As The Glass Menagerie closes to sold-out houses and record-breaking sales, The Yard Theatre has announced its final events before closing for a major redevelopment.
The Hackney Wick venue, recently awarded the Critics’ Circle Empty Space Peter Brook Award for most innovative venue, will host two final events: The Next Act on 8 May and Final Call on 17 May.
The Next Act — 8 May 2025
The Next Act is a one-night-only fundraising event to support The Yard’s future.
The evening includes a panel discussion on grassroots theatre featuring actor Ben Whishaw (Paddington Bear, This is Going to Hurt), playwright Vinay Patel (The Cherry Orchard, One Day), and The Yard’s Founder & Artistic Director Jay Miller.
Guests will also enjoy a performance of The Glass Menagerie, alongside appearances from Frankie Thompson, Shakona Fire, and Yard Young Artist alum Heavadny Johnson.
The event launches a major fundraising campaign, with an auction and raffle already open to the public. Prizes include a year of press nights across London, Tottenham Hotspur hospitality tickets, a signed Arsenal shirt, dinner at St. John, and memorabilia such as a vase glazed with fragments of The Yard Theatre.
Funds raised will support The Yard’s work with artists, young people, and the local community.
Final tickets are on sale now at theyardtheatre.co.uk/events/the-next-act
Auction: uk.givergy.com/thenextact
Final Call — 17 May 2025
Final Call is the last public event in The Yard’s current building — a farewell party celebrating 14 years of groundbreaking theatre.
Hosted by Rachel Mars (Your Sexts are Shit) and Nick Cassenbaum (Revenge: After the Levoyah), the night features an auction of Yard memorabilia and love letters to the theatre from artists including James Fritz, Taio Lawson, Josh Azouz, Vinay Patel, Sarah Kosar, Lucy Nurnberg, Dipo Baruwa-Etti, Cécile Trémolières, and Sami Ibrahim.
The evening continues with a cabaret hosted by drag artist Séayoncé, featuring performances from Brian Lobel, Frankie Thompson, and Pecs Drag Kings, plus DJs until close.
Tickets are available now at theyardtheatre.co.uk/events/final-call
Stay until the end. Because once you leave, that’s it.
