Play
Our Town
The 75th anniversary production of Thornton Wilder's classic Pulitzer Prize-winning play
King's Head Theatre
King's Head Theatre
115 Upper St, Islington, Greater London, London N1 1QNThe 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 for a pint on his way to see his mistress). The current building dates back to the 1800s.
Dan Crawford took over The King's Head in 1970, and founded the King’s Head Theatre in a room that had been used as a boxing ring and pool hall, establishing the first pub theatre in London since Shakespeare’s day. Under his leadership the pub became well-known for ringing up pounds, shillings and pence until 2008, a full thirty-seven years after the rest of the UK had switched to decimal currency. Five years on, the old till still sits behind the bar. The pub is packed full of other period details, including gas lights, the original bar, old photography, and coal fires that burn continuously throughout the winter.
Crawford led The King's Head for thirty-five years, establishing it as a breeding ground for new talent and great work. The walls of the pub display the multitude of famous faces that began their career here. In 2010, Olivier Award-winning UpClose Productions became The King's Head Theatre’s resident company, and Adam Spreadbury-Maher was appointed the venue’s second Artistic Director, working alongside Robin Norton-Hale who leads the company’s opera programme. UpClose Productions produce at least eight shows a year, and curate the work of visiting companies all year round. The venue’s reputation for nurturing new talent continues, with pioneering Trainee Director scheme (winner of the Royal Anniversary Trust Award in 1992) still being run by UpClose Productions. Recent graduates have gone on to work at the National Theatre, RSC, Lyric Hammersmith and the Globe, plus many other internationally-renowned companies.
Echo is the current production at King's Head Theatre. The upcoming booking period for Echo at King's Head Theatre starts 18/07/2025 19:00:00 and runs until 17/08/2025 14:00:00. Tickets for Echo start at £13 and are available to book now.
Four Play is the current production at King's Head Theatre. The upcoming booking period for Four Play at King's Head Theatre starts 11/07/2025 19:30:00 and runs until 17/08/2025 18:00:00. Tickets for Four Play start at £13 and are available to book now.
Invasive Species is the current production at King's Head Theatre. The upcoming booking period for Invasive Species at King's Head Theatre starts 03/09/2025 21:00:00 and runs until 03/10/2025 21:00:00. Tickets for Invasive Species start at £13 and are available to book now.
Fanny is the upcoming production at King's Head Theatre. The upcoming booking period for Fanny at King's Head Theatre starts 10/10/2025 19:30:00 and runs until 15/11/2025 19:30:00. Tickets for Fanny start at £13 and are available to book now.
The Pitchfork Disney is the current production at King's Head Theatre. The upcoming booking period for The Pitchfork Disney at King's Head Theatre starts 27/08/2025 15:00:00 and runs until 04/10/2025 19:00:00. Tickets for The Pitchfork Disney start at £13 and are available to book now.
Jack and the Beanstalk is the current production at King's Head Theatre. The upcoming booking period for Jack and the Beanstalk at King's Head Theatre starts 23/11/2025 13:00:00 and runs until 04/01/2026 17:00:00. Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk start at £13 and are available to book now.
Jack and the Beanstalk - Adult is the current production at King's Head Theatre. The upcoming booking period for Jack and the Beanstalk - Adult at King's Head Theatre starts 27/11/2025 19:00:00 and runs until 03/01/2026 18:00:00. Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk - Adult start at £13 and are available to book now.
King's Head Theatre is located in London. The full address is King's Head Theatre, 115 Upper St, Islington, Greater London, London N1 1QN.
Play
Echo
Opens 18 July 2025
"I wasn't born. I was made."
From £13
Play
Four Play
Opens 11 July 2025
There must be a part of you that’s curious, right?
From £13
Play
Invasive Species
Opens 03 September 2025
A true story about lying to live, and living to lie
From £13
Musical
Fanny
Opens 10 October 2025
We have to play the music that gets handed to us
From £13
Play
The Pitchfork Disney
Opens 27 August 2025
A beautiful stranger enters a home locked and protected against the outside world
From £13
Pantomime
Jack and the Beanstalk
Opens 23 November 2025
Islington's best family panto is back for its second year! Oh yes it is!
From £13
Pantomime
Jack and the Beanstalk - Adult
Opens 27 November 2025
Islington’s favourite panto is about to get naughty!
From £13
Play
The Boat Factory
Play
Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off
Play
Autobahn
Play
A Tale of Two Cities
World premiere of the apaptation by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud
Play
And Then The Rodeo Burned Down
And Then The Rodeo Burned Down at King's Head Theatre is an electric hour of clowning!
Musical
Vulvarine: A New Musical
Vulvarine swoops into the King's Head Theatre to save the day
Play
Bright Half Life
Pulitzer Prize nominee Tanya Barfield's new show comes to London for a limited run!
Play
Undetectable
Undetectable returns in 2020 to open the new King's Head season!
Play
Breeding
First comes love, second comes marriage, third comes a lengthy adoption process...
Musical
DIVA: Live From Hell
The devilish solo musical returns to London. See you in Hell.
Play
Houdini's Greatest Escape
An innovative adaptation of the tale of the world's greatest entertainer.
Musical
Cinderella
Boogie on over to the ball this Christmas!
Play
ENG-ER-LAND
A funny, painful play about longing to belong
Play
Northbound Boy
A new queer comedy about a boy that steals your heart
Play
Wiesenthal
Based on a true story, witness one man's courageous fight for justice.
Play
Mad Gay King
Don’t miss the fascinating retelling of King Ludwig II, The Mad King.
Play
Buyer and Cellar
Starring Rob Madge, this wickedly funny comedy returns to London.
Play
How To Survive Your Mother
Based on a true story, of a technicolour woman in a black and white world.
Play
Queen Bette
The Queen has no hour for love.
Musical
Cinderella
Boogie on over to the ball this Christmas!
Play
Firebird
The gay military epic that enraged Putin's Russia
Musical
Stalled The Musical
Everyone knows the ladies loos is home to the best drama!
Musical
The Show On The Roof
Come on up for this poignant and joyful new musical.
Play
Puppy
An empowering new play which stands up to the patriarchy.
Play
(This is not A) Happy Room
A happy room is not where the family is…
Play
The Gang of Three
Harold Wilson resigned...what happened next?
Musical
The King of Pangea
Set sail on this enchanting journey to the world of Pangea.