The Hope Theatre has announced details of the shows it will relaunch with this summer. Closed since March 2020, this acclaimed 50 seat pub theatre in the heart of Islington will reopen on the public on 29 June at full capacity, in accordance with the government’s roadmap.
The first production will be The Boy With The Bee Jar by John Straiton (long-listed for the 2019 Bruntwood Prize), and directed by Philip Wilson, playing until 17 July.
On a North London estate, a swarm of bees attracts an environmentally minded schoolboy. He strikes up a friendship with an old punk called Euston – the sole witness to a horrific crime – and together they play out the dark goings-on of life on the estate, and of their own fears.
Also playing from 29 June in the late evening slot is Hope Box from Blue Grass Theatre, a week of comedy celebrating live theatre and the artists that create it, with an exciting line-up of up-and-coming comedians, sketch artists, comedy actors and alternative acts.
The Hope Theatre will then host a series of shows encompassing sketch and stand-up comedy, drama, new writing and drag as part of the Camden Fringe during August, including Horrigan & Howell: A Sketch Too Far from 2-8 August, Tier Three Sisters from 9 – 15 August, Possibilities also from 10 – 15 August, Four Sisters from 16 – 19 August, Olives And Blowjobs from 20 – 22 August, Asò from 16 – 22 August, Th’wildcat Of Sheffield: Unshielded from 23 – 27 August, and Eddie Brimson: Naughty Boy from 23 – 27 August. Tickets for the Camden Fringe will go on sale from 31 May.
Kennedy Bloomer, the Artistic Director of the theatre since January 2020 said, “We’re absolutely thrilled and grateful to be able to plan to re-open in June. The Hope hasn’t been able to open since March 2020 and although we’ve managed to create online we can’t wait to be back open to a live audience again. Freelance artists need our support now more than ever and we’re as committed as ever to our Equity house agreement and supporting paid opportunities.”
Opening in 2013, The Hope Theatre was originally a sister theatre of Islington’s King’s Head Theatre, renovated from a function room above the famous Hope & Anchor pub and music venue into a black box studio theatre. The Hope Theatre has transferred two productions to the West End (Ushers to the Charing Cross Theatre and the Snoo Wilson’s Lovesong Of The Electric Bear to The Arts) and has been home to many world premieres. It also housed the professional world premiere of Joe Orton’s Fred And Madge.
The Hope Theatre is a place for audiences and companies to explore BIG ideas. It nurtures and develops new producing models, working with exciting companies to present a mix of new writing, lost gems from well-known writers, re-polished classics and innovatively staged musicals.
More details for the season can be found here
