Production Proposals

The King’s Head Theatre operates an open submission process all year round. We present a mixture of new writing, revivals, musicals, opera, drag, cabaret, comedy, late night entertainment and everything in between.

Find out more below about our programming model and how to submit your work for consideration. Please note that this is for shows that either have a producer attached or are ready to be self-produced. Any artist opportunities for commissioning or collaboration will be on the Artist Opportunities page.

We now have three programmes of work, and you should consider which programme of work is suitable for you in advance of making a submission.

Artistic Ambitions

We programme work that is joyful, irreverent, colourful, camp and queer, which allows us all to imagine a better future.

The King’s Head Theatre is a space for stories by, for, and with the LGBTQ+ community, with the aim of fostering a home for the new wave of diverse queer theatre makers. We therefore especially welcome production proposals which embrace all LGBTQ+ stories or are led by majority LGBTQ+ teams. However, if your show doesn’t fall under this umbrella, we’d still love to hear from you, and there is an opportunity on our proposal to state why you think your show is right for the King’s Head Theatre. We want to specifically acknowledge that LGBTQ+ work for LGBTQ+ audiences has many definitions and we are a space that embraces that, exploring the full spectrum of experiences symbolised by the rainbow flag. We are a home for a new wave of diverse queer theatre makers.

We programme across a wide spectrum of performance styles, and below we break down what sort of slots work best with different styles. Our past productions have spanned the following genres: theatre, comedy, musicals, gig theatre, poetry, improv, opera, cabaret, drag, burlesque, stand-up, clown & physical theatre and forms we haven’t even thought of yet. We love to embrace stories that haven't been told before, in ways which haven't been invented yet.

WE GET BACK TO EVERYONE WHO SENDS A PROPOSAL IN THROUGH OUR PRODUCTION PROPOSAL FORM, EVEN IF WE’RE NOT ABLE TO PROGRAMME YOUR SHOW

Submit a Proposal

Information on our different programming slots are below but we ask everyone to submit a:

PRODUCTION PROPOSAL FORM

You’ll need to provide:

• A copy of the script
• CVs or biographies of the proposed creative team
• Any other material that may help us assess your work, for example, a couple of reviews of previous shows.
• The length of run you are looking for, and the time frame for this.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Please do not email us your proposals. Using the Google Form is the only way to guarantee we will receive it. We get back to every producer who submits via the form.

For more information about how we work & guides on producing at KHT, please head to our Producer Hub. 

Our Spaces and Programmes of Work

MAIN HOUSE

Our main house is a flexible auditorium, with a capacity up to 250. The shows in this programme get to choose the seating configuration - be it end on, in-the-round, thrust etc. - as long as it works within fire regulations and with the seats & steel deck available then we're happy to consider all configurations.

This programme is more suitable for mid-scale plays, musicals and opera's, with producers attached, for runs of 4-8 weeks. However, mid-scale touring productions who might be looking for 1-2 weeks as part of a tour we will consider proposals from as well.

We will need to have a good understanding that you have a clear marketing plan, and/or ability to produce, a main programe show in a 200+ seat auditorium to seriously consider your proposal. And that your show has commercial potential to reach the level of audience required, unless you have a clear subsidy plan.

Performance times in this slot are 7pm for a 90 minute slot, and 6pm on the weekends. You get 8x shows per week - Every evening + 2x matinees (Friday's off)

Shows in this slot get design priority - over both technical equipment (including rig & focus of lights) and set design.

Rental for this slot is £6,250 + VAT per week.

For more information on our technical specifications please read our Tech Spec

• SCHEDULE

Mon - Thu 7pm
Sat - Sun 6pm

Sat & Wed Matinees.

x8 performances per week. Please note there is no Friday show.
 

• LENGTH OF RUN

5-8 weeks

If you think your show will work best in this slot but you can only do a shorter run or you'd like to discuss longer (only generally suitable for significantly more commercial work) weeks then we can occasionally do this, for example if your show is touring.
 

• LENGTH OF SHOW

Up to 90 mins.

If your show is longer than this but you still think it would work with us, get in touch but we may need to approach it on a bespoke basis.
 

• FINANCIAL INFORMATION

These slots work on a guarantee paid to the theatre of £6,250+VAT per week which cover the costs involved with the show. The Visiting Producer will then take 100% of mature net box office.

We require a deposit of 50% upon signature of contract, with the remaining 50% to be deducted from ticket sales following the run.
 

Please note: you will be sharing the space with other shows

MAIN HOUSE LATER

Our Main House Later programme are for shows which sit on-top of our Main House programme. This is 5x performances per week Tue - Sat with an option to perform extra performances on Sunday or Monday. Performances are 9pm mid-week, and 8pm on the weekends.

The slots are great for comedy, cabaret, drag, fringe shows, or anything which has less production requirements.

You will work to the configuration, design and rig focus as outlined by the Main House Programme, and get one full day of tech. 

Rental for this slot is £3,500 + VAT per week

For more information on our technical specifications please read our Tech Spec

• SCHEDULE

Tuesday - Friday 9pm

Saturday - 8pm

5x performances per week. There is the option to add Sunday or Monday nights for an additional cost.
 

• LENGTH OF RUN

1-4 weeks usually, but sometimes longer runs work for the right show.
 

• LENGTH OF SHOW

Maximum 60-70 minute shows
 

• FINANCIAL INFORMATION

These slots work on a guarantee paid to the theatre or £3,500 + VAT per week which cover the costs involved with the show. The Visiting Producer takes 100% of mature net box office.

We require a deposit of 50% upon signature, with the remaining 50% deducted from ticket sales following the run.

@4Below (previously Cabaret House)

[Tainted Saint, Bold Mellon Collective - Emilia Nurmukhamet & Beatrix Carlotta]

Our cabaret venue is a 50-seat space with a small raised stage and limited tech - works best for perfect for stand up, drag, cabaret spoken word & play readings.

Please note that this space is not a studio theatre. It is not desinged for full theatrical performances. 

The cabaret space can be used during the day for private hire for play readings etc. and costs £250

However it is programmed for performances on Thur, Fri, Sat and Sun late nights on a 50:50 split of net box office. 

• SCHEDULE

Thursday - Friday 10.30pm
Saturday-Sunday 9:30pm / 10:30pm
 

• LENGTH OF RUN

1-4 performances, but we are looking for productions which could be revived on a semi-regular basis (for example 1x a month)

• LENGTH OF SHOW

60 minutes, longer may be available for Saturday or Sunday (double slots) for the right shows

• FINANCIAL INFORMATION

These slots are available on a £100+VAT rental guarantee vs 50:50 split with the theatre. There is no deposit payable, but cancellation fees do apply.

ONE-OFF MAIN HOUSE SLOTS

These slots are great for touring shows, comedy, cabarets, drag, poetry, improv, burlesque, stand-up, showcases, variety nights and work-in-progresses

SCHEDULE

Fri 7pm
Sun 8pm
Mon 9pm
 

LENGTH OF RUN

1-3 performances, but sometimes having multiple performances split over a few weeks can be a great way to build word of mouth.
 

LENGTH OF SHOW

Maximum 60-70 minute.
 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

These slots work on a guarantee paid to the theatre or £1,000 per performance which cover the costs involved with the show. The Visiting Producer takes 100% of mature net box office. For multiple bookings of 5+ performances over a consistent period without additional tech time etc. we may be able to reduce fees.

We require a deposit of 50% upon signature with the remaining 50% deducted from ticket sales following the run.