Battersea Arts Centre

Theatre, Experimental Battersea
5 out of 5 stars
(10user reviews)
Runner-up<br/>2016

Runner-up
2016
Runner-up<br/>2016

Runner-up
2016
Battersea Arts Centre_CREDIT_Pau Ross (1).jpg
© Pau Ross

South London's erratic temple of the avant-garde

The forward-thinking Battersea Arts Centre, which inhabits the old Battersea Town Hall, has become synonymous with experimental theatre. Under long-term artistic director David Jubb it's styled itself as home of 'scratch' (work-in-progress) performance, but frequently breaks cover with mini-festivals of finished work and the occasional huge, mad project – notably Punchdrunk's immersive 'Masque of the Red Death', which totally took over the entire theatre for a year. It also fosters strong links with the local community – not least as a venue to get married in – and is popular with comedians as a venue for trialling new work.

It has a constantly festival air, with cheap tickets and a convivial bar that offers a wide selection of beers and decent tapas.

Its occasionally turbulent history has been marked by at least one theatre of closure due to loss of funding, and a dramatic fire in March 2015 that closed large portions of the building.

To the outside eye, however, BAC remains indestructible, with fire damage just another phase in a building that's in constant flux and development. 

Posted:

Venue name: Battersea Arts Centre
Contact:
Visit Website Call Venue 020 7223 2223
Address: Lavender Hill
London
SW11 5TN
Transport: BR: Clapham Junction; Tube: Clapham Common/Stockwell
Do you own this business?
Static map showing venue location

Pick a date

to
  • Theatre

    ‘No Kids’ review

    George Mann and Nir Paldi are a real-life couple who, as Bristol-based company Ad Infinitum, have been making shows for ten years. Not together. God no. That would be a disaster. Or so they tell us. And although this show, their first attempt at equal...

    2 out of 5 stars
    Drama Until Saturday February 23 2019
  • (© Rosie Powell)
    Theatre

    ‘I'm a Phoenix, Bitch’ review

    Imagine a metaphysical glitter cannon of trauma being fired straight at your chest and you’re halfway to understanding the vast, agonising intensity of Bryony Kimmings’s new solo show. It’s the story of a time in her life that nearly floored her: relationship...

    4 out of 5 stars
    Experimental Wednesday February 20 2019 - Saturday March 9 2019
  • Theatre

    dressed.

    Four women explore how clothes build their sense of identity in 'dressed.', a hit show from last year's Edinburgh fringe. Young company ThisEgg mix onstage sewing, comedy, live music, and storytelling to create an experimental, eclectic look at getting...

    Experimental Monday February 25 2019 - Saturday March 2 2019
  • Comedy

    Ben Target: Splosh!

    Daring art-comedian Ben Target was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2012 Edinburgh Comedy Awards and is constantly reinventing himself.  His latest solo show, 'Splosh!', is a mix of storytelling, live art, silly jokes and physical comedy, all based...

    Solo shows Tuesday February 26 2019 - Saturday March 2 2019
  • Theatre

    Kourtney Kardashian

    Sleepwalk Collective has carved out a rep for moody, doomy experimental shows that riff on pop culture. 'Kourtney Kardashian' is the latest in their trilogy of works about the Kardashian sisters, and it's a conceptual riff on the opera genre, performed...

    Experimental Wednesday February 27 2019 - Saturday March 2 2019

Average User Rating

4.9 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:9
  • 4 star:1
  • 3 star:0
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|10
1 person listening
Tastemaker

An old town hall is transformed to a creative hub that hosts theatre/dance/music performances. A historic building open all day, with 2 bars for coffee & drinks.


Love this place....great productions...beautiful venue and quirky bar...what more do you need??


I keep remembering the Mask of the Red Death. Can't get it out of my head. It's got to THE venue in London capable of handling such an immersive event. I wish to god they'd do it again!


Beautiful building ,refurbished to high standard,great theatre,comedy and art and a great bar with lovely food!


Rising from the ashes.....BAC is a great community resource. Interesting plays, talks, good bar/food and discounts if you become a member which is only £24 a year and helps support them.


Battersea Arts Centre is a brilliant theatre that involves young people in creative and fun yet demanding productions. It is doing wonderful work, getting people involved and for people to go and see.

Tastemaker

If I lived in Battersea or Clapham, I would be a regular here. Not only do they have a range of plays, comedy and workshops but they have a super chic bar that serves delicious food and a great range of drinks. It is all so comfortable that I don’t know how people leave. The staff are friendly and relaxed and the atmosphere is social but not your pub kind of ‘rowdy’ or ‘in your face’. Battersea’s cultural gem! 

View all reviews

Snap up exclusive discounts in London

Time Out's handpicked deals — hurry, they won't be around for long...