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Post by n1david on Jul 20, 2022 16:43:27 GMT
This seems to have turned into a bit of a farce. The developers of the new residential/commercial development behind the KHT, Islington Square, have had to re-apply for Planning Permission as the original permission for building a theatre in the Islington Square development had expired, the only explanation being that they had failed to move forward with the project "for various reasons" (unspecified) in 2017. The space has apparently been configured but the KHT will need to fit it out. The plans for a studio theatre have vanished with that space being allocated to the gym in the development. Mark Ravenhill seems to be very frustrated and hinted that he had not been told the whole truth when taking on the position - when he joined it was announced that his first season in Q2 this year would be the last in the pub and the first in the new space, but obviously the opening of the new space is months away at least, assuming that permission is granted this time around. Islington Square doesn't seem to be doing great; the residential units seemed to sell quite well off-plan, but that was pre-Brexit and pre-Covid. The restaurant and shopping units are usually empty and, frankly, stupidly upmarket for the neighbourhood. I assume lack of uptake for the commercial spaces may have contributed to the delays to the new theatre. For anyone interested, the revised plans are here (click on 'Related Documents') Hideous URL hidden |
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Post by zahidf on Jun 22, 2023 8:28:08 GMT
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Post by n1david on Jun 22, 2023 10:29:54 GMT
That's a shame but I know from following his Twitter account he has really been quite unwell over the last few months.
As for the Kings Head itself, I can no longer find any reference to the new theatre on its website. What an episode.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 22, 2023 10:42:40 GMT
That's a shame but I know from following his Twitter account he has really been quite unwell over the last few months. As for the Kings Head itself, I can no longer find any reference to the new theatre on its website. What an episode. That's really sad on both accounts but more importantly I hope Mark makes a speedy recovery |
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Post by n1david on Jul 27, 2023 7:39:13 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 27, 2023 7:54:26 GMT
It's great to hear they are moving as it was uncertain at times wasn't it ? I can't read the Stage article, but here is a screenshot from the theatres webpage and it sounds like the studio 'cabaret' space is still planned, perhaps it will open later. I'm really pleased for them as, over the years, i've seen some great stuff there.  |
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Post by Dave B on Jul 27, 2023 7:58:59 GMT
Oh amazing. I somehow had the impression this was all dead. They put on some great stuff and while I love that little room, I won't miss the dripping water and odd lights and always too hot or too cold. Link to their website with the full details here. kingsheadtheatre.com/our-new-home |
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Post by n1david on Jul 27, 2023 8:38:20 GMT
I can't read the Stage article, but here is a screenshot from the theatres webpage and it sounds like the studio 'cabaret' space is still planned, perhaps it will open later. Curious. The most recent planning application, to which I linked above, explicitly stated that the studio space had been removed from the application as the space had been allocated to the gym in the development. It could have been added back, but I live close enough that I should have been informed of any change to the planning application. |
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Post by princeton on Jul 27, 2023 15:40:18 GMT
I agree - it's all most curious.
Moving out of their current venue in a couple of weeks time but no indication about when they may move into the new one - just a vague statement "We’ll be announcing more details of the new theatre in the coming months, including the shows which will be in our inaugural season". A fit out can take a very long time - and a lot of money.
And who is actually in charge? Neither of the joint Artistic Directors who were appointed in 2021 are still there - and they don't seem to have had an Executive Director for the last year or so. How can you possibly move into a new building and launch a new artistic vision without any leadership?
I do hope that the new theatre(s) does happen and reignites the King's Head brand - however it's all looking rather too opaque at the moment to be confident about the way forward.
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Post by Jan on Jul 27, 2023 17:05:49 GMT
I can't read the Stage article, but here is a screenshot from the theatres webpage and it sounds like the studio 'cabaret' space is still planned, perhaps it will open later. Curious. The most recent planning application, to which I linked above, explicitly stated that the studio space had been removed from the application as the space had been allocated to the gym in the development. It could have been added back, but I live close enough that I should have been informed of any change to the planning application. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the new theatre never opened. Do you know what's happened to plans to open the new Collins Theatre on Islington Green ? That looked promising when Sally Greene was involved but it seems to be another failed project. I assume the theatre is physically still there ? www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/21227140.collins-theatre-plans-reopen-400-seater-underground-venue-beneath-islington-green-threat/ |
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Post by n1david on Jul 27, 2023 19:39:17 GMT
Do you know what's happened to plans to open the new Collins Theatre on Islington Green ? That looked promising when Sally Greene was involved but it seems to be another failed project. I assume the theatre is physically still there ? Last time I looked at it the project was essentially dead. The Collins Theatre Trust, who were the primary movers behind the project, wound themselves up in 2015. Islington Council subsequently did an analysis of whether a theatre in that space could be successful, and determined it could be, but they failed to find anyone interested in operating it. The theatre is still physically there and gets used periodically for video shoots and special events, but I doubt very much that it will ever open as a theatre. There is a thread on it somewhere here, but I'm sorry I can't find it now... |
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Post by imstillhere on Jul 28, 2023 22:31:58 GMT
This feels extremly murky. The two Incoming Artistic Directors stepping down and now a vague anouncement about a new space. What are the Board trying to hide?
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Post by Jan on Jul 29, 2023 7:44:54 GMT
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Post by n1david on Aug 2, 2023 13:40:07 GMT
Visited the old theatre for the last time last night for old times' sake. The less said about the show, 'Scream Queer Murder', the better. But glad to see the place one last time. Asked about timings for the new theatre and no-one was giving any answers. Wandered back through the Islington Square development and confirmed that the pic of the new theatre on the KH website is a mockup, there is still no signage above the entrance to the new theatre and no sign of any work going on.
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Post by n1david on Nov 16, 2023 9:10:29 GMT
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Post by terrylondon79 on Jan 6, 2024 10:31:30 GMT
Visited there new space last night to see exhibitionsists..
Could be a good theatre... Unfortunately seating is worse than old site. Why do fringe theatres insist on pushing seats so close together. Same problem as hope mill. Yes that's enough room to sit. But your shoulders and arms are bigger than the seat meaning, you squeezed against strangers.
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Post by n1david on Jan 6, 2024 22:50:07 GMT
File under "work in progress".
The entrance to the new theatre is hidden away with 51 steps down to the auditorium from street level (and a lift that isn't yet working). There's a tiny and rubbish bar about halfway down (there will apparently be a bigger bar at auditorium level in due course). The auditorium in this configuration (it can apparently be changed) has a good rake but horrible hotel conference room seating, too tight and no support. I hope that's temporary but I fear it is not. Biggest problem is that the auditorium is excessively hot - intolerable even sitting in a T-shirt. Front desk response was that AC is activated before and after the show, but not during because it's too loud. If it's intolerably hot in January, what will it be like in summer? (But then the auditorium is four storeys down so it's doubtful the ambient temperature has much impact)
As for the play, well it's typical KHT fare, described as an homage to 30s/40s screwball comedies, well it needs much better writing and much better acting. Runtime was announced as 90 minutes but we didn't get out until 8.50pm after a start scheduled at 7pm. Given that later in the run they have another show scheduled at 9pm the logistics of getting 200 people upstairs and another 200 people downstairs will be... interesting.
Tonight was apparently only the second show with an audience in the new space, as the soft launch between Christmas and New Year cancelled. Press night for 'Exhibitionists' is Monday, I wish them luck, but I think I'll give it a couple of months to bed in before I return. Especially at £35 for a ticket in a sauna.
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 7, 2024 19:24:02 GMT
Biggest problem is that the auditorium is excessively hot - intolerable even sitting in a T-shirt. Front desk response was that AC is activated before and after the show, but not during because it's too loud. If it's intolerably hot in January, what will it be like in summer? (But then the auditorium is four storeys down so it's doubtful the ambient temperature has much impact) Thanks for the warning. As far as I recall I never went to the previous theatre & after reading this I will certainly never be going to the new one! |
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Post by n1david on Feb 2, 2024 18:23:23 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 11, 2024 11:02:15 GMT
Well this was a disapointment.
Who placed the bar at the bottom of the stairs? Didnt they think this would cause a blockage? Would the odd space between the bar area and toilet corridor be a better place for the bar?
Tiny and uncomfortable theatre seats. The view from row H meant we couldnt see the stage floor and then if an actor sat down then we missed most of the scene.
Id be interested in seeing the auditorium with a raised stage or in a different configuration but bad design and a terrible opening play is not inspiring me to return.
Over the years ive really liked my trips to KH, i hope the negatives can be turned around.
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Post by adamkinsey on Feb 12, 2024 0:22:38 GMT
That sound you can hear is Dan Crawford turning in his grave
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Post by n1david on Apr 23, 2024 22:34:42 GMT
Revisited the theatre for the first time tonight. 'Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story'. Tempted by the promise of "our lovely new bar". And curious to see whether anything has been tweaked since January.
It doesn't appear to have been. The bar is still at the bottom of the entrance stairs, so people coming in and queueing for the bar block the entrance. The bar area is essentially a waiting area, absolutely not somewhere you'd want to meet beforehand and have a drink or linger afterwards. Seating in the main auditorium is still the same conference room type seating, no support, no width, no legroom (for people to get into the end of the row everyone nearer the aisle has to step out as there is insufficient room for people to squeeze through). Tonight, the temperature was cool, so they've obviously tweaked the AC since my first visit. The show tonight ran over, so we left the auditorium through the (closed) studio/cabaret space as the next show audience were already queueing outside.
I'd hoped that things might have been tweaked from the early opening. It hasn't. I'm sorry, but this place is now on my list of not-visits (along with Menier, Other Palace, Globe) as I just don't enjoy the visitor experience here. I've lived just around the corner from the old pub for over 30 years; I must have seen well over 100 shows at the old place. I'm desperately sorry that, for me, the Kings Head Theatre is no more.
As for the show, it did a good job of coming across in a scrappy/improvised way when it was actually very structured and well-planned. Very funny at times but I'd much rather have seen it at 9 or 10 in an Edinburgh Fringe venue than at 7pm in the new KHT. The audience reaction to this - and the (copious) audience participation - needed time to warm up, and while it was firing on all cylinders by the end it took a good half-hour to get going. Go see this, but not here.
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Post by cherokee on Apr 24, 2024 16:19:19 GMT
I saw Breeding - the previous show - there which I thought was great. The theatre was also laid out with the audience on three sides - like the Donmar - and I thought this configuration worked much better.
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Post by n1david on Apr 24, 2024 17:16:54 GMT
I saw Breeding - the previous show - there which I thought was great. The theatre was also laid out with the audience on three sides - like the Donmar - and I thought this configuration worked much better. Oh interesting, thanks. Both shows I've been to have had the end-on flat rows layout, I didn't know that they had started trying out different layouts yet. I might have a bit of a click through the upcoming programme to see if I can find another show with that layout to give it a try. Last night's show involved a lot of audience participation and in the semi-darkness and narrow rows it seemed to take an age for some audience members to make it onto the stage... |
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Post by mjh on Apr 24, 2024 22:56:00 GMT
They do have two different spaces - the 'cabaret' space with audiences on all three sides which was even more uncomfortable than the 'main house'.
I've seen three shows there now and all of them have started 15 minutes late.
Unimpressed so far.
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