Southwark Playhouse

History

The Southwark Playhouse Theatre Company was founded in 1993 by Juliet Alderdice and Tom Wilson. They identified the need for a high quality accessible theatre which would also act as a major resource for the community. They leased a disused workshop in a then comparatively neglected part of Southwark and turned it into a flexible theatre space.

The theatre quickly put down strong roots in Southwark, developing an innovative, free-at-source education programme. It has worked closely with teachers, Southwark Borough Council, businesses and government agencies to improve educational achievement and raise aspirations. This programme is in great demand and attracts substantial funding each year.

Over the next fifteen years the theatre established itself as one of London's leading studio theatres, presenting high quality work by new and emerging theatre practitioners. Under successive artistic directors, Mehmet Ergen (now Artistic Director of the Arcola Theatre), Erica Whyman (subsequently Artistic Director of the Northern Stage Company and deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company), Thea Sharrock and Gareth Machin (now Artistic Director of Salisbury Playhouse), it has become an indispensable part of small-scale fringe theatre in London. Its venue hire rates remain among the lowest and therefore the most competitive in London theatre, providing the opportunity to host the best of the emerging companies based in or visiting the capital.

Southwark Playhouse has moved venues twice in its 20-year history. After leaving its original home in Southwark Bridge Road in 2006, the theatre operated in vaults beneath platform one of London Bridge railway station, accessed from Tooley Street, from 2007 until early 2013. Since early 2013 the theatre has been based at 77-85 Newington Causeway.

As of 2025 Southwark Playhouse has two venues in the Elephant & Castle area, Southwark Playhouse Borough (still based in 77-85 Newington Causeway) and Southwark Playhouse Elephant (located at Dante Place).

Since 2009, the Playhouse also offers an opportunity to develop to young people (between the age of 11 and 18) living in the areas of Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham, coming part of YoCo, their Young People Company.

The Playhouse also has an acting group for people aged 65 and over (the Elders Company) performing short plays onstage and a People's Company for anyone aged 25 or over.

Plans

In July 2012 it was announced that, due to the redevelopment of London Bridge Station, Southwark Playhouse would not be able to keep its home underneath the arches of the station. After a high-profile public campaign backed by Stephen Fry and Andy Serkis, a space was secured in the new station complex as part of a Section 106 agreement with Network Rail which will allow the theatre to return to its London Bridge premises in 2021.

Since 2013 Southwark Playhouse has been based at 77-85 Newington Causeway, in a 3-floor warehouse between Borough and Elephant and Castle tube stations. The temporary theatre, opened in May 2013, houses two performance spaces: a 240-seat main house known as the large and a 120-seat studio, 'the little'. There is also a rehearsal space and a bar/cafe area.

The original plan for the theatre was to return to its Tooley Street location once the London Bridge redevelopment was completed in 2018. As of October 2020 this has not yet happened and the temporary home on Newington Causeway remains, but a new permanent 300-seat venue on Newington Butts is currently planned to be opened by 2021, along with a secondary satellite venue at Tooley Street with two spaces holding 200 and 150 seats. Funding is still in progress for these new sites to be opened.

Controversies

In January 2019, a production of All in a Row sparked controversy over the way that an autistic person was being represented in puppet form.

Productions

Notable shows through its history are:

• Tender Napalm (2011) - play by Philip Ridley, the production then toured.

• Company (2011) – the first major musical production at the venue

• In the Heights (2014) – then transferred to the King's Cross Theatre (2015)

• Bat Boy the Musical (2015)

• Side Show (2016)

• Promises Promises and The Life (2017)

• Seussical (2018)

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (musical) (2019, 2023) – transferred to the Ambassadors Theatre (2024/25)

• The Last Five Years (2020) – then transferred to the Garrick Theatre

• Anyone Can Whistle (Apr–May 2022)

• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Borough, 2023)

• Merrily We Roll Along (Elephant, 2023)

2024

• Oct-Nov, Fly More Than You Fall (Borough), with Keala Settle
• Jul-Aug, Dorian: the Musical (Borough)
• Feb-Mar, Before After (Borough), with Grace Mouat

References

References

1. "Southwark Playhouse".
2. Gardner, Lyn. (2 August 2011). "Noises off: Don't leave Southwark Playhouse without a home". [[The Guardian]].
3. "Southwark Playhouse secures temporary home in Elephant & Castle - - News - Whatsonstage.com".
4. "Southwark Playhouse Elephant - Seating Plan, Location, Shows".
5. "Southwark Playhouse".
6. "Southwark Playhouse Young Company {{!}} Theatre and Drama Workshops, Classes, Experience".
7. Lewis, Barbara. "Southwark Playhouse Elders Company Plays for Today. Review by Barbara Lewis. – londongrip.co.uk".
8. "Participate - Southwark Playhouse".
9. Roberts, Laura. (April 12, 2012). "Stephen Fry leads campaign to keep Southwark playhouse on track".
10. [https://archive.today/20130505064903/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2012/05/southwark-playhouse-to-retain-london-bridge-hq/]
11. Trueman, Matt. (14 November 2012). "Southwark Playhouse announces details of new temporary home". The Guardian.
12. "Future Playhouse".
13. (15 February 2019). "Graeae and Hijinx criticise 'disappointing' use of puppet in autism play". The Stage.
14. (12 February 2019). "Casting a puppet as an autistic child is a grotesque step backwards".
15. "Statement from Chris Smyrnios, Artistic Director of Southwark Playhouse".
16. "Tender Napalm".
17. "Company".
18. Admin. "In the Heights – Southwark Playhouse {{!}} Musical Theatre Review".
19. (2014-05-16). "In the Heights (Southwark Playhouse)".
20. (2015-10-13). "In the Heights (King's Cross Theatre)".
21. Newman, Vicki. (November 20, 2018). "Exclusive: West End star Scott Paige on bringing Dr Seuss to life in Seussical the Musical". [[Daily Mirror]].
22. (2024-06-21). "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button musical announces complete West End cast".
23. Meyer, Dan. (March 4, 2020). "A London Revival of The Last Five Years Opens at Southwark Playhouse".
24. Benedict, David. (2020-10-09). "‘The Last Five Years’ Review: Smart Revival in London Theater Cleverly Redesigned for Social Distance".
25. Franklin, Mark J.. (September 23, 2021). "Take a Look at the West End Transfer of The Last 5 Years".