The King’s Head Theatre in North London has revealed its first season in its new venue in Islington Square.
The 200 seat new theatre will officially open on 8 January 2024 with the world premiere production of Shaun McKenna and Andrew Van Sickle’s gay romcom Exhibitionists, directed by Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, Flowers for Mrs Harris), with previews from 5 January, and booking to 10 February 2024.
Unofficially, in December 2023 the venue will host a revival of comedy Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho, by Jon Brittain and Matt Tedford, from 16 to 30 December.
The new King’s Head Theatre, designed by architect Graham Currie of ISA, is situated just behind the original pub theatre on Upper Street in Islington, which closed in August 2023. The 200-seater is accompanied by rehearsal spaces, and two bars which also switch into a 50-seater cabaret space.
They announced in July this year the planned move into the new building, which was originally scheduled for 2022.
Programming of the new venue is by Executive Producer and acting CEO Sofi Berenger. Previous artistic directors of the King’s Head include Dan Crawford (founder), Stephanie Crawford, Adam Spreadbury-Maher, Hannah Price and Mark Ravenhill. Price and Ravenhill were appointed in August 2021 as joint artistic directors, but both left in June 2022 – Price stepping down and Ravenhill going on sick leave. It was confirmed in June 2023 that Ravenhill had formerly stepped down from the post.
The venue said in a statement that they will “continue to focus on creating work with, by and for the LGBTQ+ community, with a renewed priority on community, educational and artist development programmes.”
Other shows coming up at the King’s Head in 2024 include Turning the Screw by Kevin Kelly, and directed by Tim McArthur. The show takes a look at composer Benjamin Britten and his relationship with 12-year old actor David Hemmings, and runs from 14 February to 10 March 2024.
Also physical theatre show Godot is a Woman from Silent Faces, from 9 January to 3 February 2024; Liebenspiel’s Late Night Week from 26 February to 2 March 2024, featuring unique comedy and formats; a revival of Above The Stag’s Eurovision Your Decision from 29 April to 11 May 2024; and comedy Houdini’s Greatest Escape from New Old Friends, from 27 May to 30 June 2024.
In October 2024 comes a stage adaptation of Jonathan Maitland’s book How to Survive Your Mother, about Jonathan’s relationship with his mother, and growing up in Britain’s first ever gay hotel, from 23 October to 24 Novemner 2024.
Executive Producer and acting CEO Sofi Berenger said in a statement: “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 for our first year. 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 at the new King’s Head Theatre!”
Producer James Seabright, who is Chair of Trustees of the King’s Head, 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 and our key funders the Mayor of London through Round Three of his Good Growth Fund, our former landlords Young & Co’s Brewery, and our new host Islington Square. All the trustees are indebted to these partners and the dedicated work of Sofi Berenger and her staff team. 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.”
London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, said: “I’m delighted that, as a result of support and investment from the Mayor of London, the King’s Head Theatre has an exciting new home. The King’s Head Theatre is a hugely important space for the capital, giving opportunities for creatives and artists to grow, develop and learn; while their programming and productions serve as inspiration for theatres around the world. The new venue will help to nurture the next generation of creative talent, providing a platform for innovative theatre-makers, as we build a better London for all.”
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