WE WANT TO ENTERTAIN WITH ORIGINALITY
Hampstead Theatre was born in a humble hut sixty years ago. Our mission was to create original theatre without creative restriction. We quickly attracted a generation of talent that helped to redefine British Theatre. From Harold Pinter testing out his early plays here to the likes of Mike Leigh, Michael Frayn and Terry Johnson – and more recently Beth Steele, Ruby Thomas, Nell Leyshon and Roy Williams, all premiering their work here.
We are still driven by the same ambition. To challenge, influence and shape the future of British theatre. To create the future mainstream – entertaining experiences that are original and ambitious. But our circumstances have changed.
We recently received the devastating news that 100% of our Arts Council grant will be cut from next year, so we are making plans to adapt and continue without that support. Out of necessity, for a period of time, our programming will include a mix of commercial and new writing until we can find our feet again.
Our home is one of London’s best state-of-the-art theatres. Purpose built for the 21st century to allow our writers, actors, directors and producers maximum creative flexibility. Our ambitions are big despite our circumstances. We aim to move theatre forwards with new ideas, talent and energy to excite our audiences with the lateral, the fresh and the unexpected. It’s part of our belief that innovation, reinvention and surprise are the lifeblood of true entertainment.
So we will not be deterred. We will adapt. The show will go on.
So how can you support us? Our answer is this: come and see one of our plays, support our writers by buying a ticket or take out a Friends membership, or make a donation via our development team.
Irene Dorner, Chair, Hampstead Theatre
RECENT AWARDS
Monique Touko wins Best Director for Malindadzimu at the The Stage Debut Awards 2022
Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Caroline, or Change nominated for Best Musical Revival Olivier's 2019
Sharon D. Clarke nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for Caroline, or Change Oliviers 2019
Fly Davis nominated for Best Costume Design for Caroline, or Change Oliviers 2019
Ella Road's The Phlebotomist (Downstairs 2018) nominated for an Olivier Award 2019
Moe Bar-El in Every Day I Make Greatness Happen (Downstairs 2018) nominated for an Olivier Award 2019
Ella Road nominated for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize 2019 for The Phlebotomist
Georgia Christou is nominated for Best Writer for Yous Two at The Stage Debut Awards 2018
Rajiv Joseph's Describe the Night wins Best New American Play at the Obie Awards 2018
Dry Powder by Sarah Burgess nominated for Best New Comedy at The Olivier Awards 2018
Fiona Doyle's The Strange Death of John Doe is a finalist for The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize 2018
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins wins the Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright 2018 for Gloria
Hampstead Theatre won Gold at The Corporate Engagement Awards for its play Firebird and its collaboration with The Children's Society
James Fritz wins the Critics Circle Award for Best New Playwright 2016
Sunny Afternoon wins Best New Musical at The Olivier Awards 2015
Sunny Afternoon wins Best Actor at The Olivier Awards 2015
Sunny Afternoon wins Best Supporting Actor at The Olivier Awards 2015
Sunny Afternoon wins Outstanding Achievement in Music Award at The Olivier Awards 2015
Four Minutes Twelve Seconds by James Fritz nominated for best Affiliate Theatre at the Olivier Awards 2015
Hampstead Theatre wins London’s Best Theatre at The Stage Awards 2014
Beth Steel wins Most Promising Playwright Award at The Evening Standard Awards 2014
WHAT THEY've recently said about us
★★★★★ 'a dark, witty, indispensable drama' Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph on Blackout Songs, 2022
★★★★ 'compulsive to watch' Arifa Akbar, The Guardian on Blackout Songs, 2022
★★★★ 'Fast, furious drama with note-perfect performances' Clive Davis, The Times on The Animal Kingdom, 2022
★★★★ 'An excellent play, dazzlingly on the button’ Quentin Letts, The Sunday Times on The Forest, 2022
★★★★ 'A beautiful, beguiling play that captures the transcendent and transformative power of music.' Financial Times on Folk, 2022
★★★★★ 'Leyshon’s poetic way with words, the subtle modulations of Roxana Silbert’s scenically humble production and the superb, lived-in detail of the four actors hold us in thrall. This wonderful play deserves to endure.' Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph on Folk, 2022
★★★★ 'Richard Wilson's artful, rewarding revival. Resonant and amusing.' Dominic Maxwell, The Times on Peggy for you, 2021
★★★★★ ‘There is not a false note anywhere. I’ve never seen – heard – anything like it.’ The Observer on Little Scratch, 2021
★★★★ ‘Rebecca Watson’s novel works magnificently on stage. Miriam Battye and Katie Mitchell have turned 24 hours inside a frenzied mind into something like a piece of music’ Jessie Thompson, Evening Standard on Little Scratch
★★★★ 'An exquisitely acted revival. Alice Hamilton’s production is so detailed and yet so warm-blooded. A fine balance between sadness, anger and comedy.' Dominic Maxwell, The Times on Memory of Water, 2021
★★★★ 'A profound delight. Funny and absurd.' Alexandra Pollard, Independent on The Two Character Play, 2021
★★★★ ‘Jangles the nerves… gnaws the mind… a strong revival’ Clare Allfree, The Telegraph on The Dumb Waiter, 2020
★★★★ ‘Sharp, sizzling… An acid, intelligent satire’ Mark Lawson, The Guardian on The Haystack, 2020
