A new 900 seat theatre overlooking Tower Bridge is set to open in the spring of 2017, as a result of the partnership between the former National Theatre team, Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr. The pair’s new London Theatre Company is the brains behind the new venture, in an iconic and and brave venture.
The venue, which – according to the London Theatre Company’s website – will answer the needs of contemporary audiences and theatre-makers alike, will also provide a playing house which is both innovative and most certainly eye-catching. It will be part of the One Tower Bridge development which is taking place, and will be designed by Steve Tompkins and Roger Watts of Haworth Tompkins. The architects previously worked with Hytner and Starr on the NT Future renovation of the National Theatre, in addition to the NT’s Temporary Theatre.
Following 12 years of leading the world renowned National Theatre, Hytner – who himself has won an Olivier Award – left the organisation following a number of impressive achievements. Starr himself left in 2014, and during their time at the venue between them the pair introduced initiatives such as the Travelex seasons, NT Live and produced hit productions including War Horse; One Man, Two Guvnors and The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time.
It is hoped that the new theatre will be a home for ambitious new work predominantly, providing the ‘modern comfort and facilities’ that will introduce new audiences, playwrights, directors and actors to the capital’s audiences. The Tower Bridge theatre is not the only venture the pair have set their sights on; their ambitions reach far beyond the development, despite it becoming their flagship theatre. In the years following its opening, the pair hope to launch other theatres of different scales following similar principles.