 THEATRE503 PLAYWRITING AWARD. The show was produced at Theatre503 21 Nov – 15 Dec and received multiple four- and five-star reviews. The entire run was sold out and had to be extended to meet the box office demand. It received several OFFIE nominations and a Standing Ovation Award nomination.
ROSEMARY BRANCH: OPENED A NEW FESTIVAL CELEBRATING WOMEN
A brand new festival of women, LOOK FOR THE WOMAN, opened in March at the Islington pub theatre, fondly known as the Rosie. Held in honour of International Women's Day (8 March), it brought together some of the best woman-led clowning and comedy, plus the London Premiere of an original piece of theatre to celebrate, interrogate and explore all things femme and female.
APRIL
OBITUARY: FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BARONS COURT THEATRE, RON PHILLIPS
Ron Phillips ran the theatre with Christian Deal until the pandemic. Prior to founding Barons Court Theatre, Ron was club secretary of Queens Park Rangers 1966 – 1989, pictured here on the far left when QPR won the third division Championship. With great kindness and leadership, he gave countless opportunities to emerging and early career artists during his tenure. Amy Winehouse, Eddie Redmayne, Sarah Kestelman, Sheila Atim and Amy Molloy are but a few of the artists who presented their work at the Barons Court Theatre as emerging artists.
Image: PUSSYCAT IN MEMORY OF DARKNESS at Finborough Theatre (March - April) / A new Ukrainian play by Neda Nezhdana
FINBOROUGH THEATRE OFFERS ARTISTIC SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE
Through its #VoicesFromUkraine series, the Finborough Theatre made a stand in artistic solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Artistic Director Neil McPherson said: "We are committed to raising public awareness of the invasion for as long as the war continues".
BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE TOUR PANTO IN THE PUBS
The Bridge House Theatre team joined up with Fuller’s to tour PANTO IN THE PUB at Easter, delighting audiences with their performance of MOTHER GOOSE – an Easter-themed pantomime for all the family. The colourful extravaganza was hosted by 12 Fuller’s pubs, from London to Liphook.
MAY
WHITE BEAR THEATRE SHOWS TRANSFER TO WEST END / TOUR DURING 2023
Three shows which opened at WHITE BEAR THEATRE, went on to larger theatres and to number one tours in 2023: DOM directed by Michael Kingsbury (Theatre Royal and The Other Palace Studio); JUMPING THE SHARK by David Kantor & Michael Kingsbury (tour, including 1100 seat Orchard Theatre and 1400 seat Queens Theatre) and I FOUND MY HORN (Riverside Studios). The first two shows are notable for being premieres as it’s extremely rare for new writing to go on tour or get to the West End. Read more >
JULY
ETCETERA THEATRE IN CAMDEN UNDER THREAT OF CLOSURE
The cost-of-living crisis with bills and rent increase put one pub theatre in danger of closure by the end of the year. Following a campaign highlighting the crisis, with a newly redeveloped website and an exceptional outreach programme,
Etcetera is continuing to recover. As an independent venue, Etcetera offers an open booking policy to emerging artists, helping them on their journeys, with accessible rates and a theatre platform in an ever more gentrified London.
Since its foundation in 1986, this award-winning theatre has become one of the milestone venues of the London fringe circuit. A visit here is considered essential viewing for audiences; it’s where the talent of the future stops en route to making it big in the industry. Shows have transferred to some of the country's top venues, including the Royal Court, Arcola, Trafalgar Studios, the Bush, Hampstead Theatre, the BAC and Riverside Studios.
Visit Etcetera Theatre website to book shows, hire the venue and make donations.
17th CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL OPENS 31 July - 27 August
Since 2006 the Camden Fringe has hosted new and experimental theatre and comedy performances by emerging artists across North London. This year there were nearly 300 shows on sale across 24 venues.
Ten pub theatres took part including Etcetera Theatre where Camden fringe started back in 2004. Another pub theatre who took part, The Hen and Chickens Theatre in Islington, had the largest number of shows to choose from with a whopping 42 shows. Other pub theatres involved included Canal Cafe Theatre in Little Venice, Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town, Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate, Rosemary Branch in Haggerston and The Hope Theatre in Islington.
AUGUST
KING’S HEAD THEATRE CONFIRMS MOVE FROM PUB THEATRE TO NEW SPACE IN ISLINGTON SQUARE
The King’s Head Theatre charity announced the closure of their home of 53 years on 13 August 2023. The theatre will reopen at the custom-built new theatre immediately behind the existing venue in Islington Square, January 2024. The new venue has a 200-seat auditorium and a 50-seat cabaret space.
A tribute to the former Artistic Directors of the theatre was made, praising Dan Crawford (founder), Stephanie Crawford, Adam Spreadbury-Maher and Mark Ravenhill who were integral to the theatre’s reputation as a breeding ground of new talent. The theatre helped to launch the careers of Maureen Lipman, Hugh Grant, Richard E Grant, Steven Berkoff, Tom Stoppard, Joanna Lumley, Bryony Lavery and Victoria Wood. Many of the pub theatre’s productions transferred to the West End including Mr Cinders, Wonderful Town, Artist Descending a Staircase, Vieux Carre and Coming Clean. In 2010, KHT won an Olivier Award for Best New Opera for La Boheme. The theatre also co-produced the immersive show Trainspotting Live which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Acclaimed for its work developing theatre directors, through its Trainee Resident Director Scheme which was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for contribution to the Arts.
The new theatre opens with the world premiere of Exhibitionists by Shaun McKenna and Andrew Van Sickle (previews from 5 January 2024). The full programme of shows can be viewed on the King’s Head website www.kingsheadtheatre.com
SEPTEMBER
Image: Agatha at Theatre503
SHOWS AT THEATRE503 NOMINATED FOR THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2023
Two creatives working on shows at THEATRE503 were shortlisted for The Stage Debut Awards: CARLY BROWNBRIDGE was nominated BEST DESIGNER for AGATHA. ZAK ZARAFSHAN was nominated BEST WRITER for THE BOYS ARE KISSING.
The Stage Debut Awards are annual awards celebrating the best emerging theatre talent in the UK. This year 45 nominations were made across 8 categories celebrate an array of talented individuals from performers to composers and designers through to writers, lyricists and directors.
Images: Are you Lovin' it? by GUMBO Theatre
BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE: CLAPHAM FRINGE EXPANDS TO INCLUDE TWO NEW VENUES AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
Now in its 8th critically acclaimed Year, this year it included companies from across the globe, and an expansion from one to three venues to include Two Brewers and the Railway Tavern. Highlights included Japanese Theatre Group GUMBO'S surreal satire ‘Are You Lovin’ It?’, winner of "Media Pick" at Edmonton Fringe, "Best of Fest" at San Diego Fringe, "Best Ensemble" in New York City and more. Further international work included ‘A Scar Is Born’ by Lorelei Zarifian, which originated in the US - a cycle of songs recounting life in Marseille, Paris, New York and Florida, intertwined with sketches about the absurdity of modern existence.
LONDON PUB THEATRE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The London Pub Theatres Awards 2023 were held at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate Sunday 22 October. Over 140 guests packed out the venue in a joyful evening celebrating outstanding achievements in the pub theatre environment.
PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR is awarded to BROCKLEY JACK THEATRE led by Artistic Director KATE BANNISTER & Theatre Manager KARL SWINYARD
For their consistently adventurous and successful programming, the warm welcome and knowledgeable assistance they provide to all visiting companies, and for outstanding technical innovation
Exceptional work at this venue also won them a Standing Ovation Award for Best Production Values for their in-house Christmas show A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
EDMUND DEHN receives ACTORS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
For his excellent as an actor and his recent starring role in LEAR ALONE at Golden Goose Theatre and Edinburgh fringe - the play was dedicated to raising funds for the homeless in partnership with CRISIS UK
In addition
Edmund has been involved with more Finborough Theatre productions than any other actor and starred in their first ever show, Joe, in 1980, along with June Abbott and David Purcell. He has also appeared in many other pub theatres including the Hope Theatre and Barons Court. His most recent role was as Thomas Hardy in 'What I Really Think of My Husband' at Golden Goose Theatre 21 Nov - 2 Dec 2023.
DECEMBER
MULTI-AWARD-WINNING SHOW ‘BACON’, WHICH PREMIERIED AT THE FINBOROUGH, COMPLETES A MAJOR TOUR
BACON by Sophie Swithinbank which premiered at Finborough Theatre toured London, Edinburgh & Bristol during the summer before transferring to Off Broadway. Winner of the Tony Craze Award and three Off-West End Awards, it also garnered two London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Awards in 2022 for best production (premiere) and duologue (actors Corey Montague-Sholay and William Robinson). The tour was presented by HFH Productions.
NEW PUB THEATRE SET TO OPEN IN THE WEST END JANUARY 2024
Robert McWhir has been appointed Artistic Director of new 200 seat West End pub theatre venue THE STAGE DOOR, above the Prince of Wales pub on Drury Lane. McWhir was previously Artistic Director of the Landor Theatre in Clapham for 16 years, where his many productions included critically acclaimed versions of The Clockmaker’s Daughter, She Loves Me, The Man Inside, Meet Me In St Louis, A Class Act, Curtains, Ragtime, Tomorrow Morning, Into The Woods, I Love You Because and Follies. The new pop-up fringe dinner-theatre venue is to be managed by award winning Lambco Productions.
The full line up of shows can be viewed on The Stage Door website
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
We are very proud to announce that LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE is now an OFFIE AWARD WINNING publication
A ONEOFF Special Award has been awarded to London Pub Theatres Magazine and Editor Heather Jeffery for providing a vital forum for highlighting the excellent work that happens in rooms in pubs, with sensitive editing, and an acute sense of the importance of tiny fringe venues to the health and development of British Theatre