by King's Head Theatre
The King’s Head Theatre charity has announced it will open the first new production at its purpose built 200-seat theatre on 8 January 2024, with the world premiere of Exhibitionists by Shaun McKenna and Andrew Van Sickle (previews from 5 January 2024).
Following an extensive programme of building works with support of £800,000 from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, the new theatre in Islington Square is located immediately behind the original pub theatre, and features an accessible, flexible auditorium, offices, and rehearsal space, as well as two bars, one of which will double as a 50-seat cabaret, drag and comedy space as well as for rehearsals and readings.
Created by Jon Brittain & Matt Tedford
Our soft launching of the space sees Maggie get festive for a special celebration of the show’s tenth anniversary. Following multiple sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, UK tours and West End seasons, the Iron Lady is back and more fabulous than ever. On the eve of the vote on Section 28, Maggie gets lost in Soho and accidentally becomes a cabaret superstar. Will she change her mind about the homophobic bill before it's too late…? A big gay odyssey about LGBT rights, the 80s and disco, created by Olivier Award winner Jon Brittain and Matt Tedford.
By Shaun McKenna & Andrew Van Sickle
A modern gay romantic comedy written by Shaun McKenna (The Lord of the Rings, Watermill & Drury Lane; Ladies in Lavender, Royal & Derngate and Tour, Radio 4’s Eleanor Rising and the forthcoming The Forsyte Saga, Park Theatre) and Andrew Van Sickle. This exploration of love, betrayal and hook-ups sees five men find themselves in an intersecting comic web of relationships after they meet at an art exhibition. Directing the piece will be Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End; Flowers For Mrs Harris, Riverside Studios; Tick, Tick… Boom, Park Theatre) with a cast to be announced.
Created by Silent Faces
In 1953 a man wrote a play about waiting. It's 2024 and we're still waiting. A whip-smart interrogation of gender, authorial copyright and the cultural significance of Madonna's 1989 album Like a Prayer, Silent Faces return to London with their trademark style of playful, political, physical theatre, following a critically acclaimed UK tour.
By Kevin Kelly
It's 1954 and Benjamin Britten is working on a new opera about purity and innocence. He's in an illegal gay relationship with Peter Pears and they can’t draw attention to themselves. The star of the opera, a roguish choirboy, is coming to stay with them and the people around Britten are concerned - but who’s going to say “No!” to him… Someone’s going to get hurt. Directed by Tim McArthur.
Liebenspiel’s “Late Night Week”; a never before seen gathering of the most weird and wonderful comedy in the UK. Come for the night, stay for the week.
Marcel Lucont’s Whine List (26 Feb)
Terrible Wonderful Adaptations (28 Feb)
Joy Multiplication (29 Feb)
Hot Rubber (1 March)
The Glang Show (1 March)
Hot Queer Magic (2 March)
Created by Above The Stag
Join your hosts, the hilarious Katie and Demetrius, as they introduce memorable hit songs, performed live, from past Eurovision Song Contests. Your decision! You, the audience, vote for your favourite song which is performed again at the end of the show. Completely Camp & Absolutely Bonkers!
By Feargus Woods Dunlop
Harry Houdini is the world’s greatest entertainer. Just as his death-defying escapology stunts have him, and his wife Bess, on the cusp of a career-defining performance for King Edward, he finds himself framed for murder by a gang of criminals in cahoots with the chief of police. Can Harry & Bess escape the plot and clear their names? All will be revealed in this hilarious 39 Steps-esque thriller, played out in New Old Friends’ (Crimes on Centre Court) inimitable, award-winning style of physical comedy, sparkling wit and just a touch of chaos.
By Jonathan Maitland
Jonathan Maitland (An Audience with Jimmy Savile, The Interview, The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson, Park Theatre) will premiere the stage adaptation of his acclaimed book on the KHT stage. How do you navigate a crazy, glamorous, narcissistic, scandal-loving mother whose idea of fun is to turn your 1970s family home into Britain’s first ever gay hotel?