Hampstead Theatre

Hampstead Theatre

Hampstead Theatre has been in the vanguard of new writing for 40 years, and its work places it at the heart of contemporary theatre. Under the present Artistic Director, Jenny Topper, the Theatre’s success has continued unabated with 107 plays presented during the last 11 years.

Twenty eight of these have gone to a further life in the West End or on tour throughout the country; actors and writers in these shows have earned between them some 33 awards and there have been numerous spin-offs from film, television, and foreign productions.

Designed by award-winning architects Bennetts Associates, the new theatre is the first standalone producing theatre to be built in the capital since the National in 1976.

Funding reached over £15m following a £9.86m National Lottery grant from the Arts Council of England. Further funds were raised by an appeal campaign featuring celebrity supporters such as Ewan McGregor, Kathy Burke and Prunella Scales.

The Theatre has an international reputation both for its development work with emerging writers and for its high production values achieved on tight budgets. Alongside its productions, Hampstead’s vital education work has taken the Theatre into the community, nurturing and developing a range of theatre skills in young people and adults.

see pictures from the launch