A letter from Mehmet Ergen

Arcola audiences old and new, Mark Jagasia spent 12 years writing for some of Britain’s best-known newspapers. In 2007, he left the industry to write an explosive first play about it. Clarion shines a dazzling light on the dark heart of our national press. As soon as I received the script last year, I programmed a …

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An interview with Gareth Thomas

On a night in late February, Gareth Thomas – former captain of the Welsh rugby team and the most famous gay team sportsman in the world – took his family and friends to a theatre press night. He’s no stranger, now, to shiny showbiz events but this was special. The play being premiered was Crouch, …

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The Three Sillies wins 3 Family Arts Festival Awards

Arcola’s contribution to the 2014 Family Arts Festival, THE THREE SILLIES, has won three awards at the Family Arts Festival Awards. Best Overall Family Welcome Best Family Venue Best Family Event/Activity (for The Three Sillies) Stay tuned for an announcement of our 2015 Family Arts Festival programme! Arcola has also signed up to the Family Arts Standards.

Supporters scheme launched

Arcola’s brand new Supporters scheme was launched on June 19 with a reception at the theatre. Mehmet Ergen and Graham Benson, chair of our new Development Board were joined by Arcola Champions, friends and long-term supporters and some brand new founding patrons. Our Trustee Jack Shepherd led on memories about Arcola beginnings, the madness of …

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Arcola announces 2014 Summer season

All shows in our 2014 summer season have been announced today! Starting our season off is Between Us by Sarah Daniels, commissioned by Arcola Theatre and playing in Studio 2. Morphic Graffiti kicks things off in Studio 1 with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, followed shortly after by The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes directed by former …

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Aylin Bozok named Best Newcomer in 2014 WhatsOnStage Opera Poll

Aylin Bozok has been named Best Newcomer in the WhatsOnStage Opera Poll. “If there is a surprise victor this year, it is the young Swiss-Turkish director Aylin Bozok whose shoestring production of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande so impressed audiences last summer at the Arcola Theatre’s Grimeborn Festival. It was full of simply-realised ideas that brilliantly elucidated what …

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Punishment Without Revenge one of The Guardian’s plays of the year

The Guardian writers voted, and we made the cut! Michael Billington voted Punishment Without Revenge as number 2 on his list of Best Theatre of 2013. Punishment Without Revenge has its first Arcola preview this Saturday 11 January, continuing w/c 20 January.

Rave reviews for Sons Without Fathers

“Electrifying” – The Independent ★★★★★ “Not to be missed.” – Whatsonstage ★★★★★ “This is an extraordinary production.” – The Guardian ★★★★ “an emotional joy” – Metro ★★★★ “another extraordinary Chekhov revival…super stuff.” – Time Out ★★★★ “The most daring adaptation of Chekhov you’re likely to see” – Londonist “Miss it at your peril – can’t …

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Arcola wins ‘Most Welcoming Theatre’ award!

We’re pleased to announced that Arcola Theatre was voted ‘Most Welcoming Theatre’ in East London by the general public at the Offies award ceremony on Sunday 24th February. (more)

Sweet Smell of Success wins Whatsonstage Theatregoers Choice Award

Arcola Theatre’s production of Sweet Smell of Success won Marvin Hamlisch a posthumous Whatsonstage Theatregoers Choice Award for Best Original Music. The award was accepted by Terre Blair (Mrs. Marvin Hamlisch) at the Awards Concert Sunday 17 February at the Palace Theatre. Mrs. Hamlisch was accompanied by Mehmet Ergen, Arcola’s Artistic Director and Director of …

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New Studio 2 now open

We’re nearing the completion of our building works, and Studio 2 is now open with but i cd only whisper! Arcola Bar is also open from noon.

Our refurbishments are complete!

We’re pleased to announce that the refurbishments on our building have arrived in time for the opening night of our first production of the season, Dead on Her Feet. Our box office is now relocated back to the foyer. Also, our hugely improved new look bar will be open to the public so feel free …

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