The Stage

King’s Head returns to producing

Published Tuesday 4 April 2006 at 13:40 by Nuala Calvi

The King’s Head Theatre, Islington, is to revert to its former status as a producing house, according to Stephanie Sinclaire, artistic director and widow of the venue’s founder, Dan Crawford.

Sinclaire, who took over the running of the theatre with former associate artistic director Ann Pinnington after her husband’s death last year, intends 70% of its programme to be made up of new and classic musicals and is already working on several original ideas with composer Michael Reed. A production of Peter Pan will take place at Christmas and a revival of Vivian Ellis’s musical Lady Godiva is planned.

A series of gala evenings is being held to raise money for a refurbishment of the venue, which it is hoped will help secure corporate sponsorship for the shows.

Despite being a pioneer of fringe theatre and transferring more than 30 productions to the West End, the King’s Head lost its public subsidy in the late nineties and was forced to become a receiving house.

Sinclaire told The Stage: “It was because Dan did things like musicals that the funding bodies didn’t think we were kosher. Now I’m taking it over, I’m saying I’m not standing for this. If the government won’t give us money we’re hoping the community and corporate sponsors will bring in the finance we need.

“For 30 years the King’s Head was one of the really great producing theatres in London and discovered exciting new talent like Hugh Grant, Victoria Wood and Sam West. I’m committed to continuing that tradition.”

Stars of stage and screen have been lined up to take part in the fundraising “champagne evenings”, including Maureen Lipman, Celia Imrie, Susannah York, Linda Marlowe, Anita Dobson, Morgan Crowley, Dave Willets and Angela Richards. The events will consist of musical tributes, variety acts, interviews and play readings, as well as an auction in June hosted by Jeffrey Archer.

Cameron Mackintosh has donated seats from his Novello theatre to the venue and Sinclaire plans to refurbish the toilets, as well as lifting the roof and increasing the venue’s capacity by 100 in the longer term. Approximately £100,000 is needed for the first stage of the renovation.

The King’s Head team is also keen to revive its education and outreach initiative, including its work with sensory impaired people. The venue already runs one of the largest programmes to train directors in the country but receives no grant or bursaries towards the scheme.