Islington Council
Theatre and Dance
The number of theatres in Islington rivals the West End. From intimate pub venues where you can see the work of new playwrights and choreographers, to more established but no less challenging productions at the Almeida Theatre.
Top stage names frequently appear in the area, or you may see one of the first performances of an up-and-coming star! Sadler's Wells is the most famous theatre in the borough and regularly presents groundbreaking dance shows, including ballet, modern and jazz.
Close to Caledonian Road is the Pleasance London - tenth in a long line of Pleasance theatres which started in Edinburgh.
For other live performances, you could find yourself in a pub or a church, where you may come across a folk group or a heavy metal band, see a TV comedy star in the making or listen to a poetry recital
Almeida Theatre
The Almeida Theatre is a 325-seat theatre in the heart of Islington, producing a diverse range of British and international drama with some of the world's best artists. Presented in an intimate performance space, the Almeida's repertoire of new works or classicas in newly commissioned versionshas won numerous awards and transfers to London's West End.
If you live or work in the Islington area (eligible postcodes N1, N5, N6, N7, N19) you can take advantage of our £20 tickets, normally £29.50, in the opening performances of our productions. Please bring proof of your address when you collect your tickets. Call the Box Office for more details.
Opening times: Monday to Saturday (days where there is a performance) 10am - 11.30pm, 10am - 6pm (if no performance) Closed Sundays.
Almeida Street
London
N1 1TA
Tel: 020 7359 4404.
Email: info@almeida.co.uk
Barbican
Situated just outside the borough's border, the Barbican is one of London's two principal arts centres with cinemas, concert halls, galleries and two theatres - the Barbican Theatre and The Pit.
Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Tel: 020 7638 8891
Email: info@barbican.org.uk
Courtyard Theatre
The Courtyard Theatre has recently moved and has been developed within a Grade II listed building, the former public library in Pitfield Street, Hoxton. It has two spaces for productions in The Studio (seating 80) and the Main House (seating 150) with other rehearsal/hire rooms available throughout the day as well as an exhibition space. It also boasts the ambient Iambic Bar, outreaching theatre audiences to local residents and the general public. The Courtyard Theatre is also home to the accredited Court Theatre Training Company.
Bowling Green Walk
London
N1 6EU
Tel: 020 7251 6018
Email: info@thecourtyard.org.uk
Free Word Centre
The Free Word Centre is an international centre for literature, literacy and free expression. Opened in September 2009, the centre aims to push boundaries to promote the power of the written and spoken word and protect creativity and free expression by offering unique events, activities and facilities in its landmark building in Islington.
Free Word Centre
60 Farringdon Road
London
EC1R 3GA
Tel: 0207 3242 570
Email: info@freewordonline.com
Hen and Chickens
One of a number of pub-theatres in Islington, the Hen and Chicken is an intimate venue accommodating 60 people, in seats from the old music hall on Brighton Pier!
109 St Paul's Road
Highbury Corner
London
N1 2NA
Tel: 020 7704 2001
Email: felicity@henandchickens.com
Kings Head Theatre
The most distinguished of the pub-theatres, the King's Head has seen many productions transfer to the West End. Theatregoers can enjoy a full meal here before the show.
115 Upper Street
London
N1 1QW
Tel: 020 7226 1916
Email: info@kingsheadtheatre.org
Kings Place
Designed by celebrated architects Dixon-Jones, Kings Place brings together under one roof a creative hub, a dining venue, a conference and events centre. It is home to the London Sinfonietta and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Kings Place
90 York Way
London
N1 9AG
Tel: 020 7841 4860
Little Angel Theatre
The Little Angel Theatre is "the Home of British Puppetry" and one of only two building-based puppet theatres in England. For over 46 years the Little Angel Theatre has been providing high quality puppet theatre aimed at family audiences. In most recent years the theatre has developed a programme of work for younger children and adults too.
14 Dagmar Passage
Off Cross Street
London
N1 2DN
Tel: 020 7226 1787
Email: info@littleangeltheatre.com
The Nave
The Nave sits just inside Islington's border with Hackney (corner of Balls Pond and Essex Roads) and has been operating (evenings and weekends) as an arts and performance space since 2007. The nave promotes a precocious programme, including its now well-established Sunday morning family friendly chamber music concert series (with creche facilities for children who get restless and internationally regarded performers such as the Allegri and Endymion quartets).
1 St Paul’s Road
London N1 2QN
Tel: 020 7704 2158
Fax: 020 7226 2062
Email: boxoffice@thenave.org
Old Red Lion Theatre Club
Another pub-theatre, the Old Red Lion specialises in putting on the work of new writers.
St John's Street
London
ECIV 4NJ
Tel: 020 7837 7816
Pleasance Theatre
The Pleasance brings the spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to London.
41 North Road
London
N7 9DP
Tel: 020 7609 1800
Email: info@pleasance.co.uk
Rosemary Branch Theatre
The Rosemary Branch has been a place of hospitality and entertainment since early Victorian times. The pub theatre is now well established and has an eclectic programme of drama, opera, puppetry and musicals throughout the year.
The present Victorian building was renowned for its music hall. It is rumoured that Charlie Chaplin played here.
2 Shepperton Road
London
N1 3DT
Tel: 020 7704 6665
Email:cecilia@rosemarybranch.co.uk
Sadler's Wells and Lillian Baylis Theatres
Sadler’s Wells Theatre is the UK’s leading venue dedicated to international dance, presenting regular seasons of contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, flamenco and tango alongside opera and musicals. It also runs beginners dance classes and an extensive programme of education workshops.
Roseberry Avenue
London
EC1R 4TN
Tel: 0844 412 4300
Email: ticket.office@sadlerswells.com
Studio LaDanza
A venue committed to the promotion of dance, art and music. Studio LaDanza is a dancing school which offers a variety of dance classes, practices, parties and socials for all.
The venue is open seven days a week and has two beautiful studios with sprung floor, mirrors and changing facilities. It also has a designated reception area and a separate coffee and lounge zone providing a holistic, relaxing, social experience.
The school offers Ballroom and Latin primarily, but also Hip Hop and Ballet for Ballroom. Children to adults, beginners to professionals, social dancers to competitors are all welcome at the studio. The studio is instrumental in the development of same sex ballroom and latin dancing.
89 Holloway Road
London
N7 8LT
Tel: 020 7700 3770
Tower Theatre
The Tower Theatre has now relocated to:
St Bride Foundation
Bride Lane
London
EC4Y 8EQ
Tel: 020 7353 1700
Email: info@towertheatre.freeserve.co.uk
Page Last Updated: 23 December 2009