A groundbreaking cultural institution, the King’s Head Theatre stands as London’s first pub theatre since Shakespeare’s day, creating an impressive legacy spanning over five decades. Established in 1970 by Dan Crawford, the theatre began in the back room of the King’s Head Pub on Upper Street in Islington, transforming a former boxing ring and pool hall into a vibrant performance space. Crawford purchased the furniture and stock for £1,100 and opened the venue in December 1970 with a play by Boris Vian, setting the stage for what would become a legendary theatrical establishment.
The King’s Head Theatre pioneered London’s pub theatre renaissance, transforming a humble back room into a theatrical legend.
The original venue operated for 53 years in the Victorian building behind the King’s Head Pub, a site with history dating back to 1543. After reconstruction in 2007-2008 that increased the stage size and seating capacity, the theatre continued to thrive until its closure on August 13, 2023.
The theatre reopened on January 5, 2024, in a new purpose-built space at 116 Upper Street, Islington Square, situated four stories below ground with a ground-level box office. The new location features advanced smoke ventilation systems that were carefully integrated with the larger Islington Square development.
Throughout its history, the King’s Head Theatre launched numerous successful productions, including the 1983 revival of “Mr. Cinders” which transferred to the West End and ran for 527 performances. The venue also hosted Hugh Grant’s acting debut in 1985 and premiered Tom Stoppard’s “Artist Descending a Staircase” in 1988, which later transferred to Broadway.
In 2017, both “La Boheme” and “Strangers in Between” moved to the West End, with “La Boheme” receiving an Olivier nomination.
The theatre’s leadership changed greatly after Crawford’s 35-year tenure ended with his death in 2005. Adam Spreadbury-Maher took over as Artistic Director in 2010, establishing Opera Up Close as the resident company and rebranding the venue as “London’s Little Opera House.” The theatre welcomed playwright Mark Ravenhill as Artistic Director in 2021, who helped celebrate the venue’s 50th anniversary milestone.
Now in its new home with a 270-seat main auditorium, the King’s Head Theatre continues its tradition of nurturing new talent and innovative work, with 53 steps in the new venue symbolizing its 53 years of groundbreaking productions. The theatre maintains its commitment to LGBTQ+ storytelling while embracing productions that challenge traditional narratives across various performance styles.
