Tabard Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Tabard Theatre is an intimate, 80 seat theatre located in Chiswick
in the London Borough of Hounslow
. Close to Turnham Green Underground station, it is situated above the Tabard public house
which was built in 1880 by the architect Norman Shaw
for the Bedford Park Estate
. The upper walls of the public house are covered in arts and craft tiles by William De Morgan
, and the fireplaces have surrounds of tiles created by Walter Crane
– an early example of Art Nouveau
.
.
It created a strong reputation for new writing but also developed into a breeding ground for experimental theatre
and alternative comedy
.
Since 2005 the theatre has undergone extensive refurbishment work which is now complete. At the end of 2007, the Tabard Theatre started to produce in house making it one of the few theatres to do so in a studio theatre with no central funding. In 2009, New Boy, (a co-production at the Tabard Theatre back in April 2008), transferred to the West End; In 2010, Wolfboy
followed its steps.
The Tabard Theatre plays host to its own productions, presents co-productions with other theatre companies as well as receiving work from across the world as a receiving house.
It has also gained a reputation as an ideal venue for comedians to try out new work prior to major tours, and well known names such as Russell Brand
, Harry Hill
, Russell Howard
, Dara Ó Briain
and Al Murray
have all played there.
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
in the London Borough of Hounslow
London Borough of Hounslow
-Political composition:Since the borough was formed it has been controlled by the Labour Party on all but two occasions. In 1968 the Conservatives formed a majority for the first and last time to date until they lost control to Labour in 1971. Labour subsequently lost control of the council in the...
. Close to Turnham Green Underground station, it is situated above the Tabard public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
which was built in 1880 by the architect Norman Shaw
Richard Norman Shaw
Richard Norman Shaw RA , was an influential Scottish architect from the 1870s to the 1900s, known for his country houses and for commercial buildings.-Life:...
for the Bedford Park Estate
Bedford Park, London
Bedford Park is a suburban development in west London, England. It forms a conservation area that is mostly within the London Borough of Ealing, with a small part to the east within the London Borough of Hounslow. The nearest underground station is Turnham Green .-History:It can be justly described...
. The upper walls of the public house are covered in arts and craft tiles by William De Morgan
William De Morgan
William Frend De Morgan was an English potter and tile designer. A lifelong friend of William Morris, he designed tiles, stained glass and furniture for Morris & Co. from 1863 to 1872. His tiles are often based on medieval designs or Persian patterns, and he experimented with innovative glazes and...
, and the fireplaces have surrounds of tiles created by Walter Crane
Walter Crane
Walter Crane was an English artist and book illustrator. He is considered to be the most prolific and influential children’s book creator of his generation and, along with Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway, one of the strongest contributors to the child's nursery motif that the genre of...
– an early example of Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
.
Early years
It was licensed for theatre use in 1985 and was founded by a group of playwrights, one of whom is Sheila DeweySheila Dewey
Sheila Dewey is a British playwright, writing for theatre since 1982. In 1991 she received the Thames Television Theatre Writers' Award, and in 1992 was awarded an Arts Council Bursary...
.
It created a strong reputation for new writing but also developed into a breeding ground for experimental theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
and alternative comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
.
Later years
It is now under new leadership of Pulling Focus Ltd, joint artistic directors Fred Perry and Colin Hilton, and general manager Simon Reilly.Since 2005 the theatre has undergone extensive refurbishment work which is now complete. At the end of 2007, the Tabard Theatre started to produce in house making it one of the few theatres to do so in a studio theatre with no central funding. In 2009, New Boy, (a co-production at the Tabard Theatre back in April 2008), transferred to the West End; In 2010, Wolfboy
Wolfboy
Wolfboy is a musical with music and lyrics by Leon Parris and book by Russell Labey, based on the play by Brad Fraser. Its story concerns two teenagers committed to an asylum: Bernie has tried to commit suicide and David believes he's a werewolf. The musical addresses psychiatric disorders, abuse,...
followed its steps.
The Tabard Theatre plays host to its own productions, presents co-productions with other theatre companies as well as receiving work from across the world as a receiving house.
It has also gained a reputation as an ideal venue for comedians to try out new work prior to major tours, and well known names such as Russell Brand
Russell Brand
Russell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
, Harry Hill
Harry Hill
Harry Hill , is a Perrier Award–winning English comedian, author and television presenter. A former medical doctor , Hill began his career in comedy with the popular radio show Harry Hill's Fruit Corner.-Personal life:Hill was born in Woking,...
, Russell Howard
Russell Howard
Russell Joseph Howard is an English comedian best known for his TV show Russell Howard's Good News and his appearances on the topical panel TV show Mock The Week...
, Dara Ó Briain
Dara Ó Briain
Dara Ó Briain is an Irish stand-up comedian and television presenter, noted for hosting topical panel shows such as The Panel and Mock the Week....
and Al Murray
Al Murray
Alastair James Hay "Al" Murray , is a British comedian best known for his stand-up persona, The Pub Landlord, a stereotypical xenophobic public house licensee. In 2003, he was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy...
have all played there.
External links
- Tabard Theatre – Official website