London venues: The King's Head Theatre
The King's Head theatre introduces itself as London's most ambitious pub theatre, committed to produce unapologetic work. Dan Crawford led the venue for 35 years establishing it as a breeding ground for new talents and great work. The walls of the pub display the multitude of famous faces that bean their careers here.
The King's Head Theatre stands on a plot of land that has been used as a public house since 1543, though for most of its history it has been known as the King's Head Tavern, the name itself coming from an old story about Henry VIII supposedly stopping by for a pint on his way to see his mistress. The current building dates back from the 1800's.
In 2010 the Olivier Award-winning UpClose Production became the theatre's resident company, and Adam Spreadbury-Maher was appointed the venue's second artistic director. At the Start of 2015, the third chapter of the King's Head Theatre began as the theatre celebrates her 45th anniversary.
With the departure of OperaUpClose, Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher chose to stay on, refocusing the venue's artistic policy towards new work and critical theatrical revivals. High quality and accessible classical music remains a part of the program with Charles Court Opera joining the venue as an associate company.
The venue's reputation for nurturing new talents continues, with pioneering trainee director scheme still being run by the King's Head theatre. Recent graduates have gone on to work at the National Theatre, RSC, Lyric Hammersmith and the Globe, plus many others internationally acclaimed companies.