The Cockpit, in collaboration with VAULT Creative Arts, has announced that The Highgate Vampire will be the inaugural Stephen Joseph Transfer, running from 28 January to 1 February 2026.
This new initiative offers one standout company from The Glitch’s spring season a week-long slot at The Cockpit to further develop and present their work in-the-round.
The programme is designed to support artists who show exceptional promise in the format and would benefit from scaling up to a larger venue.
Alongside the performance slot, the selected company receives a week of free rehearsal space at The Glitch, mentorship from Dave Wybrow (Artistic Director at The Cockpit), and production support from Oli Savage (Artistic Director at VAULT Creative Arts).
The Cockpit, with its 220-seat capacity, is London’s largest in-the-round theatre, while The Glitch, with just 50 seats, is one of the smallest. Together, they aim to champion early-career artists and promote the unique intimacy and dynamism of in-the-round theatre.
The programme is named in honour of Stephen Joseph, a pioneer of in-the-round theatre in the UK, and is also supported by the Stephen Joseph Committee, a sub-committee of the Association of British Theatre Technicians.
Dave Wybrow said:
“Theatre in the round was the heart of Stephen Joseph’s mission: The same goes for The Glitch and The Cockpit. As theatre in the round enjoys a new wave of popularity, we’re two venues excited to offer a developmental opportunity focused on optimising the form and up-skilling practitioners. The Stephen Joseph Transfer will bring London more and better in-the-round shows. Verve and entertainment – with the power to change lives and the world. Intimate – in a big way. Amphitheatrical – but also a theatre of action.”
Alex Knott, Director of Bag of Beard, said:
“Bag of Beard are beyond thrilled to have been selected for the first Stephen Joseph Transfer! The Highgate Vampire was our first experience working in the round, and to begin with we couldn’t imagine how a play that is partially a ‘scientific lecture’ could work with the audience on all sides. But throughout rehearsals, working at The Glitch and trying the play in front of an audience, we discovered a love for the form and are absolutely delighted to be taking the show to The Cockpit! What a fantastic opportunity.”
The Highgate Vampire is a riotous new dark comedy set in 1970s London, blending horror and humour in a tale of supernatural mystery and eccentric demon hunters.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
