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Enjoy a performance at the King's Head Theatre in London's Islington, a venue renowned for its diverse programme and support of emerging artists. Image courtesy of the King's Head Theatre.

Kings Head Theatre | Upper Street, Islington

Islington and Angel

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Address: 116 Upper Street

London

N1 1QN

About

Discover an eclectic programme of events at the Victorian King’s Head Theatre in Islington. Once tucked away in the back room of the King’s Head pub, the theatre now enjoys its own dedicated space just behind the pub.

Renowned as a home for LGBTQ+ theatre, the venue also presents a rich mix of plays and musicals, alongside a vibrant cabaret programme featuring drag, comedy, and more.

What’s on at the King's Head Theatre

The King's Head Theatre's programme showcases a diverse line-up of innovative productions each year. Be sure to purchase your tickets early so you don't miss out on these exciting performances! Click the booking button on this page to see the theatre's current and upcoming shows.

Over the years, the King's Head Theatre has brought a varied programme to the stage, mixing genres from musicals to plays and cabaret, many enjoying success from the outset. In 1983, the revival of Mr Cinders opened at the theatre and later transferred to the West End. Other notable productions include the 1983 production of Noel and Gertie, starring Joanna Lumley, and the 1988 premiere of Tom Stoppard’s Artist Descending a Staircase, which later transferred to Broadway. Opera Up Close was a resident company for four years, and their production of La Bohème won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best New Opera.

More recently, the theatre hosted its first pantomime in 2024: Cinderella, directed by Andy Pollard, starring Drag Race UK’s Ella Vaday, and featuring a voice-over by Dame Judi Dench. Other notable productions include the premiere of Shock Treatment, the sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Trainspotting, which ran for 900 performances.

King's Head Theatre history

Opened in 1970 by Dan Crawford, who served as artistic director for 35 years, the King's Head Theatre was the first pub theatre to be established in London since the days of Shakespeare. Since then, the venue has continued to push the boundaries of theatre and champion tomorrow’s greatest talents, evolving from its fringe roots to pioneering stage performances. Renowned actors that we all love made their acting debuts at the King's Head, including Maureen Lipman, Hugh Grant, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Alan Rickman and Richard E. Grant.

From the beginning, the King's Head Theatre has built a legacy by discovering new talent and staging new productions and world premieres. After 53 years, The King's Head Pub Theatre closed its doors in 2023 and reopened in 2024 in a new building behind the pub. Proud of its legacy, the new theatre is pursuing innovative ways to continue breaking boundaries in live theatre. It aims to remove barriers, work directly with producers and develop artistic programmes that bring opportunities for creatives to thrive.

Why you should go:

Diverse selection of shows: The King’s Head Theatre is renowned for its long-standing support of the LGBTQ+ community, both on and off stage. Its programme offers an exciting mix of comedy, musicals, plays and cabaret, ensuring there’s something for every theatre-lover.
Award-winning artistic program: The As Yet Unscene programme champions artistic development across acting, directing and writing. It actively supports emerging talent by supporting new playwrights through workshops and rehearsal readings.
Supporting artists: By attending, you’re directly supporting independent and early-career artists, helping to bring bold storytelling to the stage and giving new voices the platform they need to strive.

King’s Head Theatre seating plan

The King's Head Theatre has a total capacity of 200 seats.

The stage is surrounded on three sides by seats. The intimate setting of the theatre ensures that, regardless of whether your seat is on either side or at the front, you will have a clear view of the stage.

How do I get to King's Head Theatre?

The Off-West End theatre venue is located in Islington, on 116P Upper Street.

How to get there:

Underground – Angel (Northern line) is the closest tube station, about 10 minutes’ walk to the theatre.
Bus – The following bus routes (4, 19, 30, 43, N19, N41 and N277) stop by St Mary's Church (Stop N), located just a few minutes’ walk away.
Cycling – Rent a Santander Cycles bike and head to Islington Green on Angel, where you can find the nearest docking station.

Visit London tip

Make sure you arrive at The King's Head Theatre on time, as the venue has a strict admission policy. Due to the unique layout of the auditorium, audience members must cross the stage to reach their seats, so late arrivals could potentially disturb the show.

FAQs

Is King's Head Theatre accessible?

The King's Head Theatre has introduced an accessibility scheme to improve the venue for audiences and performers. The theatre has step-free access, with the bar and theatre spaces located below ground and accessible by wheelchair lifts. Captioned, audio-described and relaxed performances, as well as other accessible shows, are listed on the theatre’s website under the individual show pages.

What time does the box office open?

The building's opening hours can vary depending on the programming schedule. It opens 45 minutes before the start of each show. However, the phone lines are open from 3 pm to 5:30 pm, Monday to Saturday.

What are the best seats in King's Head Theatre?

Thanks to its intimate layout, every seat in the auditorium of the King's Head Theatre offers a great view of the stage.

What food and drink is available at King's Head Theatre?

There are two bars within the King's Head Theatre: the Above Bar and the 4Below Bar. Only a limited selection of snacks is available at these bars. For a wider selection, visit The King's Head Pub, which offers toasties and cheese boards.

Does The King's Head Theatre have a cloak room?

As there is no cloakroom at the King's Head Theatre, it is advised that you do not bring large bags to the venue. Only small bags and jackets are permitted.

Which hotels are nearby to King's Head Theatre?

There’s no shortage of hotels around Angel, with options to suit every budget and style. Here are some of our top picks:

Hilton London Angel Islington (14 minutes’ walk)

Located at the heart of bustling Islington, a few steps away from the vibrant Exmouth Market. It’s a good base for catching a show at Sadler’s Wells, with spacious rooms and plenty of dining options nearby.

Premier Inn London Angel Islington (13 minutes’ walk)

This is a great, budget-friendly option just a short walk from Angel, offering stylish, modern rooms. It's an ideal location for a no-frills theatre night.