Theatre Companies and Performing Arts VenuesThe Old Vic
The Old Vic is London's repertory theatre, which opened its doors in 1818, and served as a temperance amusement hall before becoming the only permanent Shakespearean theatre in London.
The Old Vic
Tel: 020 7928 2651
 www.oldvictheatre.com
The Cut
London
SE1 8NB
Tube: Lambeth, Southwark, Waterloo
The Blue Elephant Theatre
The Blue Elephant Theatre aims to produce work that promotes political issues. Since it opened in 1999, the theatre has welcomed artists from many different backgrounds, pulling in diverse audiences. The theatre also runs arts learning projects that focus on helping young people overcome social, physical, and economic barriers.
Blue Elephant Theatre
Tel: 020 7701 0100
www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk
59a Bethwin Road
Camberwell
London
SE5 0XT
Tube: Oval
Box Clever
Box Clever is a writer led multidisciplinary company that creates contemporary theatre with and for young people. The touring programme to schools comprises new writing on life issues. The company is also a partner in the development of social and environmental projects.
Box Clever
Tel: 020 7357 0550
www.boxclevertheatre.com
12.G.1 The Leathermarket
Weston Street
London
SE1 3ER
Tube: London Bridge
In Toto Theatre
In Toto Theatre are a visual theatre company using a multi-sensory approach to create highly accessible theatre for children and family audiences, which transcends cultural and language barriers, using a combination of puppetry, live music, storytelling and dance.
In Toto Theatre
Tel: 020 7261 1515
www.in-tototheatre.co.uk
The Columbo Centre
34-68 Colombo Street
London
SE1 8DP
Tube: Southwark
London Bubble
With its innovative and versatile play list, the London Bubble aims to include among its audiences and participants those who have never experienced theatre.
London Bubble
Tel: 020 7237 4434
www.londonbubble.org.uk
5 Elephant Lane
London
SE16 4JD
Tube: Rotherhithe, Canada Water, Bermondsey
Menier Chocolate Factory
The former chocolate factory has kept its 19th century building fixtures, lending this arts complex its quirky appeal. The factory now houses an exhibition space, restaurant, theatre, and rehearsal space.
Menier Chocolate Factory
Tel: 020 7907 7060
www.menierchocolatefactory.com
51/53 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RU
Tube: London Bridge
Theatre Peckham
This theatre company and arts education project started in 1985 as a development programme. Most of its projects are aimed at children and young people, providing a place where they can fulfil theatrical ambitions without the traditional high cost of theatre and performance arts.
Theatre Peckham
Tel: 020 7708 5401
www.theatrepeckham.co.uk
Havil Street
London
SE5 7SD
Tube: Oval, take bus 436
The Pacific Playhouse
The Pacific Playhouse site was originally an industrial machine shop. A Filipino Christian Church used the space for a number of years and when they moved Mehmet Ergen and two friends took over the space for their playhouse. This was eventually taken over by a charitable theatre company and Mehmet Ergan moved on to set up the highly acclaimed Arcola Theatre in North London.
When the charitable company announced that they intended to move, the idea to have a London showcase for the performing arts of the Pacific was suggested by Michael Noonan.
Michael Noonan is a distinguished New Zealand writer, director and performer, in theatre and television and is Artistic Advisor for this exciting new venture. The venue owner, Philip Thwaites, has in the past worked as an actor/manager. He returns to the theatre after a “short break” of some 30 years.
The Pacific Playhouse
info@pacificplayhouse.com
www.pacificplayhouse.com
6 Playhouse Court
62 Southwark Bridge Road
Bankside
London
SE1 0AT
Tube: Borough
The Oval House
The Oval House theatre prides itself on an open environment, and produces theatre intervention exercises along with traditional performances.
The theatre also runs arts education programmes that teach music, street dance, theatre and song to children and disadvantaged young people.
Oval House
Tel: 020 7582 7680
www.ovalhouse.com
52-54 Kennington Oval
London
SE11 5SW
Tube: Oval
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
 A replica of the original theatre, once inside it's easy to imagine what it would have been like to see a play in Shakespeare's time. Stand up or sit down to watch productions in the open air space, and you're so close to the stage you can practically touch the players. The Globe also offers literacy workshops, and courses for teachers, students, and the general public.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Tel: 020 7902 1400
www.shakespeares-globe.org
New Globe Walk
London
SE1 9DT
Tube: Cannon Street, London Bridge, Mansion House
Shunt Vaults
This theatre and artists' collective is a magical, dusty venue beneath London Bridge Station. It has won a Time Out Live Award, and produces innovative work in conjunction with the National Theatre.
Shunt Vaults
Tel: 020 7452 3388
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Joiner Street
London
SE1 9BG
Tube: London Bridge
Southwark Playhouse
This innovative theatre was formed when artists set out to create a unique and bustling South London venue. It is currently relocating to a new site near London Bridge station. The Southwark Playhouse provides education programmes for all ages, along with quality dramatic productions.
Southwark Playhouse
Tel: 020 7620 3494
www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Administrative base
60 Great Suffolk Street
London
SE1 0BL
The Lions Part
The Lions Part has an interest in all aspects of theatre, particularly verse drama. The company has performed in theatres, royal palaces, castle ruins, food markets, streets, parks, museums and art galleries. Its seasonal based festivals are a regular feature on Southwark's bankside. The Lions Part also has a thriving interactive workshop programme designed for schools.
The Lions Part
Tel: 020 7635 8101
www.thelionspart.co.uk
19 Clifton Crescent
London
SE15 2RK
 The Young Vic
One goal of The Young Vic is to be a place that young theatre artists, particularly directors, call home. The theatre showcases both old and contemporary classic plays, integrating young artists with experienced professionals.
The Young Vic
Tel: 020 7922 2922
www.youngvic.org
66 The Cut
London
SE1 8UZ
Tube: Oval
Unicorn Theatre
The Unicorn are now based in its new world-class theatre centre in the heart of London. It is comprised of two theatre spaces (the Weston Theatre and the Clore Theatre), education studio, cafe and other welcoming areas for families and schools. On the south bank of the Thames, this new theatre will enrich the lives of over 100,000 children, their families and teachers every year.
Unicorn Theatre
Tel: 0870 0534534
admin@unicorntheatre.com
www.unicorntheatre.com
147 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2HZ
Union Theatre
The Union Theatre predominantly showcases fringe theatre pieces and new writing, but also helps children and young adults produce their own work.
Union Theatre
Tel: 020 7261 9876
www.uniontheatre.org
Union Street
London
SE1 0LX
Tube: Southwark, Waterloo
Find out more
Contact us
Arts and heritage team
Tel: 020 7525 2000
artsadmin@southwark.gov.uk
Chatelaine House
186 Walworth Road
London
SE17 1JJ |