Almeida Theatre London

The Almeida Theatre is one of London’s most beloved venues, committed to launching a new generation of British artists and giving them a stepping-stone onto a global platform. Steeped in discovery and investigation from the very beginning, the Almeida was born as the headquarters for the Islington Literary and Scientific Society. Housing a library, reading room, lecture theatre, museum and laboratory, the building served the society for nearly four decades before it slowly morphed into a venue for balls, concerts and public meetings. In 1972, after the building had already lived several lives, a campaign began to turn it into a theatre.

Now listed as a Grade II historic build by English Heritage, the Almeida has been home to new and exciting works of theatre since the 80s, and has provided an early stage for some of Britain’s most vital artists.
Located in the heart of Islington, the Almeida Theatre boasts an international reputation for launching exciting new voices, visionaries and performers. It specialises in work that asks big questions of its audience and the world around us and continues on the building’s original mission: to examine, learn and share. Committed to its values of equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as to its sustainability mission, the Almeida believes that bold new theatre is vital and – most importantly – change-making.

Find out what’s on at the Almeida Theatre below.

Almeida Theatre shows

The Almeida Theatre has hosted a huge range of shows since it opened its doors, from bold adaptations to the most exciting new pieces of British writing. In 2014, the Almeida hosted Lucy Kirkwood’s geopolitical masterpiece Chimerica, directed by Lyndsey Turner, before the show went on to a successful five-time Olivier Award-winning run at the Harold Pinter Theatre and a four-part Channel 4 adaptation. Among the theatres’ many other triumphant new writing debuts is Robert Icke’s The Doctor starring Juliet Stevenson. After a sold-out, multiple five-star run at the Almeida, The Doctor transferred to the Duke of York’s Theatre in 2022.

Many of Britain’s biggest theatrical talents have walked the stage at the Almeida. In 2016, Rupert Goold directed Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave in a gritty Richard III, whilst in 2017 the theatre hosted Robert Icke’s Hamlet, starring Andrew Scott. Icke’s celebrated production transferred with Scott to the Harold Pinter Theatre, where it continued to be praised by critics.

Almeida Theatre awards

The Almeida Theatre has hosted too many Olivier-award winners to name, including Lucy Kirkwood’s Chimerica, Richard Eyre’s adaptation of Ibsen’s Ghosts, Mike Bartlett’s Charles III, and a host of decorated actors, directors and creatives. It continues to be the origin point for many Best New Play and Best New Musical nominees and has even sent shows to Broadway to seek Tony Award glory.

Almeida Theatre location

The Almeida Theatre is located in the heart of Islington, near to the Emirates Stadium and historic Upper Street. You can find it at: Almeida Street, London, N1 1TA. Check out the Almeida Theatre for exciting new writing, bold new adaptations and unforgettable theatrical experiences in the centre of Islington.