Union Theatre, London

The Union Theatre is a fringe theatre situated in the borough of Southwark in London, England. It was established in 1998 by Sasha Regan, and has a reputation for staging musicals.

Sasha Regan and the Peter Brook Empty Space Award, at the Union Theatre

Original premises

In 1998, Sasha Regan took the initiative to convert a disused paper warehouse on Union Street near Southwark station into a functioning theatre.[1] Set beneath railway arches, it was one of the more distinctive theatrical spaces in London. When its landlord, the publicly owned infrastructure body Network Rail, wished to redevelop the site for offices,[2] a campaign was started to save the theatre, and also other small businesses nearby which were given just 12 weeks notice to relocate. The Union Theatre was given a stay of execution.

Relocation

In 2016, after almost twenty years in its original premises, the Union Theatre moved into new Network Rail premises just across the road from its original site.[3] The theatre's new home, which "will keep the heart of the Union intact," offers a restaurant, rehearsal room, and some offices to let. Enhanced facilities include tiered seats and an increased seating capacity.[3]

Production history

The Union has a reputation for staging musicals in its tiny studio space. Some of its productions include Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd[4] and Assassins, Adler and Ross' The Pajama Game, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado (an all-male version)[5] and HMS Pinafore.[6] The Union won the accolade of Best Up-and-Coming Theatre in the 2008 Empty Space Peter Brook Awards.[7] The Union hosted the London premier of a new musical, Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi, in March 2010.

References
  1. "WELCOME - Union Theatre". Uniontheatre.biz. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  2. Merrifield, Nicola. "Union Theatre in Southwark threatened with closure | News". The Stage. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  3. Union Theatre website. Accessed 14 August 2016
  4. Gardner, Lyn (16 November 2008). "Sweeney Todd". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  5. Fiona Mountford (25 July 2008). "The Mikado is a treat - Theatre - Going Out - London Evening Standard". Thisislondon.co.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  6. "HMS Pinafore". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  7. Archived 12 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine


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