Restaurants

Best experimental theatre

The Barbican

BAC
Assuming it survives Wandsworth Council’s efforts to turn it into a minor local attraction or even to close it down altogether, BAC continues to be the place to see the best of the new young companies, most of whom prefer to devise their own shows rather than working with playwrights. Many of them explore the essence of theatre. If you’re adventurous take in a Scratch night and get involved at the tentative beginnings of a new project. Click here for listings

Lyric Hammersmith
Artistic director David Farr has invited many of the companies first seen at BAC onto his more substantial stage. Popular Cornish company, Kneehigh, are regular visitors, most recently with their own take on ‘Cymbeline’ and David Farr’s own recent adaptation of ‘Metamorphosis’ made striking use of the stage. Click here for listings
Feature continues

Barbican
Graham Sheffield and Louise Jeffreys have made the Barbican a mecca for mind-altering large scale foreign theatre from the irony and wit of Robert Lepage to the scenic ambitiousness of Thomas Ostermeier. Recently a ritualistic, Ukrainian ‘Macbeth’ left even those who knew the play well baffled by the plot but entranced by the visuals. Click here for listings

Chelsea Theatre
Francis Alexander recently re-branded this theatre as a space for Live Art, something that’s been lacking in recent years in London. Its Sacred season has seen Gary Carter, Kazuko Hohki and Mem Morrison performing there, all very different but all creating new work without leaning on the conventions of traditional theatre. Click here for listings

Camden People’s Theatre
Small theatre in a bleak part of London that manages to produce a lively festival of physical and devised theatre every year.