The Early Years
The Warehouse Theatre
was founded by Sam Kelly, Richard Ireson, and Adrian Shergold at the
height of the lunchtime theatre boom with the aim of presenting a varied
season of plays with an emphasis on new work to the highest possible
standards. The first production - Hell's Angels on Typewriters
by Angela Wye - opened in May 1977, and the then 50 seat auditorium
became an instant favourite with local audiences for lunchtime performances
whilst sharing the building with a Caribbean night club.
In 1978 the Arts Council recognised the work of the theatre by awarding
a major grant and in 1979 the nightclub closed, evening performances
were introduced and the seating capacity was increased to 100. Highly
respected touring companies began to visit the theatre between in-house
productions and extremely popular cabaret evenings were introduced,
with performers including Lenny Henry, French and Saunders, Rik Mayall,
Ben Elton, and Julian Clary. Gradually more plays were premiered, with
many being specially commissioned by successful writers, such as Sue
Townsend, who wrote Groping for Words and Womberang for
the theatre.
After the withdrawal of an Arts Council grant in 1984, potential closure
was averted when Croydon Council and the GLC agreed to replace the grant.
Following a brief closure for major refurbishment, including the building
of the bar, the theatre re-opened in 1985 under the directorship of
Ted Craig with the premiere of David Allen's Cheapside starring
James Bolam. Now concentrating exclusively on new playwriting,
initiatives such as the South London Playwriting Festival were launched,
giving an invaluable platform to works by both new and established writers.
Kevin Hood's compelling new play Beached won the first festival
in 1986 and he later became Resident Playwright, writing both The
Astronomer's Garden and Sugar Hill Blues for the theatre.
Arts Council funding (via London Arts) was also restored.
Building On Success
The South
London Playwriting Festival quickly became the highly acclaimed International
Playwriting Festival, reflecting the number of entries from all
over the globe. Finalists have included playwrights from America, Trinidad,
Australia and Bulgaria, with the 1994 winner, Dino Mahoney, being half
Irish, half Greek, living in Hong Kong. Dino's selected play Yo Yo
had its premiere here in April 1995. In 1996 the Warehouse Theatre inaugurated
a partnership with the leading Italian playwriting festival, the Premio
Candoni and in 1999 a partnership was also formed with Theatro Ena in
Cyprus providing selected writers with a window for further productions
in Europe. The new writers discovered by the festival have since gone from
strength to strength and further productions, radio and screen contracts,
and success with other work has followed.
We were also proud to partner the Sydney Theatre Company with two UK
premieres by Michael Gow,
ON TOP OF THE WORLD and SWEET PHOEBE,
the latter starring the brilliant CATE BLANCHETT in her UK theatre debut.
We were also very proud that the great LINDSAY ANDERSON agreed to do
a production for the theatre
of the world premiere of THE FISHING TRIP by Frank Grimes with an excellent
cast and music by ALAN PRICE.
The Building
The Warehouse
Theatre is a converted Victorian warehouse, built in 1882 for a sand,
cement, and lime merchant. In spite of refurbishments, it still has
several original features. There are picture tiles from the 1880's,
mostly on the cellar under the main staircase, and a "crab"
winch and wall crane of unusual design in full working order on the
side of the building. Early drawings show that the bar, opened in 1985,
is actually sited in the old stable block, with the eating area above
in the appropriately named "Hayloft" bar.
But the Victorian charm of the building does have its less engaging
side. The removal of a false ceiling in 1981 uncovered the planked roof
and vast beams and tresses of the original holes in the original roof
to let in the original rain over audience and cast alike.
Space is another problem. The office looks like a cupboard crossed with
a corridor and is actually another entrance to the auditorium. In fact,
until 1985 it was the entrance and many bemused latecomers
are still escorted up the backstairs and past the kitchen to avoid walking
through the scenery. With so little room to manoeuvre, one (unnamed)
actress was once forced to crawl along a wooden beam in the roof in
order to reach her entrance after she had left by the wrong door the
scene before!
But the problems have helped to encourage the ingenuity and imagination
in staging and design for which the Warehouse Theatre is rightly acclaimed
- and cheerfulness in adversity has seen staff and audiences alike through
many a minor crisis.
The Future
For some
time a new theatre had been planned which will double our capacity and
upgrade our facilities, and this is now a reality. On 2 June 06 the
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government granted planning
permission for the development of the 'Gateway' site next to East Croydon
station on which the theatre stands. Site owners, and our landlords,
Stanhope/Schroders, are building a large urban park, twice
the size of Leicester Square, offices, housing (50% affordable), restaurants,
a medical centre and a leisure centre, with our new, 200 seat, state-of-the-art
theatre at the heart of the development.
But, there have been many hold ups and this has not been helped by the
council's withdrawal of essential funding which caused Warehouse Theatre's
managing company into administration in May 2012. The theatre, however,
remained open until 27 November when the lease ran out. The landlords
commissioned a survey of the building and serious faults were discovered
and there was no choice but for the building to be demolished..
A new company has been established - Warehouse
Phoenix Limited - with the aim of preserving and carrying
on the spirit of innovation and determination forged upstairs in that
Victorian industrial warehouse.
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WAREHOUSE THEATRE IN-HOUSE PRODUCTIONS
& CO-PRODUCTIONS 1977- 2013
1977
HELL'S ANGELS
ON TYPEWRITERS by
Angela Wye
SKIN DEEP (improvised)
TRANSCENDING by
Peter Gregory
PUNKENSTEIN by
Andy Smith
1978
ABSINTH FRIENDS
PUZZLES Devised
CUT THE GRASS Devised
THE AIRSHIP OF FOOLS
by Andy Smith
1979
THEY MADE THEIR
EXCUSES AND LEFT by Ivor Dunkerton
FLORENCE OF THE
NORTH by Magda Nabb
ONE OF THOSE DAYS
devised by Adrian Shergold
MARKING TIME by Andy Armitage
JETTY by Guy Hibbert
OLD SCHOOL by Giles Cole- Premiere
HOUDINI by
Andy Armitage and Adrian Shergold - Premiere
1980
AMY BEAUTIFUL
AMY by Andy Smith
- Premiere
DE SADE ON ICE
by Andy Smith - Premiere
BALLS by
Sandra Clark - Premiere
BENTLEY by
Richard Ireson- Premiere
THE ISLAND by
Athol Fugard
GUESTS by Robin Chapman- Premiere
SINGLEHANDED by Jonathan Rich- Premiere
BABYKILLER by Steve Wilmer- Premiere
GREYHOUND OF THE
BASKERVILLES by
Andy Smith- Premiere
1981
MULHENNY'S WRATH
by Ron Rose
WEDDING OF THE YEAR
by Ron Rose
CIRCLES OF MY MIND
by Rex Doyle- Premiere
DAYROOM by Sue Townsend - Premiere
CONFRONTATIONS by
Anthony Craze - Premiere
AWHAMBAMBOOMBAM
AWHAMBAMBOOM by
Richard Ireson - Premiere
1982
I, BERTOLT BRECHT
devised by Sue Pomeroy
OWNERS by Carol Churchill- Premiere
FEARS AND MISERIES
OF THE THIRD REICH by Bertolt Brecht
THROUGH THE WALL
by Ian Barnett and Sue Pomeroy- Premiere
TERMINAL SUMMER
by Andy Smith - Premiere
1983
CINDERELLA HARD-UP
by Peta Masters and Geraldine Griffiths - Premiere
GROPING FOR WORDS
by Sue Townsend - Premiere
CROYDON FLY PAST
devised by The Company, script by Vince Foxall - Premiere
WOMBERANG and CLIENTS by Sue Townsend - Premiere
MOLL FLANDERS by Daniel Defoe, adapted by Claire
Luckham - Commission & Premiere
1984
SOME KIND OF
HERO by Les Smith
- Commission & Premiere
THERESE RAQUIN by Emile Zola, transalted by Pip
Broughton - Premiere
THE FOX AND THE
HOUNDS by Jim Morris
"A marvellously evocative and increaingly menacing production by
Pip Broughton" The Times 5.7.84
FIRE-EATERS by Paul Copley - a Warehouse Theatre
Company Co-Production & played Tricycle Theatre, Kilburn - Premiere
TOUCH AND GO
by Debbie Horsfield - Commission & Premiere
THE MARRIAGE OF
FIGARO by Mozart,
adapted by Nick Broadhurst & Tony Britten (transfer to the Ambassadors Theatre) - Premiere
1985
CHEAPSIDE by David Allen in association with
Lucille Lortel -British Premiere
(transfer to the Half Moon Theatre)
"A Surrey breeze rustles the fringe as the Warehouse
makes its presence felt" Mail On Sunday 1.9.85
DRESSING UP
by Brenda Ray - Premiere
COCK & BULL
STORY by Richard
Crowe & Richard Zajdlic, Ratskins Theatre Co - Premiere
DEVIL'S PEAK by Allan Leas - Premiere
WEALTH by Aristophanes, translated by George
Savvides, lyrics by David Dearlove, music by Peter Pontzen - Commission
& Premiere
1986
WORKING THE
HALLS by Peter Honri
- Premiere
THE ART OF SELF-DEFENCE
by Trish Johnson Target Productions in association with Warehouse Theatre
WUTHERING HEIGHTS
by Emily Bronte, adapted by Vince Foxall - Commission & Premiere
I'VE BEEN RUNNING
by Clare McIntyre and CINDY
AND SHELLEY GO TO THE DESERT by Paula Cizmar - Theatre La Beet in association with Warehouse
Theatre Co (also played at Old Red Lion)
SCREAMERS by
Anthony Davidson "Consistently absorbing and entertaining"
"Intense, funny, nostalgic,sad" Financial Times 3.7.86- Premiere
ONE WAS NUDE AND
WORE TAILS by Dario
Fo - Fo Rame Theatre Project in association with Warehouse Theatre
GLORIOUS THINGS
by David Allen Commission
& Premiere
"A rare and rewarding combination of fun, accessibility and politics"
City Limits 30.10.86
BLACK EY'D SUSAN
by Douglas Jerrold, adapted by the Warehouse Theatre Co (transfer to Oxford Playhouse)
"A very engaging show - light but not throwaway, funny but never
absurd" What's On
1987
CANNIBAL by
Richard Zajdlic & Richard Crow - Ratskins Theatre Co in association
with Warehouse Theatre Co - Premiere
BEACHED by Kevin Hood - 1986 IPF selection
-
Premiere
"In Kevin Hood, the author of Beached, the Warehouse has discovered
a new playwright who can craft a script, write and give his play dramatic
interest, shape and colour" London Daily News
(also played Old Red Lion Theatre)
STAR TURNS by Steve Gooch - Commission &
Premiere
IN THE IMAGE OF
THE BEAST by Jonathan
Holloway (Winner
of Fringe First - Edinburgh Festival 1987) Red Shift Theatre Co in association with Warehouse
Theatre Co
UPSIDE DOWN AT THE
BOTTOM OF THE WORLD by David Allen - British premiere
THE SERVANT OF TWO
MASTERS by Carlo
Goldini, translated and adapted by Ted Craig, Lyrics by David Dearlove,
music by Peter Pontzen Commission & Premiere
1988
CHILDREN OF
THE DUST by Anne
Aylor -1987IPF selection - Co-Production & also played Soho Theatre Company
- Premiere
SINNERS AND SAINTS
by James Mundy (sponsored
by Midland Bank) Commission & Premiere
POMMIES by David Allen Warehouse Theatre
Co in association with Phillip Emmanuel Productions (sponsored by Network
South East)
British premiere
LE MISANTHROPE by Moliere, adapted by Neil Bartlett,
music by Adrian Johnston (Winner of Fringe First - Edinburgh Festival 1988)
- Red Shift Theatre
Co in association with Warehouse Theatre Co (sponsored by Becks Bier)
- Premiere
THE ASTRONOMER'S
GARDEN by Kevin
Hood (Winner of Best Playwright - Charrington Fringe Awards 1988) -
(transfer to Royal
Court)
"A five star
experience" City Limits 27.10.88 "Ted Craig's intelligent
production has the exquisite precision of an astrolabe" Eve
Standard - Premiere
ROISTER DOISTER by Nicholas Udall, adapted by Vince
Foxall
(sponsored by United Cable TV - winner of the Business Sponsorship Incentive
Scheme Award) Commission & Premiere
1989
TIMON OF ATHENS
by William Shakespeare, music by Adrian Johnston (Winner of the Best Composer - Charrington
Fringe Awards 1989) - Red Shift Theatre Co in association with Warehouse
Theatre
DINNER by Mark Bunyan - 1988 IPF selection
- Premiere
FACTORY FOLLIES by Trish Fairbanks, music by Sayan
Akaddas, Colin Sell & Juliet Hall - 20th Vixen in assoc Warehouse
Theatre - Premiere
TAKE BACK WHAT'S
YOURS by Jacqueline
Rudet - Premiere
THE HARLOT'S CURSE
By Rodney Archer
& Powell Jones (Winner of the LWT Plays on Stage Competition 1988)
- Operating Theatre Co in association with Warehouse Theatre Co - Premiere
THE SWEET SHOP OWNER
by Graham Swift
jointly commissioned by derrick derrick Productions in association with
Warehouse Theatre - Premiere
SLEEPING NIGHTIE
by Victoria Hardie - Co-Production
with and also played at Royal Court Theatre - Premiere
GARY by Ray Winston Basic Theatre Co in
association with Harvey Kass - Premier
HOLD ON HORTENSE adapted by Vince Foxall from the
plays of The Grand Guignol - Commission & Premiere
1990
SWEET AS A NUT
by David Fox - Best Playwright,
Charrington Fringe Awards 1989/90 Art Depot Theatre Co in assoc with
Warehouse Theatre Premiere
SUGAR HILL BLUES
by Kevin Hood -
transfer to Hampstead
Theatre - Commission
& premiere
CONVERSATIONS WITH
GEORGE SANDBURGH AFTER A SOLO FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC by Ellen Fox
(Winner of the 1989 South London Playwriting Festival) - Premiere
CONVICTIONS by
Jeffrey Beatley - The Sharland Org in association with Warehouse Theatre
Co - British premiere
RIPPING THEM OFF
by Trevor Baxter - Warehouse Theatre Co in association with Bill Kenwright
- Premiere
IN THE DOGHOUSE by David Allen - Commission &
Premiere
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1991
THREE MEN IN
A BOAT by Jerome
K Jerome, adapted by Rob Ballard (Winner of Best Comedy Charrington Fringe Awards
1991/2 - Performance
Theatre Co
FAIRY TALES OF NEW
YORK By J P
Donleavy (30th ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION)
THE FISHING TRIP
by Frank Grimes - Warehouse Theatre Co in association with Alexander
H Racolin & Annette Moscowitz
Directed by Lindsay Anderson "Provocative and quizzical, subtle
and bracing" The Guardian - Premiere
LIPSTICK TANGO
by Katie Campbell - Bustere Theatre Co in assoc with Warehouse Theatre
Co
PLAYING SINATRA by Bernard Kops - Commission and
Premiere - transfer
to Greenwich Theatre
" A corker of a play and a triumph for Kops, his best play in more
than a decade...rich, dark complexity...remarkable" Whats On
"This beautifully written tragi-comedy" Independent on
Sunday
THE MYSTERIE
OF MARIA MARTEN
by Chris Bond - commission and premiere
1992
THE ROARING
GIRLS HAMLET by
William Shakespeare, in a new setting by Claire Luckham The Sphinx (formerly
Women's Theatre Group) in association with Warehouse Theatre Co
FIGHTING FOR THE
DUNGHILL by Guy
Jenkin -1991 IPF selection
"Splendidly watchable" The Times "James
Bolam's excellent performance...is a poignant though still comic, picture
of a man at war with the world.....ably abetted by a splendid cast""Charming,
informative play" Time Out - Premiere
TURNER'S CROSSING
by Sheila Dewey (Thames TV Theatre Writers Award) Commission & Premiere
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
by Michael Gow Warehouse Theatre Co in association with
The Sydney Theatre Co - British Premiere
THE BEST MAN
by David Richard Fox Warehouse Theatre Co in association with Art
Depot - Premiere
DON QUIXOTE adapted by Vince Foxall - Commission
& Premiere
1993
PIRATES by Rob Ballard Warehouse Theatre
Production in association with Performance Theatre Co - Commission &
Premiere
FAT SOULS by James Martin Charlton -1992 IPF
selection "There is simply no mistaking anew voice
in the theatre. Charlton's is a quirky, assured, creative voice.....consistently
theatrical" The Times "Ted Craig's crisp production...sparkles
with originality and life" What's On - Premiere
THE SUM OF US
by David Stevens "Beautifully acted...warm, affectionate and
funny"The Times - British premiere
BREAKING THE BANK
by Eleanor Zeal
Warehouse Theatre Co in association with Empty Space Theatre Co
THROUGH A GLASS
DARKLY by Trevor
Baxter - Commission & Premiere
THE BELLS OF NOTRE
DAME By Victor
Hugo, adapted by Vince Foxall - Commission & Premiere
1994
WILD THINGS
by Anna Reynolds Warehouse Theatre Co in association with Paines Plough
& Salisbury Playhouse - Premiere
EVA AND THE CABIN
BOY by Sheila Dewey
- commission & premiere
A NIGHT AT THE REVOLUTION
by Rob Ballard Warehouse Theatre Co in association with Performance
Theatre Co - Premiere
DANCING ON BLACKWATER
by Bonnie Greer
Warehouse Theatre Co in association with Black Theatre Co-operative
- Premiere
THE COURT JESTER
by Ray Smiles
(Arts Council Writer in Residence) Commission & Premiere
1995
SWEET PHOEBE
by Michael Gow starring
Cate Blanchett Warehouse
Theatre Co in Association with The Sydney Theatre Co - British premiere
"Outstanding" The Guardian "Compelling and
highly charged. Brilliant" Time Out
YOYO by
Dino Mahoney -1994 IPF selection Time Out Critics Choice
"A worthy winner" - Premiere
NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
by Douglas Esson
- 1993 IPF selection - Premiere
TROUBLE SLEEPING by Nick Ward Warehouse
Theatre Co in association with Fino Productions - Premiere
DINNER WITH THE
BORGIAS by Ray Smiles
- Commission & Premiere
1996
BEN HUR by Rob Ballard Warehouse Theatre
Co in association with Performance Theatre Co - Commission & Premiere
IONA RAIN by
Peter Moffat 1995 - IPF selection Commission & Premiere "Outshines
the West End's big cheeses" The Times - Premiere
TEMPORARY RUPTURE
by Michael Ellis - Black Theatre Co-operative in association with Warehouse
Theatre Co
GROPING IN THE DARK
by James Martin Charlton - Friendly Fire Productions in association
with Warehouse Theatre Co - Commission & Premiere
THE SERVANT OF TWO
MASTERS By Carlo
Goldoni, adapted & translated by Ted Craig
1997
FAT JANET IS
DEAD by Simon Smith
(1996 IPF selection) "Delightful comedy" The Times
"Left me crying with laughter" The Independent -
Premiere
THE BLUE GARDEN
by Peter Moffat - Commission & Premiere
COMING UP by
James Martin Charlton - Warehouse Theatre Company production in association
with Friendly Fire Productions
Commission & PremiereTHE CASTLE SPECTRE by Matthew Lewis adapted by Phil Willmott - Commission
and Premiere
1998
MISS ROACH'S
WAR by Patrick Hamilton
adapted by Richard Kane - Attic Theatre Company in association with
WTC - Premiere
THE SWELL -
Theatre Alibi - Premiere
CAPITAL NIGHTS by Jim Kenworth & Brian McCloskey
- Warehouse Commission and Premiere
KAOS' MASTER &
MARGARITA - Kaos
Theatre Company - Premiere
TRICKSTER'S PAYBACK
by Martin Glynn - Warehouse Theatre Company and Black Theatre Co-operative
Co-production - Commission & Premiere
THE RESSURECTIONISTS by Dominic McHale - A Warehouse Theatre
Company and Octagon Theatre, Bolton Co-production IPF selection 1997
"Dominic McHale's entertaining debut...hilarious" Evening
Standard - Commission & Premiere
DICK BARTON - Special
Agent (episode I) by Phil Willmott , Musical Direction by Stefan Bednarczyk -
Commission & Premiere "parody
songs, dance routines and pythonesque FUN that has the audience ROLLING
IN THE AILES" Evening Standard
1999
THE OTHER SHORE
by Sarah Wood Attic
Theatre Company - Premiere
TALES OF A CITY
by Goran Stefanovski Theatre Melange - Premiere
HAPPY & GLORIOUS
by Richard Vincent - Commission & Premiere
DICK BARTON Special
Agent( episode I) (Revival) by Phil Willmott ,Musical direction Stefan Bednarczyk
followed by national
tour 2000
DICK BARTON Episode
ll THE CURSE OF THE PHARAOH'S TOMB by Phil Willmott, Music al Direction Stefan Bednarczyk
- Warehouse commission & premiere.
Also at Greenwich Theatre 2000
"Guaranteed to send you home with a smile on your face" What's
On
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2000
WEILL &
LENYA by Judith
Paris with additional dialogue by Ken Russell -Pluto Productons with
Judith Paris in associ with Warehouse Theatre Co
PAUL ROBESON KNEW
MY FATHER by Greg
Cullen - Hijinx Theatre Company - Premiere
THE DOVE by Roumen Shomov -IPF selection 1998
"this fascinating play...an accurate reflection of lunacy of daily
life" Guardian
Commission & Premiere
THE DREAMER by Ade Morris - Watermill Theatre
West Berkshire Playhouse - Premiere
HARRY AND ME
by Nigel Williams - Two's Company production in association with Warehouse
Theatre Company - Premiere
GOD'S OFFICIAL by Robert Farquar - a Sally Vaughan
and Richard Jordon production in association with Warehouse Theatre
Company - Premiere
CARBARET GALACTICA
by Rob Ballard - Performance Theatre Co - Commission & Premiere
2001
IN CAHOOTS by Camden People's Theatre - Premiere
A DOLLS HOUSE by
Henrik Ibsen - Custard Factory Theatre Company
THE SHAGAROUND by Maggie Nevill IPF selection in
1999. Showcased in Italian at the Premio Candoni-Arta Terme. Warehouse
Theatre Company and the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton co-production.
Opened Nuffield Theatre, toured to Ashcroft Theatre,
Soho Theatre and Brighton Theatre Royal. "Strutting wit and attitude with emotional vulnerability."
Evening Standard - Commission & Premiere
LONE FLYER by Ade Morris - Watermill Theatre
West Berkshire Playhouse - Premiere
AY CARMELA! by
Jose Sanchis Sinistrea, translated by Nilo Cruz and Catalina Botello
- Out Of the Box Productions - Premiere
VOYAGERS Devised by Kenneth Rea - Jet Theatre
Company - Commission & Premiere
DICK BARTON Episode
III The Tango Of Terror by Phil Willmott. Musical direction by Stefan Bednarczyk
- Commission & Premiere
toured to Yvonne
Arnaud Theatre, Guilford & Swan Theatre,Stratford-upon-Avon " Dick continues to penetrate
the nations hearts" Eve Standard
2002
THE MEN'S ROOM
by Joshua James - Icon Productions in association with Warehouse Theatre
- British premiere
SKIN DEEP by
Richard Vincent - Commission & Premiere
BIG BOYS by
Charles Fourie. A Stages International production in association with
Warehouse Theatre Company - British premiere
I AM OSCAR WILDE
by Stuart Denman - Skillduggery - Premiere
THE MEETING by Jeff Stetson - Nubian Nights and
Warehouse Theatre Company
THREE SERVANTS by
Ryan Craig - Jet Theatre - Commission & Premiere
DICK BARTON Episode
IV The Flight of the Phoenix by Duncan Wisbey and Stefan Bednarcxyk with Ted Craig
Commission & Premiere "an enegetic and talented
cast tells this tale of derring-do with great aplomb. As well as delivering
viruoso comic performances, they also sing with vigour, and even double
up as the band for the musical numbers, which borrow familiar classical
tunes and set them to witty new lyrics ...dashed good fun! The Times
2003
DICK BARTON
Episode IV The Flight of the Phoenix
extended to 23 February
24 Feb - 16 April Theatre closed for necessary works and refurbishment
LADY DAY AT
EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL
KNOCK DOWN GINGER by
Mark Norfolk Commission & World Premiere
MRS RUSKIN by Kim Morrissey in assoc with Theatre
Metropolis - World premiere
MISS JULIE by August Strinberg set in British
Raj in assoc with Naach & Tara Arts
THE TUNNEL OF OBSESSION
adapted by David
Graham-Young from the novel by Ernesto Sabato - World Premiere
DICK BARTON Episode V The Excess of Evil by Duncan Wisbey and Stefan Bednarcyk with Ted Craig
Commission & World Premiere "With
endless gags delivered by a cast of six actors who also play a couple
of dozen characters between them
plus an amazing range of musical instruments, the evening jollies along
at an hilarious pace that would get even James Bond shaken and stirred"
What's On in London "The show's creators...have come up with several Christmas
crackers (and) an ingenious plot with more
twists and turns than an exhibitionist boa-constrictor" Evening
Standard "The gags
come thick and fast" Sunday Telegraph
2004
DICK BARTON
Episode V The Excess of Evil sell out season extended to 29 February
RED SUN by David Rudkin London Premiere "in
a theatre dominated by domesticity, Rudkin's work stands out as the
product of an unnerving myth-haunted imagination" Michael Billington
The Guardian
QUEER COUNSEL
by Nick Bamford in assoc with FOD Productions World Premiere
MR AND MRS SCHULTZ
by Alex Jones in assoc with Watermill West Berkshire Playhouse World
Premiere
DIRTY FAN MALE Jonny
Trunk/Duncan Wisbey 'Positively tumescent with English X-rated vulgarity...very
funny!' Bruce Dessan Evening Standard
'A work of pure genius' Danny Baker 'Unstintingly
hilarious...a rare and finely wrought treat' Lucy Powell Time Out
ROMEO AND JULIET
by William Shakespeare Daylight Players A heart-pounding Shakespeare...
Every player is at the peak of their abilities.
Kvallsposten
/ Kultur (Sweden)
OPEN HOUSE
by Helena Thompson World Premiere
FEMME FATALE written by Phil Willmott directed
by Ted Craig music by Stefan Bednarczyk WTC Production World Premiere
'a jolly successor to this theatre's long line of Dick
Barton spoofs' The Guardian 'flirtatiously
funny' What's On in London
"there's plenty to enjoy in Ted Craig's buoyant production..."
The Times
2005
FEMME FATALE
extended until 20 February
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
by Frank Barrie London Shakepreare Group & Warehouse Theatre London
premiere
"A marvellous
play, funny, poignant, humane and witty"Giles Brandreth"A
sign of a good play when you talk about it for days after" The
Guide
THE KINDNESS
OF STRANGERS by
Sara Mason starring Susannah York World Premiere "Susannah York, under Ted Craig's direction, is rivetting as Elaine. She implies both faded-European
gentility and a sexual friskiness that she memorably turns upon her
male captor" Michael Billington The Guardian
BLOWING WHISTLES
by Matthew Todd World Premiere "Blowing
Whistles is wholly engaging and remarkably astute. Many 'gay' plays
follow a highly banal format, whereas this is razor sharp, witty and
shockingly true-to-life. With first-rate direction from Phil Willmott
and a highly proficient cast, this is incisive and intelligent and Todd's
play is indeed worthy of praise. By all accounts, it's unparalleled."
Mark Hill, South London Press
THICK by
Rick Bland London Premiere
THE HOT ZONE by Nirjay Mahindru World Premiere TIME
OUT Critics' Choice
MAKING DICKIE HAPPY
by Jeremy Kingston "Kingston's
wittily ingenious play'" The Guardian 'a witty collision
of characters in a sugar-spun
comedy boasting a succession of deliciously camp one-liners' Daily
Telegraph
WOODY ALLEN'S
MURDER MYSTERIES adaplted from Woody Allen's short stories by Janey Clarke
World Premiere
"An hilarious show...brilliant idea...an ideal evening for thinking
jokers and joking thinkers" Sunday Times
2006
WOODY ALLEN'S
MURDER MYSTERIES played until Sun 19 Feb
BEING OLIVIA by George Parsons World Premiere
"Superb" Times TIME OUT Critics' Choice
MY LIFE by Karla Williams World Premiere
THE HOUSE OF NO
RETURN Oddbodies
Theatre Co London premiere "A genuinely inverntive blast of fresh
air...unique" Ev Standard
IMOGEN by Toby Clarke "A
little marvel of a play" Daily Telegraph TIME
OUT Critics' Choice
TWO MUSICALS: TRAINRIDE and GIRLS' NIGHT OUT Impetuous Kinship Premiere "takes over where
'Sex and the City' left off -
with songs!" Time Out
NO OBVIOUS
TRAUMA Unpacked
'Images you will want to pack away for later recall' TimeOut 'Inventive,
Beautiful & Chilling' The Scotsman
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES
by Eugene Scribe translated by Anthony Curtis British Premiere
'Stylish' The Guardian
'impressive, and consistently fascinating' Financial Times
LOVE AND HUMAN REMAINS
by Brad Fraser - first major revival for 10 years "Mark
Ravenhill meets Will and Grace meets Sam Shepard" Mail
YOUNG DICK BARTON
book by Duncan Wisbey lyrics by Stefan Bednarczyk Directed
by Ted Craig WTC Production World Premiere
"FAST, FURIOUS & FUN - OH SUCH FUN!"
Advertiser "Duncan Wisbey's exuberant script
What'sOnStage "Won over by the versatile
cast who double up in an avalanche of parts and play all the musical
instruments" Sunday Telegraph "A constant
delight" The Times
2007
YOUNG DICK BARTON
extended to Sunday 25 February
PRAMFACE by
Lizzie Hopley London Premiere "Hilarious...mesmerising"
Daily Telegraph
CRUNCH by
Daniel Goldman "inventive, imaginative and delivered with
a bucketload of chutzpah" The Scotsman
BUT BEAUTIFUL by SignDance Ensemble "simply
stunning" Eastbourne Gazette
VACANT POSSESSION
by Ray Brown"
Sympathetic, clever writing, beautifully performed" ***** British
Theatre Guide
SOME
KINDA' ARIZONA by John Bashford World Premiere
CRY MY ZIMBABWE Theatre Under Fire
THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN
DROOD by Rupert
Holmes "accomplished, quirky entertainment, bursting with energy
and panache" Times
"Ted Craig's bouyant, enjoyable production...the audience is given
a good time and I was glad to be among people enjoying themselves"
Paul Taylor Independent "The whole cast performs
with zest" Michael Billington The Guardian
2008
THE MYSTERY
OF EDWIN DROOD by
Rupert Holmes played until Sun 24 February
STAN LAUREL - Please Stand Up by Bob Kingdom
World Premiere with Richard Jordon Productions
CLOCKED by Neil Flynn World Premiere of IPF07
selection WTC Production "Sharply scripted...ambiguity and menace
permeate every line" Time Out
THE TWILIGHT RAINBOW
Theatre Under Fire World Premiere "Joyous...a must see! Times
FALSTAFFbyJohn Wood & Roger Forbes
from the novel by Robert Nye "Oh! What a Knight! Ottowa Sun
MISS SIGN-ON a new musical by Jamie Read
& Stefan Bednarczyk "Superb new musical - feisty performances"
**** Three Weeks
ANOTHER KIND OF SILENCE a play about Rachel
Carson by Liz Rothchild "Striking piece of theatre **** The
List
DOUBLE BILL - DYLAN THOMAS:Return Journey
"A thrilling lyrical journey" The Guardian &
The TRUMAN CAPOTE TALK Show "Bob Kingdom's beautifuuly
guaged and eloquent performance" Evening Standard
HARD TIMES adaptation of Charles Dickens'
novel by Icon Theatre Company
YOUNG DICK BARTON episode 2 - THE DEVIL WEARS
TWEED by Duncan Wisbey, music & lyrics by
Stefan Bednarczyk - World Premiere
"comic book energy...engaging and warly played" The Times
2009
YOUNG DICK BARTON - THE
DEVIL WEARS TWEED by Duncan Wisbey, music &
lyrics by Stefan Bednarczyk ontil Sunday 22 February
THE TWILIGHT RAINBOW
Theatre Under Fire World Premiere "Joyous...a must see! Times
THE BARBER OF
SAVILE ROW Unespected
Opera "splendidly conceived and wittily directed by Lynn Binstock"
Eastern Daily Press
THE IRON EYELASHES
Imaginery Forces "a little
marvel of a play... quite beautifully performed" Daily
Telegraph
DANCES FOR A LOST
TRAVELLER by SignDance Ensemble "Unforgettable...bravery
and innovative spirit...'
WhatsonStage.com 03.07.09
HA HA HITLER!
by Ben Langley, produced by Jamie Wilson Productions 'Ben
Langley is the ideal comic performer...One of the best I've ever seen...
A terrific performer" Independent --
World Premiere
THE MEETING by Jeff Stetson - Nubian Nights presents
a Crying in the Wilderness production in association with Warehouse
Theatre Company
"Moving and effective theatre" British Theatre Guide
THE JOY OF POLITICS
presented by The Black Sheep - World Premiere "Belly
laughs, sharp setire and a contagious sense of fun" The
Times
DICK BARTON - QUANTUM OF PORRIDGE by
Duncan Wisbey, music & lyrics by Stefan Bednarczyk
- World Premiere
"pun-filled festve treat...a great evening out!" Time Out
05.01.10 "the acting is excellent; Stefan Bednarczyk's lyrics
are as clever
as his music is bright" The Times 05.01.10
2010
DICK
BARTON - QUANTUM OF PORRIDGE by
Duncan Wisbey, music & lyrics by Stefan Bednarczyk until
21February
RELAX
by
Robert Farrar
- World Premiere
ORPHEUS
DOWN UNDER
Unexpected Opera
NAKED
SOLDIERS by
Mark Norfolk - World Premiere
Ovid's METAMORPHOSES
Pants on Fire 'Glorious. A breakthrough show -
a giddy delight!' Lyn Gardner Guardian
HEROIN(E) FOR BREAKFAST by Philip Stokes "quite
astonishingly accomplished, so beautifully written, staged and acted
that it takes one's breath away" Sunday Telegraph
CARDENIO by Shakespeare &
Fletcher in a new edit by Luis del Aguila
DICK BARTON - A FISTFUL OF BARTON
by Kit Benjamin & Philip Ives, musical director
Stefan Bednarczyk World Premiere
2011
DICK
BARTON - A FISTFUL OF BARTON
by Duncan Wisbey, music & lyrics by Stefan
Bednarczyk ontil Sunday 20 February
HA HA HOLMES
by Ben Langley, produced by Jamie Wilson Productions 'Ben
Langley is the ideal comic performer...One of the best I've ever seen...
A terrific performer" Independent --
World Premiere
DAVID BENSON REP SEASON James Seabright Productions
BEHIND YOU by Dave Marsden
WHOSE OSCAR IS IT ANYWAY? Rae Baker, Stefan Bednarczyk
& Duncan Wisbey
WHERE THE FLOWERS GROW by Mark Norfolk World Premiere
SCREWED AGAIN Four Screws
Loose "A rattlebag of comic treats...FANTASTIC!" Broadway
Baby
THE GIRLS byRay Harrison - The Graham Grassmarket
Projec
TWO HALVES OF GUINNESS James Seabright
Productions A first-rate performance: this is a great piece of
writing,
directing and acting. The Latest Brighton
THE FUMIDOR by Peter Bramley/ Pants
On Fire "this smorgasbord
of theatrical conventions Pants on Fire is flaunting
with immaculate confidence" New
York press
DON QUIXOTE by Vince Foxall music by Mia
Soteriou - Warehouse Theatre Company "Sexy vibrancy, panache and
great laughs
- a titillating selection of tapas!" TimeOut "Beguiling"
The Times
2012
DON
QUIXOTE by Vince Foxall music by Mia Soteriou - Warehouse Theatre
Company until 19 February
NEW GOLD SignDance International "Signs
of brilliance" TimeOut
CALL
MR ROBESON by Tayo Aluko "First rate!"
Michael Billington Guardian "A triumph" BroadwayWorld.com
WAREHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY GOES INTO ADMINISTRATION - May (35th Birthday)
Survey reveals serious problems with structure and building is closed
in November and later demolished.
WAREHOUSE PHOENIX
LIMITED
established to carry on the proud new writing
tradition of the Warehouse Theatre.
2013
Warehouse
Phoenix produces
2013 INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL
at Fairfield Halls - June
THE ROAD TO NOWHERE by Sean Cook
World Premiere of the selected play from the 2013 International
Playwriting Festival
presented at the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon
-- October
Warehouse Theatre sadly demolished in
November
2014
Warehouse
Phoenix produces 2014
INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL at Fairfield Halls
17 & 18 May
2015
Warehouse
Phoenix produces 2015
INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL at Fairfield Halls 25 & 26 July
2016
Warehouse
Theatre takes back its name and produces the 30th 2016
INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL 10 & 11 September
in the Debating Chamber at the Town Hall.
2017/8
Warehouse
Theatre celebrates its 40th BIRTHDAY in May but no support forthcoming
from the Council.
2019
Goodbye
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