theatre
Foster Wilson Architects, 2022
385 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8GL
what3words: the.foyer.brixton
Brixton House is a modern, purpose-built theatre and cultural hub located in the heart of Brixton, South London, which opened in 2022 as the new iteration of the renowned Ovalhouse Theatre. It features two theatre spaces, rehearsal rooms, and a café-bar, functioning as a community-focused venue dedicated to showcasing new, diverse, and experimental work.
Brixton
Brixton
Visitors can expect a welcoming and relaxed environment. The building is an active cultural venue.
Other
13:00–15:00
A unique behind-the-scenes experience at Brixton House. Explore the building, meet and greet the cast, and finally enjoy the show!
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
In the 1960s, visionary directors Peter and Joan Oliver transformed this club into Ovalhouse, a groundbreaking and inclusive theatre space for local young people, community members and traditionally marginalised artists, writers and performers.
Over the past 50 years, Brixton House (formerly Ovalhouse Theatre) has established an international reputation for pioneering fringe theatre and supporting experimental theatre companies. Snoo Wilson, The Low Moan, the People Show, Hot Peaches, and others have contributed to new forms of theatre and performance in our spaces.
We premiered Howard Brenton’s first play Christie in Love, David Hare was a stage manager and a Director of the touring Portable Theatre, and many young artists discovered their talents and built their careers with us, including Pierce Brosnan, Emil Wolk, Stephen Rae, Jim Sweeney and Chris Bowler.
Ovalhouse Theatre was central to the emergence of gay, lesbian and women’s theatre throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. We staged the seminal theatrical production of A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney, and gave a platform to the voices of many now prominent artists including Stella Duffy, Tamsin Greig and Salman Rushdie. Gay Sweatshop was created at Ovalhouse, producing the first plays of Noel Greig and Philip Osment, alongside companies such as Bloolips and The Gay Times Festival.
In acknowledgement of the connection between community politics and art, the theatre resourced the first Pride Festivals in Kennington Park. We have also been a home and meeting place for social justice groups including the British Black Panther Party, Black Theatre Co-op and the Theatre of Black Women, with notable activists like Beverley Bryan and theatremakers such as Mustapha Matura, Bernardine Evaristo and Paulette Randall as members.
In 2022 Ovalhouse made a definitive step forward in its history and opened the new purpose-built Brixton House. The new modern theatre is located in the heart of Brixton and is a home for creativity and expression.
