# Old Red Lion Pub & Playhouse > Unapologetic Theatre. Strong Drinks. Stories & Mischief. ## Pages - [Armour](https://weareoldred.co.uk/armour/): Armour is an intimate two-hander set within the quiet intensity of a therapy room, where a teenage boy is confronted with the emotional weight he has been carrying in silence. What begins as a guarded and reluctant conversation gradually unfolds into a layered exploration of body image, masculinity, and the pressures of expectation placed on young men today. As the therapist carefully navigates the session, moments of resistance, deflection, and discomfort give way to glimpses of vulnerability. The play examines how emotional “armour” is built, not out of strength, but as a necessary response to shame, judgement, and the fear of […] - [Old Red Lion Theatre Cub](https://weareoldred.co.uk/home/club/): We’re reviving something special! When the theatre first opened in 1979, it wasn’t just a venue — it was a community. A place for performers, creatives and audiences to come together, share ideas, and shape what happened on stage. The Old Red Theatre Club brings that spirit back. This is a new community for theatre-makers and theatre lovers alike — whether you’re performing, writing, directing, or simply love coming to watch. By joining, you’ll stay closely connected to everything happening at the theatre, including: 👉 It’s your one place to stay in the loop and be part of the journey. […] - [We, The Women Wild](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/we-the-women-wild/): “I fear this has turned into something I can no longer control. I never intended to create a prison.” In an isolated community of women, a group of young girls realise there is a world beyond what they know when they discover a man in the woods. Rayah (Grace Hey) is content with life in the commune. Rovin (Emma Cavell King) longs for more. When their mothers deny them answers on what lies beyond the borders, the girls clash. The outside, however, proves to be even more confusing and dangerous than they first thought, when they encounter a man for […] - [kaddish (how to be a sanctuary)](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/kaddish-how-to-be-a-sanctuary/): Care to learn how to curse in Yiddish and witness a reckoning between a Jewish grandson going to do solidarity work in Palestine and his long-passed on grandfather who fought the Nazis in World War II? The play uses the real archival journals of playwright/performer Sam’s grandpa Saul N. Sherman – a Jewish WWII vet from New Jersey and intersperses it with Sam’s own writing. Sam and his dead grandpa have a conversation about everything from resisting fascism to growing up with mobsters – all with the help of a mystical creature from Yiddish folklore. kaddish (how to be a […] - [Gala Night at the Old Red Lion](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/gala-night-at-the-old-red-lion/): The 1st April 2026 marks precisely one year since we took the helm of the historic Old Red Lion Pub & Playhouse. Over the past twelve months we have welcomed an incredible number of artists and audiences through our doors – and we would love to celebrate our first anniversary with the people that made it happen. This informal evening will bring together actors, directors, producers, creatives and crew members as well as our wonderful audiences and friends of the theatre.  Guests will be welcomed from 7pm for a drinks reception in the pub followed by a mixed bill […] - [Stuck In Transit](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/stuck-in-transit/): Christopher is a COO of a big oil company and Joyce is a commissioned photographer working in the fashion industry. They both are now divorced after being married for 20 years. Chris is coming over to get some papers signed regarding their mutually owned properties and how to divide them. Joyce, who is currently living in their mutually owned house, is expecting him, but wants to get rid of the paperwork and Chris at once for good. As they face each other for the first time since their divorce nine months ago things unravel in a way that they didn’t […] - [Mackerel Thursday](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/mackerel-thursday/): Statute #23: No speaking Spanish.Statute #16: No franchise burger consumption.Statute #13: Bulging eyes = Dangerous mind.Statute #11: Tin is King.Statute #10: Deodorant will not be tolerated.Statute #6: Swearing is reserved for Fridays.Statute #5: Bathing is reserved for Shrove Tuesday.Statute #4: Fish will be eaten every Thursday.Statute #2: George will not – under any circumstances – use the toilet without adult supervision.Statute #1: Strictly no outsiders. This is ‘The Constitution’ Cameron and George are safe here. Because there’s nothing for them out there. Nancy’s statutes make sure of that. From supervised toilet trips to the last grain of sugar in Cameron’s tea cup… Nothing. Goes. Unnoticed. But George has started coming home late […] - [Dinner Party Rep: Second Helpings](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/dinner-party-rep-second-helpings/): Dinner Party Rep is a London based repertory theatre company that creates joyful, entertaining and thought provoking theatre designed to make a great night out.  Hot on the heels of their first production ‘The First Course’, Dinner Party Rep are back with a new show… Say hello to your ‘Second Helpings’. An eight scene scratch night, written and performed by members of the company, that will satiate your appetite. Expect hilarity, heart and of course, hunger as we serve up more of what you loved last time. Company Members: Sam Baxter, Callum Cronin, Abigail Mahony, Rufus McGrath, Olivia Mills, Jonas Moore, […] - [Monologues of Men](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/monologues-of-men/): MONOLOGUES OF MEN is a raw, unfiltered theatre experience that gives voice to truths rarely spoken out loud. Written and created by Francis Saunders, this powerful stage production is built from real stories, real confessions, and real emotional landscapes lived by men from all walks of life. Set around a single chair — a place of confession, reflection, and reckoning — each performer steps forward to share a personal truth. Some stories are hard. Some are funny. Some are uncomfortable. All are honest. The piece explores masculinity, vulnerability, identity, shame, silence, pride, trauma, love, regret, and the unspoken pressure many […] - [From Up North](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/from-up-north/): A FLY ON THE WALL have teamed up with The Cat and The Rose to bring you the second edition of ‘From Up North’  celebrating the work of artists prominently from the North of England and outside of London. After the success of our first showcase, last November, one show has been produced for a two week run and another had a full length rehearsed reading. This time round we’ve cast the net further, we’ve got longlisted plays, award winning writers and shows in process of being professionally staged. With a huge range of talent from the North West, Yorkshire, the North East, the Midlands and even as […] - [Miraculous](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/miraculous/): “Imagine like having the power to create the entire world with a handful of sentences, or remotely impregnate a fourteen-year-old virgin, or parting a sea, or any of those like massive, real things, and then like, retiring.” When a youth pastor hellbent on saving souls and a teenager with a penchant for irreverence find themselves thrust into the same room, will their fellowship end in communion or collision? Josh (Luke Stiles) is a high schooler brimming with arrogance, insecurity, and theological angst, and Paul (Diego Zozaya) is a devout young father wrestling with the challenges of spiritual leadership. Over a […] - [Walking Each Other Home](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/walking-each-other-home/): Due to a family crisis, Michael, a gay middle-aged digital nomad, returns home from Peru to visit his homophobic father, Frank. Only Frank is now suffering from early-stage dementia and being cared for by Sandeep – a young, mysterious gay Sikh man. As for Michael – he’s struggling to process unresolved childhood trauma after an overwhelmingly intense ayahuasca ceremony in the Amazon jungle. The stage is set for an emotional roller coaster of a ride… Walking Each Other Home is a tragi-comedy set in the claustrophobic confines of a dilapidated Norfolk cottage on the hottest day ever recorded in the […] - [The Taming of the Shrew](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/the-taming-of-the-shrew/): What if he’s the shrew, and he enjoys the taming? Katherina Minola is full of rage. Rage at the misogynistic society she was born into. Rage at her father for his abusive behaviour and preferential treatment. Rage at her sister for going along with it all. With her father insisting she marry before the beloved Bianca can, Katharina seems doomed to a cold, loveless marriage with anyone who’ll take her. Until Petruchio, a young gentleman from Verona, comes crawling on hands and knees, with a gentle smile and a twinkle in his eye that screams “Peg Me Mommy.” Can Kate […] - [Werewolf Sighted In Port Talbot](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/werewolf-sighted-in-port-talbot/): “I need you to promise me. No matter what you hear, no matter where I am, no matter what you think is happening to me. Do not leave that tent. I’m so f*cking serious Billy. You cannot leave the tent.” “But you have said you can control it? Sometimes. You wouldn’t harm me if I was standing in front of you, would you?” Billy and Ffion are on their first camping trip together as a couple. Billy is a secondary school teacher, who is prepped and ready but nervous about how they will kill time, which constellations he’ll be able […] - [Swell](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/swell/): Jacob Poole is rowing. Across an ocean. Alone. He is live streaming life on the boat, in the hope that his small following will donate to a cause close to his heart. Catapulted into the spotlight as a viral sensation, Jacob realises that rowing might now be the easy bit. As the world watches on, how will he handle this newfound fame? And has he been entirely honest with his followers? Content warnings: Strong language, sexual content & depictions of bodily harm Ticket Information Performance Dates: Weds 18th – Fri 20th March 2026Performance Time: 8.30pmRun Time: 60 minsTickets: £15 / £13 (includes booking […] - [The History Boys](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/the-history-boys/): School. That’s all it is. In my case, anyway. Back to school. Eight boys in pursuit of sex, sport, and a spot at Oxbridge. Four teachers with distinctly different approaches. One moment in time. The chasm between school and university – between boyhood and becoming. Marking the London debut of Australian theatre group Glassroom Company, this new, swirling production of Alan Bennett’s modern classic explores how we preserve memory, and the shaping forces of education and adolescence. What is lost? What is carried forward? What can never quite be reclaimed? CAST Amaan Patel (Akthar), Ben Harvey (Timms), Duncan Hess (Hector), […] - [The Lodger](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/the-lodger/): A Story of the London Fog A young blonde woman screams. She is the seventh victim of a serial killer known as “The Avenger” who targets such ladies on Tuesday evenings… the city is awash with fear & speculation.  The impoverished Bunting’s fortunes are finally turning around when a well-spoken stranger rents their room & shows great affection to their daughter Daisy, a “fashion model” with golden curls.  But who is he?  Marie Belloc-Lowndes’ 1913 novel became Alfred Hitchcock’s first major motion picture in 1927.  This thrilling new stage adaptation pays homage to the art of silent cinema alongside shadow puppetry, an original score […] - [Monday Monologue Club](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/monday-monologue-club/): Our night dedicated to the solo performance is back due to popular demand! Championing the very best in new writing whilst offering a stage to local actors, these monthly evenings will see a range of monologues from standalone speeches to extracts from scripts in development. From the hilarious to the hard-hitting, we seek to support emerging talent from across the industry. If you would like to submit your monologue or show your interest as an actor then please contact jack@weareoldred.co.uk  Join us on a Monday night for an hour of diverse voices with the chance to chat & network […] - [In Bloom](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/in-bloom/): In Bloom follows Peony, a flower bent by the wind, striving to bloom again. Through a single body, the performance gives form to her return to openness, tracing how memory, sensation, and desire live within the body. Created and performed by Louna Palombo, and directed by Sofia Zaragoza with Alara Koroglu as assistant director and text by Kiana Palombo, In Bloom is a solo theatre and movement piece produced by Off The Beat Productions that explores intimacy, femininity, and the body’s capacity to transform. Movement, voice, and music intertwine to create a sensorial world where the flower’s inner landscape becomes […] - [Orange Flower Water](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/orange-flower-water/): “For one second, it looked like they were really one person, but with two bodies. Connected. By invisible threads…” Pine City, Minnesota. 2001. David and Beth are the perfect couple. There’s only one problem: they’re married to other people. When their affair comes to light, both couples must decide to either leave behind a decade of their lives or salvage what’s left of love. Are kids, houses and shared bank accounts enough to hold it together? Or is it time to cut and run? In a comic, explosive examination of love, (in)fidelity and family ties, Craig Wright’s Orange Flower Water […] - [Bad Cat Improv Comedy](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/bad-cat-improv-comedy/): Bad Cat has torn up the rug, knocked your tea off the table, accidentally dialled your ex and also curated the Old Red Lion’s new improv comedy night. Featuring some of the country’s finest off-the-cuff comedians, the show is hosted by improv storytelling maestros The Descendants, stalwarts of the London improv scene since 2018. The Descendants are experts in walking the tightrope of narrative improv comedy. Taking inspiration from your suggestions, they create unique characters, gripping plots and thrilling relationships with a script nowhere in sight. From kitchen sink dramas to dystopian thrillers, no story is ever the same. They […] - [Plotbusters: The Improvised Movie Premiere](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/plotbusters-the-improvised-movie-premiere/): “We’re gonna need a bigger plot…”  London’s least-scripted movie premiere: Plotbusters is returning to the Old Red Lion. Take a seat in the director’s chair and watch as our improvisers produce the next big Hollywood blockbuster from your choice of genre, subgenre, location, and a random trope from our popcorn bucket. From a slasher horror set in an old people’s home, to a dance romance on a space station; prepare for a cinematic adventure with dramatic plot-twists, a fully improvised soundtrack and an endless cast of characters. You (literally) couldn’t write it. Audiences are calling Plotbusters: The Improvised Movie Premiere […] - [Play Reading: Mrs Burns' Black Range](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/play-reading-mrs-burns-black-range/): The story of a working class Catholic family from Belfast, spanning a period of 100 years from the late 19th century until the present. A War of Independence, two World Wars, the Spanish Civil War and ‘the Troubles’ all impact on the lives of the widowed Mrs Burns and her family. Seamus Finnegan has written over 30 stage plays . They have been produced in London, Israel and the USA. Past productions at Old Red Lion include I am of Ireland, Murder in Bridgeport, Diaspora Jigs, Soldiers. Written by Seamus Finnegan. Directed by Ken McClymont. Ticket Information Performance Dates: Sunday […] - [Play Reading: Silly Girl](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/play-reading-silly-girl/): In Silly Girl, new mum Vicky is haunted by a traumatic birth. Something feels off about what happened to her and she is determined to seek answers. After her ambitious doctor fails to address her concerns, she turns to other avenues, and her pursuit of justice and to be seen sets off an explosive chain of events beyond her control. She unwittingly becomes the face of a public movement, though her rise also spells the doctor’s spectacular downfall. Vicky is finally more seen than ever, but is what transpires really justice or has her new ‘movement’ betrayed her original personal […] - [Play Reading: The Wayback Machine](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/play-reading-the-wayback-machine/): Helen and Bri have been together for a long time now. They know each other better than they know themselves. Who better, then, to bring Bri back from the dead in case he inconveniently, well, dies? The Wayback Machine is a new tragi-comedy about memories and love and grief and long-term relationships and parents and everything really. It’s the debut play from the writer and clown Jacob Lovick, who is not, as of writing, dead. Ticket Information Performance Dates: Saturday 31st January 2026Performance Time: 4pmRun Time: 90 minsTickets: £10 Buy Tickets - [Play Reading: Fits The Brief](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/play-reading-fits-the-brief/): Rafi just wants to leave the house. One night out. One birthday gathering. One attempt at seeming like a functioning, effortlessly interesting adult. Yet somehow even that feels impossible. Every outfit, every opinion, every tiny choice must fit the brief, a private set of rules he and his friend invented to define what is cool, clever and culturally aware. It was meant to be fun. It has become a trap. As Rafi gets ready, his bedroom shifts into a playground for his insecurities, his fantasies and the versions of himself he wishes he could be. Imagined conversations clash with real […] - [Many Ways To Skin A Cat](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/many-ways-to-skin-a-cat/): Vera has a story to tell you. It’s about how she was coasting through her early 30s in a weird job, dreaming of becoming a famous writer, when she was handed a game-changing opportunity by a sorry-but-quite-fit producer. Only snag: potentially having to betray the trust of her favourite person, her beloved grandmother. This is a story about how Vera set out to ‘build a monument’ to her grandmother’s legacy, but only if it made Vera rich and famous at the same time. It’s a story about how she failed at all those things. And how THAT became the story.  […] - [Born Traitor](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/born-traitor/): ‘…this wasn’t the guy I’d written music with, performed on stage with…cried with at our friend’s funeral. He was something else. It was that look in his eyes when he saw the blood from his lip. His pupils were so tiny, he looked like an animal…’ Witch House Dreamers are a fictional British-American band who managed to find success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. With their blend of hard rock and dark psychedelia, nihilistic horror-inspired lyrics and being led by frontman Gary Machen, they seemed unstoppable. Even after two tragedies struck the band and nearly caused a break-up, they […] - [The Paper Doll House](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/the-paper-doll-house/): When the doorbell rings at a crumbling Hollywood mansion in 1956, we witness first hand the tumultuous relationship between a suffocating stage mother and her silent film star daughter, Mary Miles Minter. Mary Miles Minter, a former silent film star, and her mother, Charlotte Shelby, a former stage actress and lifelong stage mother, could never shake the suspicion that they were responsible for William Desmond Taylor’s murder. This remains an unsolved murder to this day; rumours circulated, but no one was ever brought to justice, and the scandal has followed them ever since. The Paper Doll House explores the very […] - [The Greater Good Company](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/the-greater-good-company/): “OK, cool. But to what degree could this really change the world?” “To what degree is that our problem?” Sigma Solutions has been working for years to deliver on extraordinary commissions from every corner of the socially-aspirational world. Missing a plane? They’ve got you. Curious about ‘solving’ emotions? So are they. Needing an immortality fix? They’ll at least try. In our overwhelming, ever-darkening world, reliable torchbearers are more precious than ever. But even if you’re a lifelong ‘good egg’, what happens when your own career high has the potential to be a planetary low? Inspired by real-life stories of political […] - [Proposals](https://weareoldred.co.uk/home/proposals/): Perform at the Old Red Lion Theatre We are currently accepting proposals for Summer 2026 but if you are thinking of September to November next year already please get in touch  PRODUCTION PROPOSALS The Old Red Lion Theatre programmes full production runs of between 3 to 4 weeks, as well as Sunday/Monday shows and the occasional shorter run. For longer runs, we tend to programme up to 6 months in advance, sometimes longer, as it can often be necessary to enable companies to raise the full budget of their production. Please be aware that we prioritise proposals from companies and artists who are […] - [About Us](https://weareoldred.co.uk/about-us/): The Old Red Lion Theatre first opened its doors in 1979, and is now one of London’s oldest and most loved theatre venues. Please help us celebrate our 46th year by coming along and supporting the work of our artists.  We are the Off-West End home of exceptional, ambitious and challenging theatre, ranging from world premieres of new plays to acclaimed revivals of significant productions from throughout history. We support the UK’s most exciting artists at crucial stages of their careers, presenting work that challenges our audiences and connects us to communities rarely given the opportunity to be seen on stage. This focus firmly establishes […] - [Your Visit](https://weareoldred.co.uk/your-visit/): TICKET ENQUIRIES For all ticket enquiries please contact theatre@weareoldred.co.uk TICKETS If you have purchased a ticket for any performance on our website you do not need to print it out (save the trees) – you simply need to show the ticket on your phone/device or provide the name on the booking to enter the theatre.  Tickets are available for purchase from the Bar for any performances on the same date unless sold out.  Doors Open Five Minutes Before Show Time! Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the performance begins to allow time to purchase drinks and buy a ticket form the bar […] - [GrimFest 2026](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/grimfest/): A celebration of dark & twisted theatre in the bleeding heart of London! Now entering it’s frightful fifth year, our horror festival has grown in size and terror since we began in 2022 at the haunted Old Red Lion Pub & Playhouse. Last year we partnered with the wonderful Barons Court Theatre and Bread & Roses Theatre to host even more grim plays, cabarets, musicals and even clowning, puppets and interactive shows. And we are thrilled to say they will hosting companies again this Halloween season, as well as our all new fourth venue Drayton Arms Theatre If you are […] - [GrimFest Scratch Night](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/grimfest-scratch-night/): A celebration of dark & twisted theatre in the bleeding heart of London – GrimFest returns for its fifth consecutive year at the decidedly haunted Old Red Lion Pub Theatre! This is our biggest festival so far and we have lots of exciting news coming your way… Applications open for this years festival on the 13th April. Before they close at the end of the month we are showcasing the very best in upcoming horror theatre in a night of specially curated extracts from work-in-progress productions. Expect extracts from new scripts, snatches of cabaret, storytelling, comedy and more! This Scratch […] - [Digging Up Appearances](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/digging-up-appearances/): She’s Back! Britain’s biggest snob & social climber Hyacinth is at long last resurrected for the ultimate candlelight supper… of human flesh! When her beloved son, Sheridan, unintentionally summons his dearly departed mother, the lady of the house finds a new lease of afterlife alongside a newly acquired taste for brains. With fresh determination, Hyacinth seeks to elevate her darling boy into the sphere of the upper classes, if only she can avoid devouring a few upstanding members of society on the way! Think Death Becomes Her meets Shaun of the Dead in this loving horror parody of the classic sitcom, celebrating thirty-five years […] - [FreshFest](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/freshfest-2026/): A celebration of brand new theatre.  19th January -8th February 2026 Now in it’s fourth year, FreshFest provides a platform for companies, playwrights & creatives to debut their new productions or scripts in our award-winning theatre to showcase the very best in fresh talent. The festival is now over for 2026 but will return in February of next year. For enquiries please contact freshfestorl@gmail.com Curated & Produced by MediumRare Productions - [Film Club 4 Life](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/film-club-4-life/): Film Club 4 Life is a D.I.Y. community film club screening an eclectic array of community submitted films from narrative shorts to visualisers, art films and video poems – all have a home here.  After a short hiatus, we are delighted to be back and running our bi-monthly sessions at the iconic Old Red Lion Theatre Pub.  Each session celebrates creativity, collaboration, and the joy of watching films together, in a relaxed setting. And best of all, Film Club 4 Life is completely free to attend – as is the fresh homemade popcorn!  Film making and enjoying should be accessible to everyone, […] - [Scratch Cymru 4](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/scratch-cymru/): A celebration of both emerging and established Welsh talent in London. This all new scratch night aims to bring together a diverse collective of creatives across theatre, music and film, championing voices often lost to the wider artistic landscape of Britain. The evening will feature a curated line-up of short, work-in-progress pieces across various art forms. After the sharing, there will be a chance for informal conversation and audience feedback, helping the artists refine their work in a supportive environment. Whether you’re looking to present a new idea or watch creative emerging pieces from Welsh talent – Scratch Cymru is the […] - [What's On](https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/): Mackerel Thursday The History Boys GrimFest Scratch Night Monday Monologue Club Walking Each Other Home Scratch Cymru 4 Film Club 4 Life kaddish (how to be a sanctuary) We, The Women Wild Armour GrimFest 2026 FreshFest - [Home](https://weareoldred.co.uk/): We Are Old Red 600 years young. Strong drinks, hand-made Neapolitan-style pizzas, and unapologetic fringe theatre.The past lives here — and it drinks. The Old Red Six centuries of stories, strong drinks, and lively theatre — all under one roof. Born in 1415. Reborn countless times since. The Old Red is Islington’s home for pints, pizzas, and plays — where rebels, writers, and regulars have gathered for generations. What to Expect at the Old Red 🍕 The PubPints poured with care. Hand-made Neapolitan-style pizzas fired hot and fresh every day. Whether you’re here for drinks, dinner, or a pre-show catch-up, […] - [Privacy Policy](https://weareoldred.co.uk/privacy-policy/): Privacy Notice The Old Red Lion Theatre Pub collects data from visitors throughout the website experience. This is largely to provide interactive functionality that would otherwise be impossible without collecting the minimum amount of data. Some data is also used to analyse your experience anonymously to improve the website experience. The Old Red Lion Theatre Pub respects your privacy so we will not sell your data to third parties, allow any access to the data that isn’t necessary to honour any other contracts we have in place or store excessive amounts of data we no longer need. The Old Red […] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)