Production Proposals
The King’s Head Theatre operates an open submission process. We present a mixture of new writing, revivals, musicals, opera, drag, cabaret, comedy, late night entertainment and everything in between.
We are now looking 6-12 months in advance for Main House programming.
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, we will not consider applications that do not have a producer attached.
Any artist opportunities for commissioning or collaboration will be on the Artist Opportunities page.
We now have four 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.
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 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, opera, cabaret, drag, burlesque, stand-up, clown & physical theatre. 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 form, even if we are unable to programme your show.
Submit a Proposal
Please note we are only accepting proposals for:
- Main House & Main House Later - from Jan 2026
- One Off Main House - from Febuary 2025
Information on our different programming slots are below but we ask everyone to submit a 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 zoe@kingsheadtheatre.com
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.
Main House Programming
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. Please note that the seating configuration is by defult in Thrust, if you would like to change this you will be required to pay our turn-around fee. Please discuss this with your lead KHT Producer.
This programme is suitable for commerical mid-scale plays, musicals and operas, 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 will also be conisdered.
To be considered for the slot, you will need to have a clear marketing plan, and/or previous expereince producing a show in a 200+ seat auditorium. You will also need to clearly demonstrate 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 will get 8x shows per week: every evening plus 2x matinees (Fridays 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 £7,000 + VAT per week.
For more information on our technical specifications please read our Tech Spec
For more information about how we programme please read our handbook,
SCHEDULE
- Mon - Thu (7pm)
- Sat - Sun (6pm)
- Sat & Wed Matinees (time TBC).
8x performances per week. Please note there is no Friday show.
LENGTH OF RUN
4-8 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 rental guarantee paid to the theatre of £7,000+VAT per week which cover the costs involved with the show. The Visiting Producer will then take 100% of mature net box office (Net = minus £1.50 & 5% cc).
We require a deposit of one week's rent or 50% upon signature of contract, whichever is less, with the remaining amount to be deducted from ticket sales following the run.
Please note: you will be sharing the space & dressing rooms with other shows
Main House Later Programming
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 at an extra cost. Performances are 9pm mid-week, and 8pm on the weekends.
The slot is best suited for mid-scale productions, with producers attached for 1-4 week runs. The slots work best for productions geared towards late night entertainment, high-end drag, or a show with fewer production requirements.
We will need to have a good understanding that you have a clear marketing plan, and/or proven ability to produce a main programe show in a 200+ seat auditorium to seriously consider your proposal. We also need to see that your show has commercial potential to reach the level of audience required, unless you have a clear subsidy plan.
You will work on top of the Main House Programme, and therefore must work to the configuration, design and rig focus as outlined by the Main House show. You will get one full day of tech.
Please note when applying, that you will have a maximum of 30 minutes shared turn around time before your show, however, this time may vary depending on the run time of the Main House show.
Rental for this slot is £4,000 + VAT per week
For more information on our technical specifications please read our Tech Spec.
For more information about how we work, please read our handbook.
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 £4,000 + VAT per week which cover the costs involved with the show. The Visiting Producer takes 100% of mature net box office (NET = minus £1.50 & 5% cc).
We require a deposit of one week's rent or 50%, whichever is less upon signature, with the remaining amount deducted from ticket sales following the run.
Main House - One Off Programming
These slots are great for touring shows, comedy, cabarets, drag, poetry, improv, burlesque, stand-up, showcases, variety nights and work-in-progress showings.
SCHEDULE
- Fri (7pm)
- Sun (8pm)
- Mon (9pm)
*This may vary depending on the Main House Programming
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 minutes.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
These slots work on a rental guarantee paid to the theatre of £1,000 per performance which cover the costs involved with the show. The Visiting Producer takes 100% of mature net box office (Net = minus £1.50 and 5% cc). 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.