Since it was established 25 years ago Southwark Playhouse has occupied a series of temporary venues and has been campaigning extensively for a secure home. Today the theatre announces plans to finally set down permanent roots in the borough of Southwark.
The ambitious and inspiring new plans will give the theatre the opportunity to operate without the threat of being evicted from its premises for the first time in its history. As a result, it will continue its wide-ranging programme of new writing, classic plays and musicals and – crucially – its vital free-at-source youth, community and development programmes including its thriving Young Company, Elders Company and schools projects.
The plans will include moving to two new venues by the end of 2019: a flagship venue in Elephant and Castle and a satellite venue back within the arches of London Bridge Station as part of the new station redevelopment. Both venues will operate at the same time under the name Southwark Playhouse and will be run by the current Southwark Playhouse team, led by Artistic Director Chris Smyrnios.
Southwark Playhouse – Elephant will be Southwark Playhouse’s brand new flagship venue on Newington Butts in Elephant and Castle – 5 minutes from its current home on Newington Causeway, with a 125-year lease. Part of a new mixed-use development designed by Rogers, Stirk Harbour and Partners, it will have a 300-seat flexible theatre space dedicated to high profile plays and musicals. As well as the main space there will be a secondary studio space specifically for youth, community and development work.
The initial plans for Southwark Playhouse – Elephant were designed by Foster Wilson Architects and the fit-out is scheduled to take place over the next year, with an opening date in 2019. At a cost of £3m, approximately a third of the funds have already been raised with the remainder being actively sought over the next year to complete this ambitious project, which will secure the future of Southwark Playhouse for generations to come.
Southwark Playhouse – London Bridge will be Southwark Playhouse’s satellite venue as part of the new London Bridge station redevelopment. It will be located at 10 Bermondsey Street in arches on the site of the former Southwark Playhouse on the corner of Tooley St. and Bermondsey St. The new theatre space will occupy five arches and have two flexible performance spaces with 200 and 150 seats respectively.
It will be used to nurture and promote work by new and emerging practitioners and will have a dedicated rehearsal space. The London Bridge home is also due to open in 2019 and is part of a Section 106 agreement with Network Rail, which came about after the theatre’s successful 2012 campaign backed by Stephen Fry and Andy Serkis to retain a home within the new station. Southwark Playhouse – London Bridge is being designed by Tim Greatrex Architects and Hellicar Studio, whose recent projects include the award-winning House of Vans London project at Waterloo.
