Founded in 1959 in a church hall, Hampstead Theatre has launched the careers of Harold Pinter, Mike Leigh, and dozens of the most significant playwrights of the past six decades.
The Hampstead Theatre is one of London's most important producing theatres, a powerhouse of new writing that has launched the careers of major playwrights and premiered works that went on to the West End and Broadway. From its humble beginnings in a church hall to its acclaimed modern home in Swiss Cottage, this is the story and guide to the Hampstead Theatre.
- Hampstead Theatre is one of London's leading new-writing theatres
- Founded in 1959; moved to its purpose-built Swiss Cottage home in 2003
- Has premiered works by Harold Pinter, Mike Leigh, and many other major figures
- A launchpad for new playwrights and a respected producing house
- Located in Swiss Cottage, easily reached from across North London
- Combine a performance with dinner in Belsize Park or Hampstead
A History of New Writing
Hampstead Theatre was founded in 1959 by James Roose-Evans, beginning life in a church hall before moving to a portable building (a "Portakabin" that became surprisingly beloved) at Swiss Cottage. From the start, its mission was new writing, championing emerging playwrights and premiering original work rather than reviving established classics.
This commitment made it one of the most important crucibles of British theatre. Over the decades, Hampstead Theatre has premiered works by some of the most significant playwrights of the modern era and given early opportunities to writers, directors, and actors who went on to major careers.
A Roll-Call of Talent
Hampstead Theatre's history is studded with major names. Harold Pinter, Mike Leigh, and many other leading figures of British theatre had work staged here, often early in their careers. The theatre's reputation as a place where new writing is nurtured and championed has made it a vital part of London's theatrical ecosystem, a feeder of talent and new work to the wider stage.
Margaret Hughes, a theatre-goer who has held a Hampstead Theatre membership since the 1980s, remembers the old building fondly. "It was a glorified hut, really," she said, "but the work inside it was electric. You'd sit in this ramshackle space and watch a play by someone nobody had heard of, and three years later they'd be the toast of the West End. That's the magic of Hampstead Theatre, you're watching the future of British theatre before anyone else knows it. The new building is beautiful, but the spirit is exactly the same."
The Modern Theatre
In 2003, Hampstead Theatre moved into a purpose-built home in Swiss Cottage, a modern, well-equipped theatre that gave the company the facilities its reputation demanded. The new building includes:
- The Main Stage: A flexible auditorium for the company's principal productions
- Hampstead Downstairs: A studio space for more experimental and intimate work, and for developing emerging writers
- Modern facilities, a bar, and a welcoming front-of-house
The move allowed the theatre to expand its programme while retaining its core identity as a new-writing house. The Downstairs space, in particular, continues the tradition of giving new playwrights a platform, the modern equivalent of the old Portakabin's risk-taking spirit.
The Programme
Hampstead Theatre's programme is built around new writing, world premieres of new plays, alongside occasional revivals and transfers. The work is varied: contemporary drama, political and social plays, comedy, and experimental work in the Downstairs space.
Many productions that begin at Hampstead Theatre go on to transfer to the West End or further afield, a testament to the quality and ambition of the work. For theatre-goers, this means the chance to see new plays at their first outing, often before they achieve wider fame.
For a broader look at theatre options in the area, see the guides to theatre near Hampstead.
Visiting
Location and Getting There
Hampstead Theatre is in Swiss Cottage, on Eton Avenue, a short walk from Swiss Cottage Underground station (Jubilee line). It is easily reached from across North London and central London.
Booking
Tickets are available through the theatre's box office and website. The theatre runs a membership and supporter scheme offering priority booking and other benefits, worthwhile for regular attenders. Popular productions, especially those with well-known writers or casts, sell out, so booking ahead is advised.
Making an Evening of It
A performance at Hampstead Theatre pairs naturally with dinner nearby:
- Belsize Park: A short walk away, with relaxed neighbourhood restaurants
- Hampstead Village: A little further, for the village's restaurants and pubs
- The theatre's own bar is a pleasant spot for a pre- or post-show drink
Practical Information
- Location: Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, NW3
- Nearest Tube: Swiss Cottage (Jubilee line), a short walk
- Spaces: Main Stage and Hampstead Downstairs studio
- Programme: New writing, world premieres, plus revivals and transfers
- Booking: Via the theatre box office and website; membership available
- Best for: Lovers of new drama and contemporary theatre
Hampstead Theatre is a jewel of London's theatrical scene, a theatre that has, for over six decades, devoted itself to the riskiest and most rewarding work in the business: staging the new. From a church hall to a beloved Portakabin to its handsome modern home, its mission has never wavered. For anyone who loves theatre, a visit offers the particular thrill of seeing tomorrow's celebrated plays today, in the house that helped bring them into being.
