A word from Our Artistic Director, Mehmet Ergen and Executive Producer, Leyla Nazli
This season epitomises the eclectic and rousing work that audiences have come to know of Arcola Theatre. From an intimate monologue to an intense two-hander to a showstopping musical – and everything in between. At the core of all these shows are tender and timely explorations of human connection, memory and identity; bringing together compelling new writing, important stories and global voices. We are so pleased to be back to producing almost all of our own shows. This is an exceptional season of work that we are truly proud of – a celebration of both where we have been, and where we are going – please, join us!
Save more when you see more, with our multi-buy offer!
- 2 shows – 10% off
- 3 shows – 20% off
- 4 shows – 25% off
- 5 shows – 30% off
To redeem this offer, simply add tickets for two or more shows from the Spring/Summer season to your basket, and discount will automatically apply. Tickets must be booked in the same transaction to be eligible.
Tarantula
Written by Philip Ridley
“Of course – as you've no doubt guessed – there's a big 'But Then' moment heading this way…” It’s a sunny, spring day in East London. On a street corner, two teenagers kiss. One of them is Toni. This is her first kiss. It makes her very happy. But someone is watching. Someone who doesn’t care about her happiness at all. And they’re about to change Toni’s life… forever. Arcola Theatre presents the live premiere of Philip Ridley’s Tarantula. A startling exploration of identity, memory, love, and the lengths it takes someone to free themselves from the web of their ...
The Double Act
Written by Mark Jagasia
In a crumbling coastal town, a fading comedian is forced to confront his estranged ex-partner - a deranged recluse fixated on their distant heyday—in a tale of guilt, ambition and the ghosts of British show-business. Billy Bash, who gloried in the title of Britain’s Third Most Offensive Comedian, refuses to admit he is in the twilight of his career, his brand of humour unchanged since his 80s family friendly double act with Clifford Biddle came crashing down. Billy went solo; Cliff went to prison. But now, the final night of Billy's tour brings him to the decaying seaside resort of ...
As Long As We Are Breathing
meditations on survival and beyond
"What colour eyes you have doesn't matter to me. Does it have to matter to you? We all love to play don't we?" The world premiere of a new work by Diane Samuels (author of award-winning Kindertransport). AS LONG AS WE ARE BREATHING is a multi-sensory, mixed media and timely evocation of the true-life story of Miriam Freedman. Directed by Ben Caplan, the piece conjures Miriam's childhood experience of living in danger, hiding with some of her family in Slovakia during the Holocaust and charts her journey to London in adulthood where she discovered yoga and meditation which enabled her to face and ...
Cry-Baby, The Musical
Directed by Mehmet Ergen
The Tony-nominated cult classic from the makers of Hairspray makes its all-singing, all-dancing UK-premiere at Arcola Theatre. It's 1954. Everyone likes Ike, nobody likes communism and Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker is the coolest boy in Baltimore. He's a bad boy with a good cause – truth, justice and the pursuit of rock and roll. Enter Allison, a strait-laced rich girl who trades her “Square” boyfriend, Baldwin, for the irresistible allure of Cry-Baby and his misfit crew, the Drapes. As rivalries intensify and hearts break, the city is turned upside-down in a rollicking tale of forbidden love and teen rebellion. With infectious ...
Dear Martin
Written by Madeleine Brettingham
Dave is the long-suffering husband. Martin is the psychopath who’s been exchanging erotic letters with Dave’s wife from a high-security hospital. When Dave finally gathers up the courage to confront him, Martin proposes a bargain: he will help Dave reignite his marriage if Dave helps convince Martin’s psychiatrist he’s actually made a friend. Dear Martin is a darkly comic play about mental health, redemption, and two men finding a moment of connection in their otherwise lonely lives ...
Heisenberg
Written by Simon Stephens
In bustling St Pancras train station, Georgie, a free spirit, impulsively plants a kiss on the neck of Alex, a reserved 70-year-old woman sitting on a bench. When Georgie unexpectedly reappears at Alex’s shop, the older woman is drawn into her unpredictable world, and her once quiet, orderly existence bursts into chaos and newfound vibrancy. Through subtle humour and quiet poetry, Heisenberg unravels the complexities of human relationships, capturing with poignant intimacy the delicate and often comical dance of connection. This radical reimagining of Simon Stephens' classic play, with Alex now cast as a woman, stars Olivier Award-winning Jenny Galloway ...
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives
Adapted for the stage by Rotimi Babatunde
From the novel by Lola Shoneyin
Directed by Femi Elufowoju jr
From the novel by Lola Shoneyin
Directed by Femi Elufowoju jr
A scandalous, engrossing tale of sexual politics and family strife in modern-day Nigeria adapted from Lola Shoneyin's bestselling novel ...
In Other Words
By Matthew Seager
Due to exceptional demand, In Other Words returns to The Arcola for an exclusive one week run. Matthew Seager’s ★★★★★ 4X Moliere Award winning play, seen by over 300,000 people in multiple languages across the globe, examines the power of music, memory and the nature of enduring love.
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54.60 Africa
Conceived and directed by Femi Elufowoju jr
Twelve childhood friends dare each other to discover themselves in Africa. Their journeys traverse 54 countries, countless boundaries and endless risks. Lives, history and destinies are rewritten forever. Exhilarating, cross-cultural pan-African encounters, brought to life through word, live music, song, and dance. 54.60 Africa is inspired by the travels of its author who accomplished visiting every nation in the continent of Africa before his 60th birthday. 54.60 Africa was first developed in partnership with Omnibus Theatre, Hackney Showroom and Bernie Grant Arts Centre with funding from Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants. It was further developed with the support ...