Hampstead Theatre

Theatre, Off-West End Swiss Cottage
5 out of 5 stars
(5user reviews)
The Hampstead Theatre auditorium
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The Hampstead Theatre auditorium
Artistic director Ed Hall in the Hampstead Theatre auditorium
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Artistic director Ed Hall in the Hampstead Theatre auditorium

The modern off-West End theatre has a history of robust productions with wide-ranging appeal.

With its versatile main auditorium, the modern building of Hampstead Theatre is home to a host of meaty offerings since it was first founded in 1959, from new work by new playwrights and new work from old ones too. The likes of Debbie Tucker Green, Dennis Kelly and Mike Leigh have all had shows on in the early days of their careers, and the theatre has a history of its robust productions transferring to the West End.

Under Ed Hall's artistic direction the theatre downstairs is a platform for brand new work from very new writers and companies - that's not reviewed by critics - while the main house is a continued draw for respectable stars such as Roger Allam and Simon Russell Beale.

Grab a ticket for around £10 (concessions) to £35 for main house shows, while tickets in Hampstead's downstairs theatre are usually at the £12 mark. The bar area sells a good selection of hot meals and light bites, in a slightly cramped, but usually pretty buzzy atmosphere.

Posted:

Venue name: Hampstead Theatre
Contact:
Visit Website Call Venue 020 7722 9301
Address: Eton Avenue
London
NW3 3EX
Transport: Tube: Swiss Cottage
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Average User Rating

4.6 / 5

Rating Breakdown

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LiveReviews|5
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tastemaker

This is such a lovely theatre. It’s ideally situated right by a tube station, has unusually comfy seats and a fair amount of leg room. It’s also one of those shockingly rare theatre events....a theatre where every single seat has a great view. Loved this venue


Where else can you watch great theatre that goes on to play the West End, for a fiver??!!

Tastemaker

A stylish venue - not too big, not too small - with plenty to look at before plays and during intermissions. This includes give-one-take-one books, posters of old productions, and peekable offices. The theatre puts on lots of interesting, socially engaged modern writing. However, clearly a bit of licence has been taking in calling this the Hampstead Theatre when it's nowhere near that area. Own your Swiss Cottage-ness!

tastemaker

I've seen some wonderful productions here at great prices.  It draws some of the biggest theatrical names, too and the prices are at least half that in the West End proper. (Many of the productions are so good that they transfer to the West End anyway - with higher ticket prices.) There's a feeling of space here  - you can sit outside the back on the patio overlooking the landscaped area with your choice of drink or food from the bar - or browse the interesting market stalls at the front of the theatre.  There is a feeling of light and space you don't get in central London.  The loos are good too!  and the seats well upholstered and extremely comfortable.  A great place to enjoy wonderful entertainment.

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