Arcola commissions and premieres exciting, original works alongside rare gems of world drama and bold new productions of classics.
Our socially-engaged, international programme champions diversity, challenges the status quo, and attracts over 65,000 people to our building each year.
Ticket prices are some of the most affordable in London, and our long-running Pay What You Can scheme ensures there is no financial barrier to accessing the theatre.
the European premiere of Lapine and Finn’s Little Miss Sunshine: A Road Musical, directed by Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen, which is now touring the UK;
the first London production in 15 years of D.H. Lawrence’s The Daughter-in-Law, directed by Associate Director Jack Gamble, which played two sold-out runs;
a new stage adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, directed by Femi Elufowoju jr (“Nothing short of spectacular, 5 stars” – The Guardian);
a contemporary staging of Benjamin Britten’s The R**e of Lucretia, directed by Julia Burbach, which won the 2019 Off West End Award for Best Opera Production.
We enable new and diverse talent.
Arcola finds, nurtures and empowers the next generation in theatre.
Since opening in 2000, we have supported thousands of artists, technicians, stage managers, producers, front-of-house staff and administrators to develop their skills and careers. Alecky Blythe, Rebecca Lenkiewicz and Barney Norris’ first plays were produced at Arcola. Arinzé Kene started acting in our youth theatre; Wunmi Mosaku made her stage debut here. Aml Ameen, Zawe Ashton, Mike Bartlett, Polly Findlay, Lucy Kirkwood, Lynette Linton, Michael Longhurst and Lindsey Turner all worked at Arcola at the start of their careers.
Our annual Grimeborn Festival unlocks opera for everybody. We give young and diverse companies a platform to embark on bold artistic ventures. Contemporary stagings and affordable ticket prices make opera accessible for the many.
Arcola’s Playwrought scheme provides opportunities for writers to develop new scripts for production, while Arcola Academyempowers young people to build their futures within the arts.
Through Arcola Lab, we offer 26 weeks of free rehearsal space every year to BAME and refugee artists. In 2017, we won the UK Theatre Award for Promotion of Diversity.
We expand opportunities for everyone to make theatre.
Arcola Participation creates over 13,500 creative opportunities every year for the people of Hackney and beyond – including through our youth theatres, courses, and pioneering Q***r, Womens’, 50+ and Mental Health community theatre companies. Every year, we showcase original productions by these companies in our Creative Disruption Festival. In 2017 we won the Adiaha Antigha Award for Most Imaginative Approach to Outreach.
We imagine and build a sustainable future.
Arcola aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral theatre. Our environmental sustainability initiatives, developed with our sister company Arcola Energy, are internationally renowned. In 2018 we won The Stage Sustainability Award in recognition of our ongoing attempts to reduce carbon emissions and raise awareness of climate emergency.
