Theatre and Performance Venues in London

Welcome to our collection of unique theatres and performance venues available for hire in London. We are proud to host many of the city’s greatest theatre locations, both well-known conventional theatres with a rich cultural heritage and quirky alternative spaces that would make an ideal space for a live performance or even an interactive event. From small intimate theatres to large scale venues, our list has it all, including those found in London’s iconic West End, often considered the home of theatre, attracting performers and spectators from around the world.

We can connect you with a stage that offers a unique central location, close to fantastic amenities such as hotels, restaurants and transport links to the rest of London and further afield, maximizing convenience and making the experience as hassle-free as possible. The beauty and generous space make theatres attractive for other events as well, including conferences, live music performances, press events and many others.

Brixton

Electric Brixton

Electric is an iconic, theatrical structure, a venue that is characterful with a contemporary twist. The huge ground floor Main Room and stage are overlooked by a beautiful mezzanine – the Circle Bar, and ideal for live shows with a 1500 capacity and standing receptions of 1700. Electric an ideal setting not only for corporate parties, but also conferences, award ceremonies, dinners, product launches, away days, wedding receptions, bar mitzvahs, filming and much more. Electrics Main Room can accommodate 320 guests seated cabaret style for awards or gala evenings and 180 dining, whilst it also lends itself to smaller numbers of 250 – 800 when the mezzanine isn't in use. We use only the best caterers around for all of our events. We work closely with a number of preferred caterers who all offer fresh, modern and creative catering whilst upholding traditional service values. The entire team are all self-confessed foodies and continuously provide superb food made only from the finest sustainably sourced ingredients. Our contemporary menus suitable for anything from exquisite canapés and formal dinners through to themed bowl food and innovative conference options are sure to tantalise the taste buds and leave your guests coming back for more. As well as exceptional food, we also provide both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages alongside a beautiful array of wonderful cocktails. With ideas from classic favourites through to ingenious mocktails, they’re sure to add the finishing touch to your event. FAQ's Does Electric host birthday parties? No, Electric will not host a birthday party for any age. Can we hire Electric at the weekend? Daytime hire at the weekend is limited due to regular live and club events in the evening, but always ask and we will try and accommodate. Night-time hire is reviewed case by case and always worth asking. Does Electric have preferred suppliers? Yes, although we will always work with the client to ensure the event works best for their needs if they wish to consider outside suppliers. Is parking available? Pay and Display bays are available behind the venue on Buckner Road. They are free after 5.30pm. Is loading access easy? Please direct all deliveries to Buckner Road, for our rear entrance. Flat access to both stage and the main floor. Does Electric provide furniture for events? We do not own any tables or chairs - these must always be hired. Is internet provided at the venue? Internet access is available throughout the venue. Virtual tour (you can use the numbered buttons at the side of the screen to jump between the floors)

Standing 1700

Theatre 350

Dining 200

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Battersea

Battersea Arts Centre

Battersea Arts Centre is a unique London venue with an eclectic mix of historical architecture and theatrical flair make our building ideal for those looking for something a little different. We host a wide variety of events; from beautiful weddings and fun parties to location filming and conferences. Capacities of largest rooms in the venue (multiple spaces available): Grand Hall: Theatre: 600 Cabaret: 600 Dining: 350 Standing: 800 Council Chamber: Theatre: 160 Cabaret: 150 Dining: 130 Standing: 200 Boardroom: 40

Standing 800

Theatre 600

Dining 350

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Soho, Piccadilly

Karma Sanctum Soho

Karma Sanctum, centrally located in London's buzzy Soho is an award-winning five-star Hotel with a rooftop terrace, cinema and restaurant. Wild Heart Bar & Grill is located on the ground floor and serves a delicious mix of new British cuisine, the perfect venue for private events, parties and product launches. Our unique rooftop terrace one of London's best kept secrets, with a private bar and hot tub. Perfect for birthday parties, private parties and drinks for small or large groups. The cinema is located on our lower ground floor and offers a mix of vintage glamour and opulent design. A versatile space, the perfect location to hold a workshop, seminar or your own private screening, and can also be transformed into a space for intimate group dinners or parties, benefiting from its own private bar. Screening facilities have recently been upgraded with full state-of-the-art Digital Cinema projection, boasting eye-popping image quality and cutting edge entertainment options. Roof Terrace Profile

Standing 150

Theatre 65

Dining 80

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Tottenham Court Road

Congress Centre

Set within an award-winning modernist building in London’s West End, Congress Centre offers exceptional value. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider the venue for your next event: 1. An unbeatable central location Two minutes’ walk from Tottenham Court Road Underground and a short walk from Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Soho. 2. Great value for money Say no more! 3. Flexibility A choice of 16 different air conditioned conference, meeting and event spaces of varying sizes, most with natural light, ideal for large conferences (up to 500 seated), receptions (850 standing), launches, exhibitions, fashion shows, receptions, dinners and awards ceremonies, as well as smaller meetings and events. 4. Quirkiness The venue is set within an architecturally renowned 1950s’ modernist building which provides a striking backdrop for any event. 5. Hi-tech facilities State-of-the-art AV equipment, plus experienced technicians if required. 6. Fabulous food & outstanding service Repeat bookings are a high proportion of the venue’s business thanks to terrific in-house catering and a dedicated events team. 7. You’re in good company This gem of a venue has hosted events for a large number of corporate clients including Apple, Barclays, Coca Cola, John Lewis, Microsoft and Yahoo!, as well as public sector organisations such as the NHS. Day delegate rates from £49 + VAT per person Room hire rates from £300 + VAT

Standing 850

Theatre 500

Dining 320

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South West London

Tara Arts

Tara Theatre is an awarding-winning gem for venue hire in London. Just 10 mins by Rail from Waterloo. Step through the Indian front door of our Edwardian terrace into a world of elegant fusion, providing a unique setting for any event. Theatre – plush seats, soaring ceilings and exposed brickwork combined with state-of-the-art technical facilities, perfect for private parties, launch events and conferences. Studio – an abundance of natural light and smooth oakwood floors, ideal for meetings and workshops. Foyer & Patio-Garden –a charming haven for parties and events with café/bar.

Standing 150

Theatre 98

Cabaret 107

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Victoria Station

St John's Smith Square

Baroque Church known as one of Westminsters "Hidden Gems". Mainly used for classical concerts, St John's Smith Square is situated in Westminster, 3 min from the Houses of Parliament. Built in 1728 during Queen Anne's Reign, it is composed of the main Concert Hall and the Footstool Restaurant. The story goes, when asked about the design that should have been adopted for the new church, the ageing and intemperate Queen was in no mood to answer. She petulantly kicked over her foot stool and demanded that the church should be designed "like that" - in the shape of her up turned stool. It is from this outburst that St Johns gained the epithet "the Footstool". Located in the crypt of the Church, our restaurant Footstool with beautiful brick arches. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am -5 pm. Evenings/Weekends: Only open if we have concerts.

Standing 450

Theatre 760

Dining 250

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Spitalfields

Hanbury Hall

A venue with a fascinating history that dates all the way back to 1719. Originally built as a small Huguenot chapel, it has accommodated many different East London congregations over the years eventually becoming part of Christ Church in 1887. Charles Dickens was a regular visitor in the 1800s using the building for public readings of his works and in 1888 the Match Girls held their famous strike meetings here as they prepared to protest against working conditions at the nearby Bryant and May factory. Magnificently renovated into a diverse venue space; it boasts high ceilings and windows to bathe the room with natural daylight. A recent restoration and makeover has seamlessly combined the contemporary Spitalfields style with the heart of a national heritage building.

Standing 120

Theatre 80

Dining 50

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Shoreditch

Village Underground

Village Underground's renovated turn-of-the-century warehouse is a versatile space which can adapt to accommodate a wide range of creative events. To date, we’ve hosted photographic exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances, club nights, social projects, private functions and eclectic commercial events.

Standing 720

Theatre 265

Dining 150

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Regents Park

229

Central London's most versatile, multi-faceted venue, supporting Grassroots music. 229 is a multi-purpose entertainments venue which hosts gigs, club nights, awards ceremonies, comedy and fashion events, gala dinners and weekend festivals. The venue includes 2 event spaces and a Green Room. Some of the acts to have played at 229 include Kings of Leon, Paul Weller, Pet Shop Boys, Florence and the Machine, Biffy Clyro, Seasick Steve and Foals to name but a few. Managed under the umbrella of the charity, International Students House (ISH), 100% of the profit made by 229 goes directly back support our mission. We believe every young person should have the opportunity to succeed whatever their background. Together with our university partners and supporters, we provide scholarships opportunities, a home and a social programme to enable students to succeed while giving them a place to belong.

Standing 620

Theatre 328

Dining 150

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Hammersmith

ReCentre Event Space

Re:Centre provides a rare sense of open space in the heart of London. This 4,000 sq. ft. space is perfect for hosting a wide range of events including talks, exhibitions, performances, large group classes, and workshops. With the majestic River Thames flowing directly in front of our Event Space, and a serene landscaped courtyard at the back, we offer a natural, bright and inspiring venue in which to host your event. Please note that Re:Centre is a carefully curated space, and not simply a space-to-hire, we, therefore, require that all event bookings be assessed to ensure they run in line with our vision and core values.

Standing 100

Theatre 100

Dining 100

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Kensington

The Orangery

The Orangery is well known as a hidden gem in one of London’s most beautiful settings. A glass and stone palace built for Lord & Lady Holland’s soirees, it provides a blank canvas space that is both elegant and charming. The Orangery comfortably caters for 80 seated guests and a marquee may be added on the lawn to accommodate larger parties. This is a really unique wedding venue set in one of London’s prettiest parks just a short walk from High Street Kensington. The venue is licenced for wedding ceremonies as well as hosting wedding receptions.

Standing 150

Theatre 80

Cabaret 80

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Shoreditch

Rich Mix

The Stage day rate: £165 Per Hour+ VAT/evening rate: £260 Per Hour+ VAT Cinema Hire Starting Price: £200 Per Hour + VAT Rich Mix: the independent arts venue in the heart of Shoreditch. An alternative to the traditional with cutting-edge facilities, mouth-watering menus and bespoke theming. 3 boutique cinemas 3 blank canvas venue spaces Mezzanine gallery Lower cafe gallery Boardroom A five-storey Shoreditch landmark, Rich Mix are able to tailor their spaces for anything. Corporate events, conferences and private dinner parties. Photo shoots, fashion shows and book launches. Weddings, Ceremonies, Christmas parties and Summer Balls. Their creative events team can make it happen. And brilliantly, all profits contribute directly to their work as an arts charity.

Standing 375

Theatre 200

Dining 100

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How to Produce an Interactive Theatre Event

Interactive and immersive theatre is on the rise, where the audience plays an active part in the play and changes how the story unfolds. It’s a new way of bringing the arts to more people and allows them to get much more involved than at a traditional theatre. But how exactly do you go about producing this type of play? And how do you make sure that it’s successful? We have some top tips on how to get your audience engaged so that they leave having been a part of something truly memorable:

Remember That It’s All About the Audience

In interactive theatre more than in any other, the audience calls all the shots. They are the most important part of the play as they will actually be playing their own roles within it. If you don’t have a play that is giving the audience this but instead taking it the power away from at times, this will leave audiences confused. They won’t know what is going on and with no one to guide them down the right path in the play, you are going to be left with customers who are frustrated and annoyed. If the audience needs help to become immersed, then you need to be able to give it.

Be Flexible

No two plays are ever the same in immersive theatre, because the cast is always changing. While you are giving your audience a certain amount of power, it can be easy to want to narrow this down so that they only have a certain number of options to go with, like picking a second path in a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’. While this can be done, it can also make the experience feel restrictive. You are looking for something that’s more organic, so the audience can really make their decisions and the actors take their cues from it.

Use Your Venue

No matter what venue you are in, it can be used to your advantage when it comes to immersive theatre. Look at the different quirks that it has and make those into a part of your play. Each venue has a unique feel to it, so you’ll have to choose carefully before deciding. You don’t want to have an idea in your head that ends up not working because you didn’t consider the venue carefully enough. There are a number of theatres for hire in London, and any one of these traditional venues can be absolutely transformed to accommodate an immersive theatre experience.

Think About Ratio

How any actors do you need to complete your vision? And how many audience members can you accommodate at any one time? Getting this ratio just right is crucial in producing interactive theatre that works. Generally speaking, the more actors there are the better, and unless your play is specifically designed to host a large audience all at once, having more actors that audience can sometimes be a good thing. In a murder mystery type interactive theatre, the audience is sometimes in groups, going around different scenes and trying to find clues.

Trust Your Actors

In interactive theatre, anything can happen, so it’s important that you don’t enclose your actors with set lines or scenes that they have to follow no matter what. The best type of immersive experience is the one that naturally leads you through it to the conclusion, and in order to do that, the actors need the freedom to be able to improvise. Every audience will be different. Some will need encouragement to speak up, and others encouragement to listen. Choosing a cast that has experience in this type of theatre and can handle any type of audience is crucial, and you need to trust them to be able to do it.

Check Your Tech

Your lighting and sound are still just as important in immersive theatre, so you need to make sure that you have the capacity to do all the things that you want to. It can be hard to rig up lighting in different parts of a venue, which is why pre-production is such a crucial stage in any play. Talking with your actors and getting their input on what will work for them will help your tech work in the way that’s simplest for everyone involved, while still providing the experience that you want your audience to be able to enjoy.

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

With this type of theatre, you never really know what’s going to happen with each new audience, and every night it will be different. This makes your rehearsal time even more precious. Get test audiences in to try it out and give feedback before opening to the public. This will help you to smooth out any kinks that you didn’t even know were there. The more rehearsal time that you can squeeze in, the better the experience will be for everyone. Remember, because your audience is so close to you, they’re much more likely to notice – and comment on – anything that doesn’t quite fit.

Enjoy It!

Let’s be honest, it’s rare that an opening night of any play goes exactly to plan, and there will always be a certain amount of hiccups along the way. It’s natural to be nervous when you’ve put so much time and energy into producing something, but the best way to make your interactive theatre event a success is to just relax and enjoy it.

There are still many people out there who have never even heard of interactive theatre let alone been a part of it, which is why it’s such a great way to get a new type of audience involved in the arts. If you think carefully about the play that you are producing, and always keep the audience to the forefront of your mind, then you’re sure to be successful.

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Theatre and Performance Venues in London

How to Produce an Interactive Theatre Event